Comedian, Chibuike Josh Alfred, aka Josh 2 Funny and Madam Felicia, speaks with TOFARATI IGE about his career
How exactly did comedy start for you?
I wouldn’t say I was born a comedian, but when I was in secondary school, I used to do a bit of comedy. I was also a part of the literary and debating society. Whenever we had special events, I would crack jokes about the things I had read in the newspaper. At that point, I didn’t know that comedy could be a business; I just took it as a hobby. But along the line, people started telling me that I would make a good comedian and I decided to give it a try since it was something I knew how to do. I started professionally by performing in churches and other social events.
It seems you get the idea for your jokes from the church you attend…
I was born into Deeper Christian Life Bible Church, but it’s not really about the church that I attend. It is more about the fact that I’m an Igbo boy and I know the way Igbo people usually turn songs upside down.
Which was your hit joke that made people start taking notice of you on social media?
It was a joke I did with another comedian, Longman. In the video, I acted as his mother and when I slapped him, he started rotating and singing the popular Christian chorus, ‘I can see everything turning around for my good.’
What is your educational qualification?
I studied Computer Science at the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba. After that, I studied photography for about two years, and I attended a school of performance arts, Qban Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Is comedy your full-time job?
Yes. But I also have a studio where I produce songs and videos. I compere events too.
Why did you decide to dress like a woman?
I don’t dress like a woman; I only put on female attire to record my videos because I play the typical Igbo woman. Dressing like a woman makes the jokes funnier and people are able to relate with it. In real-life, I’m a full-blooded man and I like women.
Do you face any peculiar challenges because you dress like a woman?
Yes. Some people think that I’m gay because I wear female clothing. But I’m still letting people know that this is just comedy. Even when I perform on stage, I wear men’s clothing. I usually give an example of Tyler Perry, who has been acting as Madea, a woman, for a long time and it doesn’t mean he is homosexual.
Has any homosexual ever wooed you?
Yes. There was a time a guy sent me a message on social media and was asking if I like men. I told him that if he sent me any more messages, I would pray and he would go blind. The guy ran away after that.
Do Christians criticise you for bastardising some Christian hymns?
Funnily, they don’t criticise me and I’m even surprised that it has not happened. My parents are actually pastors and they don’t see anything wrong with what I’m doing; they know I’m just doing my job.
Who are your role models and mentors?
I was under the mentorship of Koffi for five years. I also look up to Basketmouth.
Is there any discrimination between online comics and stand-up comedians?
Yes. Some guys are not really comedians; they just make skits. People like that often steal jokes and use it for skits; and this portrays online comedians in a bad light. Stand-up comedians don’t like that and this often causes misunderstandings between them. I always say that I’m not a social media comedian; I’m a comedian and I can decide to do any style of comedy. I’ve proven it and I’m still trying to let people know that.
What was the reaction of your family members when you decided to take comedy as a full-time job?
I didn’t even have to tell them; they were the ones that pushed me to do it. I didn’t have to convince anybody as they already believed in me. The truth is that I’ve never liked school, and my dad understood me. He knows where my strength lies and he encouraged me to go for it.
Why don’t you like school?
I like education but I just don’t like the idea of being confined to a building to learn; it restricts me. Surprisingly, my parents were very understanding because they know that my calling is to become a comedian. But my dad just ensured that I studied courses more in line with what I could do, which was why I attended a performance school.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Mushin, Lagos. But I was born in Anambra State and I spent some time in my village before I came down to Lagos at the age of seven.
Beyond your comedy persona, how would you describe your personality?
I’m a gentle guy and I don’t really talk, except I’m with my friends.
How do you unwind?
I love playing video games and watching movies. I also play snooker.
source: Punch
Comedian, Chibuike Josh Alfred, aka Josh 2 Funny and Madam Felicia, speaks with TOFARATI IGE about his career How exactly did comedy star...
We have been overwhelmed with many questions on the health benefits and other nutritional contents of red palm oil. I hope this piece addresses the questions raised by the likes of Nneka Udokwu, Hajia Damilola Odusille, Eno Essien and the others.
Not too long ago, I walked into a pharmaceutical/cosmetic shop on Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos, and on the shelf were bottles of red palm oil [RPO] food supplement capsules. Though I have heard of its existence since 2013, it was my first time of coming across it in Nigeria.
