Entertainment is a huge industry and in the three largest markets in the world, Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood, the sector is a contributor to the gross domestic product in their respective countries. In Nigeria, film and comedy are the industry movers and talents are cashing-in on a grand scale.
One of such is Adokiye Fubara David West Horsfall, better known as Romeo WJ, who made his entrance into stand-up comedy in Nigeria professionally in 2016.
For emphasis sake, comedy in Nigeria, particularly skit making, is designed for acts who are super talented. ‘The talented’ are the ones who can survive the constant battle for recognition and produce highly captivating, creative contents; a thing that has Romeo WJ stand-out among the rest.
Romeo WJ, who is a success story today in the creative sector, has on many occasions emphasised the essence of talent as a criteria for making it like himself, through doggedness and consistency.
In a recent interview, the Rivers State University of Technology graduate, stated that comedy is “big business”, in so much that he is planning to further explore his acting skill for further profitability.
Though he started skit-making professionally in 2016, and signed to Kings Nation two years later, less than six years down the line, the Rivers State-born act now owns his production house known as the “Jocker’s House”, one of his major achievement and breakthrough in his career.
“Because the gift of ones hands is what opens greatness, being signed to a label does not make much difference, because after they make available the platforms and finance to push the creative (content creator) it still lays in his or her hands to pull the craft through by creating engaging contents,” Romeo WJ said.
“First of, it was majorly stand-up comedy, then the need for growth and creativity came in, so I ventured into skit making though I was inspired by my mentor and boss Basket Mouth.
“My first skit was “Itubo” on YouTube which also got trending on terrestrial TV stations, and then I started creating 15sec skits on Instagram then on Facebook too. And we are here today still kicking by His grace”.
Romeo WJ added: “There is much more money in the gift of a man. So yeah, the comedy business is a big, big market. I plan not to aim at Nollywood alone but Hollywood.
