CELEBRITY GUEST - KOFFI 'THA GURU'

Hey guys,

For big laughs, comedy relies on exaggeration, incongruity, automatism, character inconsistency, surprise, and derision. And that is exactly what our guest does and does it exceptionally well. Please welcome a man who doesn’t complain about the big problems in life because he’s yet to figure out the little ones…drum roll please! 

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Please meet the one and only KOFFI – THA GURU!

@koffithaguru aka Casper aka Beast of comedy is Nigeria's most versatile entertainer, actor, singer, producer, orator, righter!

Real Gentlehawk: Can you please  introduce  yourself and what you do to our readers?

Koffi: My name is Koffi Idowu-Nuel, born to a Togolese mum and Nigerian father, from Ibeju-Lekki Lagos. Comedian, Actor, Singer.

Real Gentlehawk: Can you tell us how you came about doing what you do and for how  long have you been doing it?

Koffi: I started out from school in University of lagos 1998, I had been admitted to study chemistry however I joined theatre 15 to further enhance my skills in acting, comedy etc.

Real Gentlehawk: What is your take on Nigerian comedy industry, do you see any improvement compared to when you started?

Koffi: There is been a blossom in the trade as a lot more have profited and are becoming brands and entrepreneurs. A big leap and growth from when I started.

Real Gentlehawk: How encouraging is the Nigerian audience and market to your craft?

Koffi: Very encouraging hence the steady rise in the industry of so many players in all spheres.

Real Gentlehawk: Do you believe that Nigerian comedians, both local and in diaspora support one another? Is there a synergy between both parties.

Koffi: There is a mutual understanding and respect amongst comedians globally, and transmits across board. However humor is language and locality based hence a limited collaboration amongst comedians on an international level but the likes of the comedian “ Basketmouth” have pushed the envelope beyond borders.

Real Gentlehawk: I  know  you have won several awards and recognitions. For the purpose of some people who don’t know; you won an award for African Comedy Icon (2011), Award of excellence as Most creative Comedian (2012), Wed Awards -Best Wedding MC (2013), The Nanny; Best of Nollywood Awards - Best Comic movie (2013), The Nanny; Abuja Int'l Film Festival - Most outstanding Comic Movie (2013) to mention a few. Any new award? And how does all these achievements make you feel and how has it helped your career?

Koffi: Sincerely I lost count and stopped counting. I see myself more as a man of rewards rather than awards. My career has been swift and graceful only by Gods doing.

Real Gentlehawk: I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your dad (May his soul rest in peace), can you please tell us a little about him. 

Koffi: He was a great man. Upright and laid a great foundation.

Real Gentlehawk: Your greatest inspiration? 

Koffi: God

Real Gentlehawk: So what are you presently working on?

Koffi: My new TV program just started airing – “Funny Moments with Koffi – Tha Guru” on Ben TV London, STV, NTA, Galaxy TV also Awada Express on Orisun TV . Presently also finishing up work on a new music album #CollaboraShunz featuring songs with Bovi, Chigul, Falz, Basketmouth, RasKimono, Alibaba, Klint, Sir Shina Peters, Dele Taiwo, Yaw, Sound sultan, Nomoreloss, Sunny Neji, Paul Play, Small Doctor, Q.Dot, Tolu Ajayi, Ashny, Splufikteam, Ashny, Monkalz, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Diana Bada, Ruffcoin, Beautiful Nubia, Cee.Y, Ikpa Udo, Koker, Tribal, da Emperor, Omobaba, Mc Abbey, Nedu, pretty, Maleke, Isolate, Sossick, M.I, African China, Mr Raw, Stella Damasus etc

Real Gentlehawk: What is your favorite book?

Koffi: Every James Hardley Chase

Real Gentlehawk: How do you relax? 

Koffi: Reading, Music and Movies

Real Gentlehawk: In one word, characterize your life as an artist. 

Koffi:  Splufik!

Real Gentlehawk: Any favorite comedian/artist? 

Koffi:  Gandoki

Real Gentlehawk: If you are ask to make a shout out to anyone who has supported you through your journey as a comedian in the industry, who would it be?

Koffi: My wife

Real Gentlehawk: On a lighter note, Choose between Omotola and Genevieve? Pasuma and Wasiu? BMW and VW? Old things or new things? 

Koffi:  Omotola, Pasuma, BMW, New Things

Real Gentlehawk: What will you tell your future self?

Koffi: Remain real, simple, humble. All credits to God.

Real Gentlehawk: Last words to your fans?

