Another gifted comedian is here with us. His parents christened him Prince Ovie Okeimute 22 years ago when they gave birth to him, but today he’s widely known as Memory Card. Rugged and ‘dreadlocked’, he breezed into YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s office in Ojodu, Lagos on Friday, September 26, 2014. And we could not help but ask him a few questions. Enjoy…
Let us meet you…
Okay, my name is Okeimute Ovie, from Delta State. Warri to be precise. Aka Memory Card. For my primary school, I attended NNPC School and I also attended the Government School in Warri; Uwangwe College, Warri and I do my part time now at Delta State University, Abraka, Theatre Arts. I’m just 22 years old.
Why do you call yourself Memory Card?
I call myself Memory Card because of the business I’m into. I’m into show business and I don’t forget things. I always remember things.
So, what got you interested in comedy?
I decided to be a comedian because I want to make a change in the industry. There are some things that some people are not doing that I have to do in the industry.
When and how did you get entangled with comedy?
I started doing comedy when I came to Lagos in 2010, and I think I can do comedy; not that I entered it for the money or whatever. I want to make a change in the business, I want to make a change in the comedy industry and entertainment as a whole.
What distinguishes you from the other comedians? What makes you different?
What makes me different from the other comedians, I think, is the way I crack my jokes, the way I act, my language, the way I talk. So many things make me different from the other comedians.
You look rugged for a comedian, why this rugged looks?
That’s why I said I’m a comedian with a difference; I want to make a difference. You know, sometimes I go for shows and they will say are you sure you are a comedian? You don’t look serious at all, at all! This is just my brand. I’m trying to create a brand for myself.
Who are the comedians that you look up to?
I look up to Basketmouth, I look up to Buchi and I look up to Bovi. I look up to Eddie Murphy, I look up to so many of them.
You are just 22, didn’t your parents complain that your taking to comedy will disrupt your academic activities?
No, no, no! Nobody is complaining. In my family, everybody has rights. We have human rights, we have freedom. So, if you are doing this and it is good for you, my dad will be like whaaooh! Go ahead, since this is what you want to do; you can do it. And my mom has been supporting me right from day one.
So, where and where have you performed?
I’ve performed at Rhythm Unplugged, Nite of a Thousand Laughs, AY Show, Stand Up Nigeria and P-Square’s Invasion and so many other shows that I can’t even mention now.
Tell us about your parents. You just said you enjoy their support. What does your father do? And your mother?
My dad works in NNPC. His name is Ovie Donald. My mum is a business woman. Her name is Beatrice Ovie. And my dad, my dad, my dad, my dad! I really don’t have good stories about my dad…
Why?
I don’t have good stories about my dad because my mum has been the only one there for us. My dad has so many wives. So, so many wives. I can’t say anything about my dad. I don’t want him to be popular, so I don’t want to say anything about my dad.
Tell us about your siblings…
Yeah, I have siblings, I have younger ones. I’m from a family of six. I’m the first son. I have an elder sister; she’s happily married with three kids. And I still have four younger ones that I take care of.
Where do you hope to end up or get to now that you have taken to comedy? What’s your vision for this comedy business?
My vision is very, very, very big in comedy; my vision is very big because I’m planning a show now. Thank God I’m working with Don G Entertainment. They are there for me to do everything I want. I’m doing my club tour in Abuja this year, Port-Harcourt, Ibadan, in Benin and I’m doing my show, Live in Cotonou With Memory Card; Laugh to Fame Live in Cotonou.
When are you starting?
I’m starting this October.
So, what makes you happy? What gives you joy?
I think everything makes me happy. Everything makes me happy. I’m a happy man and I meet happy people. Everybody around me makes me happy.