Actor, movie producer, director and comic, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly called Okey Bakassi, is a role model to many young Nigerians. In this interview with our Reporter, Lucy Ezeliora, he takes us through the journey of his life. Enjoy vintage Okey Bakassi.
Okey Bakassi
How did you come about the stage name, Okey Bakassi?
My parents named me Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule. But my friends know me as Okey Bakassi. I did not choose the ‘Bakassi’; my friends in the entertainment business did. The real name is Anthony. I was looking at a catchy and easy name for my fans to pick irrespective of their tribe or wherever they are from. That was how the coinage, Okey McAnthony came up. Okey, from Okechukwu; Anthony is my real name but I borrowed the ‘Mc’ from my University days and added it to the Anthony. That was how I came up with McAnthony.
You don’t talk much about the woman in your life. Why?
The reason I don’t talk about my wife is to protect her from the press. All I can tell you is, I’m a family man and have lovely children.
Let’s talk about your background, what part of Nigeria are you from?
I’m the first son of five children. I was born on October 23, 1969 to Mr. Livinus Onyegbule, retired military personnel and my mother’s name is Felicia Onyegbule, a nurse. I had my primary education at Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School, Owerri and secondary education at, Mbaise Secondary School, also in Imo State. My University education was at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, where I studied agricultural engineering. I graduated in 1992 and did my National Youth Service in Lagos.
How long have you been in the comedy business?
For about 20 years.
Many comedians today have their own shows but nothing has been heard from you. Are you not thinking of having your own show?
When the brand, Okey Bakassi started, we did all the things people are doing now. I had Laughter Fiesta. We even did the Canadian edition before we rested it. I’ve been here long enough to know that I want to do what I want to do and not because my colleagues are doing it.
What prompted your interest in the entertainment business?
It has always held special attraction for me. I started entertainment when I was in the university. I actually started in my days at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt but it became more prominent when I went into the University and joined a group, “Theatre Kolleagues” I was involved in stage plays and stand-up comedy plays. But those were the amateur days. We weren’t doing it to earn money; but for fun. After National Youth Service, I stayed back in Lagos. God led me to a popular movie producer and director, Zeb Ejiro, who in 1993 gave me my first opportunity to appear on a network television production, “Fortunes” wherein I played Nick, one of the Johnsons’ bodyguards. I featured in about 11episodes of the soap opera before the home video industry took the centre stage.
Lets reminiscence over your early days in Lagos
I started as a beginner; was a mobile squatter because I couldn’t afford to rent an apartment . At a point, I came close to living under the bridge. There was this particular night; I had nowhere to sleep, so I went to my friend who was living at Amuwo-Odofin at that time. I was on the street with no particular destination in mind; I didn’t know where to pass the night but after talking to his family members, I was told to stay. To me, it was one of the greatest favours, anybody did for me. They accommodated me for months. When I was ready to go, they didn’t want me to leave. I moved into my one-room apartment at Palmgrove in 1996. It was from Palmgrove, I moved to Festac Town where I got a better apartment.
Was it lack of job that made you become a comic?
No way! I had offers but knew I wouldn’t have time to do my own thing if I took on any job.
Tell us how you got involved in politics?
I got into politics by accident. When I went into politics, the politicians saw another kind of person. They said they thought I was just a comedian. I was never involved in partisan politics. When I arrived government house as special adviser to the last governor, I started learning. My eyes opened to the challenges of governance. I realised it wasn’t proper to just sit down and criticise the government. I decided I could effect a change. To do that, I had to go through a party that would select me as its candidate. It was at the stage of the primaries, I was removed.
So how did you meet the former Governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim?
The nightshift governor, Ken-Celebs Olumese organised his usual Grand House Reception (GHR) for the Governor and I was invited. I had an event at the Island that day. By the time I got to the venue, the event had already started. Based on personal recognition, I was allowed in. During the interactive session, I contributed. I told the Governor certain things he could do to leverage on the abundance of talents in the State. When he was responding, he offered me the job as a special adviser and said I should come to Owerri to pick up my appointment letter.
Tell us how you started featuring in comedy movies?
Somebody came and said he wanted to do a musical video, Love Without Language. We went on set. It turned out to be more of a comedy movie. The success of that movie made them to shoot a sequel. It was so hilarious that when Nkem Owoh wanted to do Pam Pam Pam, he came looking for me. The movie was also successful that he also came looking for me when he shot Yogo Pam Pam. He followed it with Kiss me quick. In my early days in the industry, I didn’t do comedy. It just happened that when the comedy movies came out, they sold very well and people started doing more of comedy. That was how I started comedy movies.
Can you share with us some of your experiences in your days in politics?
The most corrupt people in Nigeria today are not the politicians but the civil servants. Politics made me stronger. It was a new experience: challenging as it was rewarding. It opened up a whole new world I never knew existed. You know how other people would sit back and assume whatever we can about politics and governance and politicians. It made me see public service in a different light. People get the kind government they deserve. If the government is bad in Nigeria, the people decided to elect the bad government. People always shy away from talking about their contributions to the act of governance.
The most a governor can do is eight years in government and he is gone. But the civil servants are there forever. They are the ones who corrupt the system. The permanent secretaries are always there. The directors would never wish to go on transfer. You would see a director in the Ministry of Lands; owning more property than any governor. If he is asked to vacate that seat, the governor that removed him becomes bad. The civil service law makes it difficult to fire them even when they are incompetent.