I checked the containers of the supplement and saw that they originated from the US. The three different brands: ‘Natural red palm oil concentrate softgels’, ‘Red palm oil capsules Juka’s Organic Co.’, ‘Red Palm oil, the new super food of the year’, by Botanic Choice’
Stopping in my tracks, I pondered ‘red palm oil in capsules? I thought some people advertise that palm oil is bad for our health, especially the heart and now is being promoted as a food supplement. I know a few people with health issues who will not touch red palm oil even with a pole.
However, the stories are changing. Recently, in the US, a very popular American television host, Dr. OZ, referred to RPO as the miracle oil for longevity and the new weight loss miracle. Dr. Oz is an accomplished and still active cardiovascular surgeon. He is an academic and a research scientist who has hundreds of scientific publications to his name
For years, scientists from the so-called developed world, especially the United States, have campaigned relentlessly against the consumption of RPO. It was a target of massive advertising campaign, including widely published allegations that it was hazardous to health.
It was attacked as ‘saturated’ since it contains 44% palmitic acid and 5% stearic acid, thereby allegedly raises blood cholesterol and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Because it was comparatively new to many of the so-called developed countries, it was judged solely on the basis of its saturated fatty acid content while its numerous benefits were over looked.
Those days, especially before the 1990s, food producers in US had to state ‘No red palm oil’ in food labels for consumers to patronise them.
However, many reputable scientists both abroad and at home have conducted more than eighty research studies in order to help dispel these inaccurate myths and share the truth about palm oil.
The positive results of these nutrition studies have persuaded many to reconsider their previous judgments on palm oil. A major milestone for the positive reputation of palm oil was when the US Food and Drug Administration [FDA] announced in 1994 that it would no longer permit the use of ‘No red palm oil’ labelling.
That helped reinforce that “facts’’ rather than “myths” will prevail in regards to palm oil.
A sizable and growing body of scientific evidence indicates that palm oil effect on blood cholesterol is relatively neutral when compared to other fats and oils. A recent study comparing the effect of palm oil and olive oil enriched diets on 21 healthy, free living normocholosterolemic subjects found no difference in total and LDL cholesterol levels. There appears to be several explanations. Palm oil contains a high percentage of monounsaturates[40%]. Palm oil saturated fatty acids are palmitic [44%] and stearic[5%] which do not appear to elevate blood cholesterol in people with cholesterol within normal range.
Recent animal studies found that palm oil stimulates the synthesis of protective HDL cholesterol and removal of harmful LDL cholesterol.
It also appears that palm oil, compared to polyunsaturated oils, poses a reduced risk for cancer. This may be due to the tocotrionols in palmoil.
In fact, Professor KK Carol of Centre for Human Nutrition at the University of Western Ontario and David Kritchevsky of the Wister Institute recently concluded that evidence indicates that tocotrienols in palm oil are effective anti-cancer agents and provides adequate justification for clinical trials in human cancer patients.
Recently at the International Conference Centre Birmingham at the Biomedical Science Congress, Dr. Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus, South Africa, further elucidated the potential of the red palm oil in the healing process.
Scientifically known as Elaeis Guineensis, palm oil essentially contains rich, balanced mixture of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, providing a higher level of bioavaliable nutrients than any other vegetable source.
Like coconut oil, palm oil is also rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which mobilise body fat stores, increase the metabolic rate and is a great source of energy.
Palm oil is a rich source of antioxidants, especially Vitamin E. While the health benefits of Vitamin E are widely known, less widely known is the fact that Vitamin E is a complex of many constituents broken into two groups: tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) and tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta). And while alpha tocopherol is the form most commonly marketed as Vitamin E, the full spectrum of both tocoperols and tocotrienols are required for optimal assimilation.
The super-antioxidant tocotrienols are particularly important for optimal health. These natural antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and are believed to play a protective role in cellular aging, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers now believe that the tocopherols and tocotrienols together provide constituents that help limit damage during a heart attack.
RPO not only supplies fatty acids essential for proper growth and development, but it is packed with an assortment of vitamins, antioxidants and other phytonutrients important for good health.
For instance, the red colour comes from carotenes such as beta-carotene and lycopene – the same nutrients that give tomatoes and carrots and other fruits and vegetables their rich red and orange colours.
Carotenes are valuable nutrients and powerful antioxidants. They are also important because the body can convert them into Vitamin A, an essential nutrient.
