Wazobia 95.1 FM Station’s oldest On-Air-Personality (OAP), Steve Onu, massively called Yaw Wazobia or Yaw-Yaw, in this rare encounter with our Contributing Editor, IFECHI OKOH, unfolds how his romance with acting started, what it took him to be in focus as a radio presenter/personality, the fall-out, his thoughts on professional issues, love and sundry matters. His response was as serious and comical as ever. Savour it!

May we know how the journey into broadcasting and comedy started for you?                                      

I started acting in 1995. First and foremost, I am an actor before I ventured into other things. My acting career began with the home video stuff which has now become the in-thing. I was actually one of the pioneers of the home video concern in Nigeria. Mine was of class, anyway. I started with the BBC thing on radio. From there, I moved over to the Nigerian Television Authority.                           

What factors made your journey smoother and faster to becoming a celebrity?                        

Just as I mentioned earlier, I began acting as far back as 1995. However, it was not known until 2005, a period of clear 10 years after I started. I must confess that during this period of learning the ropes, I really put in my best. Expectedly, it was not as smooth as I have envisaged. I knew earlier that it would be so, because nothing good comes easy, this I know.        

How was comedy then and now?                                                 

Like I told you earlier, I didn't take-off as a comedian. Rather, I did as a conventional actor. However, I veered-off along the line to do other things, before I returned to the business of acting, starting with comic roles. When I began comedy, it was not as popular and celebrated as it is today. Moreover then, there was a wreath of comedians. But today, all these have changed. There are enough comedians and the industry is now money spinning. Comedians are now celebrities, living well and cruising in about the most expensive automobiles in town. You see! I strongly believe that this is so in almost every industry. I mean music, movie, banking and the oil sector. This improvement is just a thing of the time phenomenon. Aside, I think too that the pumping of money into these sectors, especially the showbiz, plays a very vital role here. Whichever way one looks at it, I seriously believe that time played very vital role in the whole matter.                                   

Did you start making money immediately you ventured into comedy?                                           

To start with, money making is relative. My definition of money making may not be same like yours. So also your definition may not be the next person's. This is just the simple truth! Take the case of events, where Masters of Ceremony obviously receives more than one another. While some are paid N10,000, others may be paid N50,000, N100,000, or even more for events of same magnitude. Can you imagine the visible difference? It may be funny but that's the reality on the ground. What you make may be seen as money to you. But to others, their definition differs from yours and others. It all really depends in one’s definition of money. My main purpose of going into comedy is not to make money. However, money making is one of the purposes of going into it.

What are your gains for now?           

First of all, I have to thank God for helping me to make an impact in my own way. Meanwhile, I am still in the race, refusing to be discouraged by anybody or circumstance beyond my control. Today, I can thump my chest and say confidently that people know so much about me and I have been able, as a result, touch lives. These have been practically in some awards bestowed on me. My inclusion in the Olympic team was a tacit stamp that I have really touched lives and also recognised. I remember that I was one of the touch bearers in England sometime when the historic event held there. This actually meant a lot to me. I think, to a large extent, I have really been acknowledged by the authorities and great people of this nation. So what else do I need?                               

Were the awards you have received given to you as a broadcaster or comedian?    

All the awards that I have received, so far, were given to me as a radio presenter and personality, not as a comedian.     

How did you transform into a unique radio presenter and personality?  

The magic is my choice to be natural on air from the outset. To me, that's the best way to reach the listener most effectively. This choice has since stood me out from my other colleagues. I cherish presenting my programme the way I feel, see and believe it should be presented. Interestingly, I never knew that this was the ace I actually needed to stand out from my fellow radio presenters and personalities. There's no doubt that my background, that is where I grew up and the medium through which I reach out to the people too, had a lot to do with my mileage. I really thank God for this ingenuity which has paid-off greatly at the end of the day. To God, be the glory and honour.                       

Can we be in the know of how you were able to match effectively your celebrated Wazobia programme with your occasional shootings?                      

I owe this to the flexible management policy of Wazobia 95.1 FM Sation. I have to acknowledge them and commend such policy with a human face. I think this was the first factor that gave rise to the effective combination of my programme and occasional acting concern. This actually encouraged me to put in my best, anyway. Imagine a situation you are allowed to do things at your own time and pace officially! No disturbance of any sort. Their decision may have been actually informed that if the presenters are allowed free hand, they could get the best out of them. By their calculation, they no doubt provided us the best conducive atmosphere to operate. This decision really got out the best in us. You can even see this in the vibrant on air relationship between our presenters and callers.                      

What did you read in the University?                                        

I read Theatre Arts and specialised in Theatre Marketing. I can direct too. So there is no need to read acting specially. Hence, I don't need to specialise in acting, since it comes naturally. I had to specialise in Theatre Marketing because I need to, unlike acting. It's unlike acting because it is something that I didn't know before.

Is there any resemblance between the character you portray on television, Wazobia and your real self as Steve Onu?                                                        

No way! To start with, the character I portray on television is more of a comic one. On Wazobia, Yaw-Yaw is a man on the street and down to earth too. Hence he has been able to think and acts like the man of the people in the language they speak and understand. That explains the excitement any time I am on air. Speaking the people's mind and the language they understand are very important in communication, if it must be effective. I think my ace is just being myself. That is Yaw-Yaw on air! But for Steve Onu, off air, he is a complete introvert. That means he does not go out. What am I looking for outside after making staying in door very attractive? I must confess here that my not smoking or drinking alcohol has really helped me greatly. However, official duty forces me out occasionally. Yaw-Yaw, the man of the people must be there. No excuse!                               

Has being Yaw-Yaw caused you embarrassment and pains of any sort?

It has really done on many occasions. One that actually forced me to react sharply because I couldn’t bear it, was when a young lady came that fateful morning asking for me and had to wait for me patiently until I finished my morning show. So after it, she inched up to me, and stylishly took me to a corner, where nobody really saw us. There, she confessed that she had been very infatuated about me. Before I knew the mischief she was up to, she had pulled down her trouser, showing me the tattoo she did with my name, Yaw-Yaw, inscribed on her buttocks. I screamed and walked away fast from there before people knew or saw what was happening. I was shocked to my bone marrow. I couldn't believe that some ladies could be so bold and daring at same time.