Top comedian, Iruvwe Okeremuke (a.k.a De-Don) is a delight to be with. Just as the entertainer is witty, so also he is savvy concerning issues of life. His interesting double-edged disposition played out recently in Lagos when Contributing Editor, IFECHI OKOH, closed –up on him in an all-embracing interview. It’s a sizzler, only granted to us years after in comedy concern.

Who is De-don beyond comedy?

My name is Iruvwe Okeremuke Don. My real name is Don! De-Don came up when I was trying to get a name as a trade mark for my comedy business. So, to differentiate myself from the rest of the front liners, I had to go for De-Don. Since then, people have been seeing me as the De-Don of the Nigeria comedy. I hail from Agbara –Otor in Ughelhi North local Government Area of Delta State. It may interest you to know and note, by the way, that Ali Baba is my cousin. I had my primary and secondary schools in Abrakaand Uwoha, near Afuze. I went to LASU much later where I read Economics.

How did it all start?

I remember that I have been doing comedy in my secondary school days on a lighter note. I never took it as a profession, until I came to Lagos in 1999. But after watching some comedians on TV, I had a change of heart as I started thinking of making a living from comedy. So it came to pass in 2002, during the Nite of a Thousand Laughs in October of that year. Our selection was quite competitive. I remembered that we were 27 comedians who came for the audition and I was picked among the first top three, after our auditions. It was a big stage, but it gave me all the psychological kick I needed to get to the height of the profession as fast as possible.

Any parental support or otherwise?

It began when I was in school, doing my Diploma in International Relations Studies in LASU. It was during this period that the husband of my elder sister discouraged me because he did not support me then. I remembered that I had to leave his house as part of his distaste for my choice of comedy as a profession. Ironically, he was only interested in me going to school and having my first degree in any other discipline that has nothing to do with entertainment. Interestingly, I knew about his noble intension. The man’s mentality was that entertainers are never respected or do-wells in our society and this goes for comedy as entertainment business. So, as a result, he never wanted to be part of such rubbish as a serious minded person. Interestingly, my sister did not want me to come out openly to disapprove of her husband’s actions as a naturally quiet, humble woman. So, her husband had his way to the benefit of everybody at last. It is ironical that today himself and my sister are very proud of me as a comedian.

What were the memories of your first outing?

Memories of my first show was the Nite of a Thousand Laughs. It was great, awesome and so it lasted for long. I remembered that I had the outing with greats like Basket Mouth, Gordon, Gandoki and I go die. It was a great night in my life.

What were the effects of your first outing on the second one?

This happened in my second major show of Nite of a Thousand Laughs in Port Harcourt on January 1^st,2003. That was the day the first one had a rob-off effect on the second which had a work over effect on the second one, which also led to the third one. So, it was fun for me for three years at a stretch. Its effects were monumental and historic in my chronology as a comedian. I must say here that the effects contributed in making me a celebrated comedian and I thank God for this.

What has been your social life like?

Oh yes! It is very active because my job demands it as somebody who trades in humour and entertainment. I am a humor merchant, no doubt. To me, I am like a chef. So, how can I cook without tasting it to know if the packaging is really delicious or not? It is not possible! Every normal person knows it. It may interest you to know that I don’t smoke either before I mount the stage or leave it. But I drink moderately because I can’t afford to make an unnecessary caricature of myself as a star comedian. I cherish my talent a lot. So, I guard against seriously anything that would scandalize me, perhaps for the fun of it. That explains why the Press haven’t been able to succeed in writing about me, portraying my scandalous side, which I don’t have, to start with. So, I thank God that there is nothing to scandalize me with. I have and I pray that it will continue to work for me as long as I remain in this business. My colleagues and some of my decent fans constitute my social friends.

Can we have a peep into your scorecard?

As a comedian, I have done well in terms of content. It’s on good source that I own the first-ever standup comedy show on radio comedy: “Happy Hour” with De Don on Rainbow 94.1 fm. I also own a TV Series, “Real Don” which shows on Africa Magic and some other TV Stations. I have won several awards as a comedian. The latest is that of Comedy Club of the year, packaged by Niger Fm Radio Station. I also run a Comedy Club on Salvation Street Okpebi, Ikeja. It is on record that when CNN came to Nigeria, they visited it and recorded my shows there. So what else has God not done for me? That is why I am very grateful and faithful to him as a comedian. I will remain forever grateful to him.

How can you link comedy with good life?

I want to announce here to the glory of God that comedy has since been putting food on my table, paying my bills as a family man and giving me decent accommodation, helped me to afford vacation outside Nigeria with my family on several occasions. So, what else do I want comedy to do for me?

What are your reservations about Nigeria’s comedy business?

The first is the case of piracy of jokes by fellow Comedians; it makes nonsense of the business out rightly. There is also this headache of celebrating glamour rather than originality and content which are very important and professional in this business.

What is your most memorable experience and most awful one?

The experience of Nite of a Thousand laughs on May 1 in the year 2003 in Abuja was my most memorable experience. That Nite, I had a standing ovation for quite a long time on stage. That moment, I had goose pimples all over me. Honestly, it was too much for me to forget just like that. I remembered that my most awful experience was the day a well-to-do man, in my judgement from his dressing, told a white lie about me in my presence, publicly. I was shocked and ashamed that such could come from a big man, well respected in our society. Had it been it is now that I am well known and of age, I would have embarrassed him on the spot.

Can we have your definition of love and beauty?

Love and beauty, to me, are but relative because what constitutes beauty and love to me, may not necessarily be the same for others. Love to me, is not synonymous with money as the majority in our society see it, in that light. Love, as far as I am concerned, touches on sincere affection for your partner, understanding her feelings too; all combining to define true love, in its real sense. As for the beauty of women, I look beyond the physical. I would rather consider her intellect, which includes her ability to reason soundly and impressively.

What are your parameters for choosing a wife?

I seriously weigh those qualities and values I have just mentioned. All these, I must confess, play vital roles when I was ready to pick and settle down with my wife as my life partner. Her natural beauty too, I mean inside and outside, were taken into consideration in my final decision.

Can we talk briefly about yourself and sex?

It appeals to me depending on what I am thinking about at any material time; I mean the mood I am at a point in time. That is when I am either in high or low spirit.

What is your take on sex before or after marriage?

It should be after marriage, according to biblical doctrine. But during courtship, it is important to check how sexually compatible both of you are because failure to do this may lead to misunderstanding when both of you settle down. If care is not taken, it could lead to cheating on the part of any of the partners, leading to misunderstanding, fights and eventual breakup.

Which is the sexiest part of your body and why?

I am happy that my head, hands, legs and other parts of my body are all proportionate to my physical being and I want to thank and glorify God for this. To me, it makes me look very sexy, physically.

Can you give us the place of sex in an enduring marriage?

Sex naturally plays a major role in any enduring marriage throughout the world. But regrettably, most women don’t know this. So, they ignore this clause which gradually rocks their marriage, until it packs up eventually. Women should please start thinking about this seriously to save their marriage. Sex is the honey to enduring marriages anywhere in the world. The bible even supports it (1Corinthians 7).