Vitamin A deficiency can cause blindness, weaken bones, lower immunity and adversely affect learning ability and mental function.
“Vitamin A is only found in animal foods. Such foods are too expensive for many people. Carotenes in fruits and vegetables can supply the needed Vitamin A if an adequate amount of fat is also consumed. Carotenes require fat for conversion into Vitamin A. Unfortunately, those who cannot afford animal products often do not eat much fat either.
Populations with ample carotene-rich foods available often suffer from vitamin A deficiency because they don’t get enough fat in their diet. Dr. Albert Egbuehi of the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said: “Red palm oil is the richest dietary source of provitamin A carotenes (beta-carotene and alpha-carotene). It has 15 times more provitamin A carotenes than carrots and 300 times more than tomatoes. This has made it a valued resource in the treatment of Vitamin A deficiency. Just one teaspoon a day of red palm oil supplies children with the daily recommended amount of Vitamin A. Nursing mothers are encouraged to supplement their diet with palm oil to enrich their milk with the vitamin.”
We have been overwhelmed with many questions on the health benefits and other nutritional contents of red palm oil. I hope this piece addr...
Ice Prince Zamani teams up with our favorite hit dropper, Olamide and Mr Jollof, on this lit joint titled “Owonikoko” which means “Money is the main thing”.
A mid tempo joint with a relaxing melody, allowing all of them play around with their lines beautifully.
Listen and enjoy!
Ice Prince Zamani teams up with our favorite hit dropper, Olamide and Mr Jollof, on this lit joint titled “ Owonikoko ” which means “Mo...
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson accused North Korea on Friday of threatening the entire world, and President Donald Trump’s national security adviser said the administration is not ruling out a possible military action against the regime.
The reactions came after North Korea fired a missile over Japan for the second time in under a month in defiance of international pressure over its missile and nuclear programs.
“There is a military option,” H.R. McMaster, Trump’s security adviser said during a press briefing at the White House, flanked by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
But he clarified that the military option is not a preferred option, hoping that all other diplomatic moves will succeed.
McMaster urged all nations to do more to rein in the North, which he called “one of the world’s most urgent and dangerous security problems.”
In the latest attempt to deal with an issue that has repeatedly frustrated world powers, the U.N. Security Council was due to meet on Friday to discuss the missile launch, at the request of the United States and Japan.
The council’s 15 members unanimously stepped up sanctions against North Korea over a nuclear bomb test it staged on Sept. 3, imposing a ban on North Korea’s textile exports and capping its imports of crude oil.
North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under leader Kim Jong Un as it accelerates a weapons program designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.
Tillerson said in a speech to foreign officials that the tests threaten the world and stressed the United States was working closely with regional allies Japan and South Korea.
“In East Asia, an increasingly aggressive and isolated regime in North Korea threatens democracies in South Korea, Japan, and more importantly, and more recently, has expanded those threats to the United States, endangering the entire world,” Tillerson said.
Taking a tougher line than Tillerson, White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said the United States was fast running out of patience for diplomatic solutions on North Korea.
“We’ve been kicking the can down the road, and we’re out of road,” McMaster told reporters.
“For those … who have been commenting on a lack of a military option, there is a military option,” he said, adding that it would not be the Trump administration’s preferred choice.
North Korea’s latest test missile flew over Hokkaido in northern Japan on Friday and landed in the Pacific about 2,000 km (1,240 miles) to the east, the Japanese government said.
It traveled about 3,700 km (2,300 miles) in total, according to South Korea’s military, far enough to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, which the North has threatened before.
“The range of this test was significant since North Korea demonstrated that it could reach Guam with this missile,” the Union of Concerned Scientists advocacy group said in a statement. However, the accuracy of the missile, still at an early stage of development, was low, it said.
On Thursday, Tillerson called on China, Pyongyang’s only ally, and Russia to apply more pressure on North Korea by “taking direct actions of their own.
But Beijing pushed back.
Trump will meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York next Thursday, McMaster said. (NAN)
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson accused North Korea on Friday of threatening the entire world, and President Donald Trump’s national s...
The title of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2017 has been given to Ihezue Ugochi Mitchel, Miss Kebbi. The beauty queen beat 35 contestants to the crown as the 30th MBGN.
Miss Bayelsa, Miss Sokoto, Miss Plateau and Miss Oyo were the other top five finalists.
