The comedy industry in Nigeria has come a long way, despite the initial problems that confronted the founding fathers at the early stages of their comic career as most of them persevered and today comedy has become a thriving and lucrative business in Nigeria’s entertainment clan, generating wealth for the country and providing job opportunities to many upcoming talents who now see as role models.

These early comedians such as Julius Agwu, Basket Mouth, Gandoki I Go Die, I Go Save, Seye The Law, Ali Baba, Maleke among others on their own part, have not only gained national and international awards, recognition and fame, but wealth as well. Some are even brand ambassadors, while others are ambassadors of telecommunication giants such as MTN, GLO, Etisalat among others.

However, apart from these older comedians, there are other young enterprising comedians in the country today, such as is Prince Hezekiah. This Buguma-born rave of the moment has become a house hold name as he has not only taken comedy to the next level, but has touched many lives through his humorous jokes which have brought joy and relaxation to many.

In a recent interview with The Tide Entertainment, this entertainment entrepreneur took us down memory lane on his chosen career. According to him, before joining the comedy industry he had a brief stint with Nollywood where he played minor roles (waka pass) in some movies namely “Oriaja,” “Mad Prophet” etc. He is also a professional dancer and has taken part in various competitions where he won awards.

Prince Hezekiah, however, came into limelight through comedy when he featured in a Night of Thousand Laughs in 2008. This comedy show started here in Port Harcourt before it moved to Lagos. After that, he had featured in several comedy shows within and outside the state. They include Basket Mouth’s Glo Lords of the ring, Julius Agwu’s Crack Your Ribs” and All Stars Comedy Jam, featuring Julius Agwu, Clint the Drunk, Gandoki, I Go Die, I Go Save, and Maleke among others.

He has also entertained in Calabar annual carnival comedy shows in most of the popular churches in Port Harcourt, including Salvation Ministries. The humour merchant is also known for his performances involving multinational oil giants such as SPDC, Agip NLNG Bonny etc as well as other parts of the country such as Abuja, Lagos, Warri and Bayelsa.

His escapedes in the comedy industry have earned him various awards, such as the Best Comedian award by the Niger Delta Advancement Awards, Best Comedian by Media Afrik 2009, Rivers State Tourism Ambassador etc, he is currently the comedian with the highest number of awards in Rivers State which he attributes to hard work and the grace of God. He sees those awards as his greatest achievements.

On his comedy show, “project laugh,” slated for 2nd September 2013 at the Aztrech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt, he said, the aim is to rebrand comedy in Rivers State, because the state is lacking behind in the industry, so he intends to use the occasion to showcase some upcoming talents who are not known or recognised. He said it is the 3rd edition and it is going to be the biggest comedy show in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the show will be an eye raiser, a gospel invasion and a generational change featuring 25 comedians from 9 states including Abuja, Lagos and Warri. He assured that it would be a night of laughter, fun and relaxtion and the best of its kind in recent times.

The homour legend, however, urged indigenes of the state to support their brothers in the comedy clan. According to him, the talents abound in the state, but we prefer outsiders that is why most of the indigenous comedians are not known hence they do not benefit from the profession.

He disclosed that many people have approached him to relocate from Port Harcourt, but he refused, because of the opportunities here, so he cannot move to another region to become a servant just because he wants fame. According to him, you can be famous where ever you are if you work hard enough because when preparation meets opportunity, it becomes prosperity.