The comedian, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly known by the stage name Okey Bakassi, launched a book titled “The Life of An African Comedian” during his 50th birthday celebration in Lekki recently, raking in millions of naira in cash, cheques and pledges.
The haul came from an array of well-wishers that included both serving and former governors as well as federal ministers. Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Peter Obi, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chubuike Amaechi, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside were some of the dignitaries that honoured the frontline comedian on this day of his glory.
The autobiographical memoir, titled “The Life of An African Comedian” chronicles Okey Bakassi’s life from his childhood in Rivers State to his climb to fame in the Nigerian comedy scene. It contains funny anecdotes coupled with fond memories, successes and failures from the comedian’s past.
During the book launch, however, the book received pretty harsh words from a critic. The critic called the book disjointed and not well thought through, although the humor made up for it.
Nevertheless, that did not dampen the celebrations. Okey Bakassi’s friends, family, and associates gave a massive show of solidarity last night with pledges to support his book launch. Among these pledges were those from the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo and the comedian’s own mother-in-law, and representatives of Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, Bakassi’s wife’s alma mater.
The exact amount “The Life of An African Comedian” added to Bakassi’s bank account on its first night of release is unknown but would have improved his finances by no less than 5 Million Naira.
