Senator set for debut comic show in Lagos

Popularly known as ‘Senator The Comedian’, Bethel Njoku is set for his debut comedy show tagged Senator: Most Distinguished. He noted that the show will be anchored by Bunmi Davies and will parade A-list acts on the Nigerian comedy and music scene.

A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Jos, Njoku hails from Imo State. The father of one said he was born in Minna, but spent most of his life in Jos, Plateau State, “I am a father, a husband, a friend and a client to some people. But the truth is, I am a guy and a human being”.

Speaking on his upbringing, Senator, who comes from a family of nine, says his upbringing was just like any average Nigerian child born in the late 1970s and early 1980s. “My father worked for government as a civil servant, while my mother is a nurse. We were brought up to believe in ourselves and always live for the truth, and of course, education is paramount. We are all graduates, some don even do their Masters degree but fear never gree me do my own”.

On his venture into comedy, he said his love for the arts, especially comedy started while he was still in the university.

“I got inspired by my cousin Sam; he was studying Theatre Arts then and I was just a comic act back in school. I never did well in tragic roles because people would end up laughing at the roles I play. So, I switched to comedy to properly express myself, because I am also a good storyteller.”

Venturing into what he likes doing best, Senator ran into some brick walls. His parents would not hear talk about being a comedian because they believed one could never make a career out of it.

“I faced the challenge of practicing because my father never believed this comedy was a career worth pursuing. He felt it was for lazy people, but today, he is one of my fans. He calls me each time I am on TV.

“I also faced the challenge of acceptance when I moved from Jos to Lagos. It was like ‘another Jos boy’ has come to take food off our tables. Which is true anyway, if you check the role call … P-Square, MI, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Ik Ogbonna, Funnybone, MC Shakara, Mike Godson, the list is endless, we all came from Jos,” he said.

On his up coming comedy show titled, Senator: Most Distinguished, in MUSON Centre, which will be his debut show in Lagos, he said, “this time I have succumbed to the pressure from fans to stage my own show in Lagos. It’s going to be an A-class event produced by the ever blazing Bunmi Davies.”

According to him, the show will feature comedy acts like Alibaba, Okey Bakassi, Gordons, Funnybone and Daniel the humorous and a few musical acts. “It’s a comedy show not a music concert, I am doing my best to have a good show, but most importantly I am trusting God,” he added.

Senator believes marriage is a serious affair that should never be discussed in public. So, he has decided never to talk about his wife and children.

“Unfortunately, my marriage is not a social media one. As such, I don’t put my family on display, I keep my family off my public business,” he said.

Advising upcoming comedians, he said: “They should properly ask themselves the motivation behind their comedy act. If its passion, then they can go on, but if it is for business, or mere admiration or fame, then they should please prepare their CV and invest their time in another job before it is too late”.