Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, has opened up about the challenges he faced from his family, particularly his father, regarding his choice to pursue a career in comedy.
In a revealing interview with VJ Adams, Sabinus recounted that his father had always envisioned him becoming a lawyer. Determined to follow his father’s wishes, he initially attempted to gain admission to study law but was unsuccessful. As a result, he opted for Linguistics and Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, a path that would eventually lead him to discover his true calling.
Discovering his gift
During his time at university, Sabinus realised he had a talent for making people laugh. He began experimenting with skits, posting them online, and performing wherever he could. Despite his growing passion for comedy, financial success was slow, and he struggled to make ends meet in the early stages of his career.
Sabinus explained that when his father eventually found out about his involvement in skit-making, he was initially very upset. The elder Ejekwu expressed regret for funding his son’s education, dismissing comedy as a “stupid business” and lamenting that the boy he had hoped would become a lawyer had instead chosen an unconventional path.
He narrated …
“At first, my dad never wanted me to be what I am today; he wanted me to be a lawyer. I tried my best but I couldn’t secure a law admission. So, I had to settle for Linguistics and Communication Studies at Uniport.
It was on the campus that I saw skit making and I decided to try it out. Money wasn’t coming at first.
After I graduated, my dad never knew I was a comedian because I was hiding it. It was one more year after school that he started seeing me on comedy show posters. My sisters confirmed to him that I was into comedy. He was very furious. He fumed, ‘Which comedy? Stupid business. Look at the boy I sent to become a lawyer.’”
Despite the initial tension, Sabinus shared that his father gradually came around. As Sabinus began earning from his skits and sharing some of his earnings with his family, his father’s attitude shifted. He eventually became supportive of his son’s career, proud of the recognition and success that Sabinus had achieved through hard work, creativity, and persistence.
Sabinus’s story reflects not only the challenges of pursuing a non-traditional career in Nigeria but also the importance of persistence, talent, and eventually earning the support of one’s family through dedication and success.