Miss Bayelsa came in as fourth runner-up, third runner-up was Miss Oyo, while the second runner-up was Miss Plateau.
Awards in other categories were presented at the ceremony before the top five finalists were announced.
Miss Yobe won the amity award, most photogenic award went to Miss Anambra, award for model of the year went to Miss Kebbi, and best traditional costume went to Miss Sokoto while the best evening wear award went to Miss Bayelsa.
The pageant was organised by Silverbird Entertainment but did not hold in 2016. This left 2015 MBGN winner Unoaku Anyadike as the reigning queen for two years.
The title of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2017 has been given to Ihezue Ugochi Mitchel, Miss Kebbi. The beauty queen beat 35 contesta...
Singer Simi has been rumoured to have had one or two things with singers, Adekunle Gold and Falz at some point. The popular singer, Simi, has said Nigerian men “are not romantic.”
According to her “Nigerian men are not romantic. I think Nigerian men do not think they have to be romantic. I am not saying this to bash men but I think no one pushes Nigerian men to fight for anything so they have this sense of entitlement. I was watching a Nigerian movie one day and there was this unfaithful Nigerian man who left his wife for another woman. At the end of the day, the other woman left him and he retraced his steps to his initial wife. The lady’s mother actually told her to kneel in front of the man and that bothered me a lot even though I knew it was a movie. That is the way things are.
“A lot of men grow up in this country feeling entitled to certain things and they believe that they don’t have to work for anything. This has been the case for generations and a lot of our mothers were unhappy because the society expected them to stay in the relationship. I am not saying it is the right thing for people to leave their relationships but a man needs to fight for what he wants so he can value it. I think the problem is because a lot of Nigerian men feel self-entitled and I blame our culture and our mothers. Most mothers are the problem because when something happens, they are quick to advise the daughter and wives, they don’t tell the men that their actions are wrong. So if a man feels that he does not have to fight to keep the relationship, he would not.”
The singer who hinted that she is currently in a relationship described the kind of lover she is. “To describe myself as a lover, I would say that I am a loyal lover. When I am in a relationship, I am all in and I put everything into it. I can only quit a relationship if the person betrays my trust because, to me, trust is everything. Trust is a big foundation for love. If I don’t trust a person, it would be hard to be with the person. If I date someone, I expect that you know what you have to offer. I believe that whatever I do for the person, I should get the same in return. I don’t like people lying to me,” the singer said.
The singer is currently in cloud nine because of the feedback she has been receiving over her sophomore album, ‘Simisola.’ It was a night of ecstasy for the soulful singer at her album launch party which took place at The Lekki Coliseum.
It is her sophomore album and her debut album since joining her record label X3M Music three years ago. Before now, she had released a plethora of singles such as ‘Tiff,’ ‘Jamb Question,’ ‘Outta My Head,’ which were well received and enjoyed massive airplay.
Singer Simi has been rumoured to have had one or two things with singers, Adekunle Gold and Falz at some point. The popular singer, Simi, ha...
Former Democrats Presidential candidate in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton has called for the elimination of the long standing election guiding policy of “Electoral College”.
The former Secretary of State who through her new book “What Happened” highlighted the elements of her defeat during the election is adding the policy to one of the things which cost her the Presidential ambition. Mrs Clinton won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, but her opponent, the incumbent President Trump won the Electoral College which is the defining basis for victory.
But the Constitution dictates that electors representing each state must cast ballots for president. The electors are assigned based on the popular vote of each state.
While speaking to CNN, she said, “I think it needs to be eliminated. I’d like to see us move beyond it, yes.”
Though she is reeling from her defeat during the elections, Clinton is one of many who has called for the abolishment of the system. In the wake of Trump’s victory, former Democrats Senator representing California, Sen. Barbara Boxer proposed a bill to abolish the system before he retired.
Former Democrats Presidential candidate in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton has called for the elimination of the long standing elect...
Superstar Highlife King, Flavour debuts the video for his collaborative single, “Loose Guard”.
Loose Guard is the fifteenth track of his latest album, “Ijele – The Traveler” which features, popular Igbo indigenous rapper, Phyno.
The video was directed by famous Director Patrick Elis.
Watch and enjoy!
Superstar Highlife King, Flavour debuts the video for his collaborative single, “Loose Guard”. Loose Guard is the fifteenth track of his la...