Koffi: Thanks for the support, keep praying for our collective blessings.

Well folks, there you have it...from our beloveth KOFFI - THA GURU! 

 #TheComicTruthByKoffi is a weekly piece he shares with his followers on social media.

He only writes about those/things he loves and is passionate about. 

You can subscribe and catch some more honest opinions on his #KoffiweeklyDigest on www.youtube.com/funnykoffitv 

www.koffioutofcontrol.com koffi.latenightgist.com

Till I bring you another amazing celeb, a little word of advice...

But before I go, if you have any question you would want us to ask any of our celeb, please feel free to send in your questions. You can send them through our:

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And don't forget if you enjoy what I do, please like my page and share. 

Your Gal, peace!

Real Gentlehawk 

CELEBRITY GUEST – OLAKUNLE OLADEHIN, BHEERHUGZ BRAND (MEDICAL DOCTOR CUM ENTREPRENEUR)

Hey guys, 

They say doctors are one of the busiest people on earth. Always on the move, never found lacking. If they aren't attending to patients or attending seminars, they are researching the next big thing. They are mostly satisfied with what they know how to do best, BEING A DOCTOR.

Well, not this Doc., young, intelligent, resilient and hardworking...and he is Nigerian.

So freaking excited! 

The first time I met him I was so intrigued that I started marketing for him without even knowing it.

He is someone I admire (believe me which is rare) and respect( which even more rare, don't blame me, take a good look around). Anyway, I am sure you guys can't wait too. So I will stop my chitchat and have you read his interview. 

Oh, his is name is Dr. Olakunle Oladehin, the brain behind the BHEERHUGZ BRAND!

If you didn't know, now you know…you can thank me later.

Real Gentlehawk: Can we meet you and what do you do?

Olakunle: I am Dr Olakunle Oladehin. I am a physician, a researcher, a family oriented man and lastly a young Nigerian entrepreneur. I live and schooled in Lagos, Nigeria, I have been in Lagos all my life. Everyone has a story, so do I. It was never easy.

Real Gentlehawk: What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business? 

Olakunle: Being the restless person that I am, I had to channel my spare time into something I had passion for. Something I was confident that passion will see me through no matter how hard things got. Change is a constant requirement in everything we do. You see, we cease to exist once we cease to change. My key driver for change has been "continuous improvement".

 

Real Gentlehawk: How did the idea for your business come about?

Olakunle: My passion for hospitality started while in medical school. As director of socials, I had the opportunity to play around with several ideas just as any teenager would. I fantasized about being an actor, owning a restaurant and still practicing my medical profession at the same time.

 

Real Gentlehawk: How do you build a successful customer base?

Olakunle: From the very onset, it was clear that having a successful restaurant would require that first timers coming back. It was also important that we understand and track our customers. So even when we do not see them, we still want to engage with them. Hence, we took full advantage of technology.

We created our loyalty Card platform (Hugz Fun Rewardz) which has really grown over the last 4 years and also improved in terms of user interface. Card holders get a lot of benefits and rewards, and more importantly, we also get to engage them even when they haven't visited in a while.

On the flip side, we also believe in giving back to the society. Supporting noble causes that elevate mankind. We recently gave out 100s of insecticide treated nets in our support to End Malaria scourge as well as support voluntary organizations as part of our corporate social responsibilities. 

 

Real Gentlehawk: Can you please describe your typical day?

Olakunle: I sleep mandatorily for 6 hours everyday. I dislike to talk on phone. Love to be the on social media and most importantly spend time with my family - which is the highlight.

 

Real Gentlehawk: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?

Olakunle: My greatest fear is failure. I however understand that failure sometimes is part of the game. Take calculated risk and leave the rest to God.

 

Real Gentlehawk: How do you define success?

Olakunle: Empowering people and creating more entrepreneurs.

 

Real Gentlehawk: Who has been your greatest inspiration?

Olakunle: My father, Samuel Olafemiwa Oladehin. A seasoned accountant who taught me 30 years ago that no matter what profession i did in life, i must know and embrace the principles of accounting. Being a man of God, He also taught me to have the fear God and always do good. His legacy lives on as he passed away in 2007.

 

Real Gentlehawk: I am sorry, may his soul rest in peace.

Olakunle: Thanks, I wish he was still around to see what he started.

Real Gentlehawk: What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)

Olakunle: I am not one to pick up books.......though, I am writing my own book. Hope you will read it. LOL

 

Real Gentlehawk: Why not, if you send me a copy. So what have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?

Olakunle: I failed in almost everything at some point in life. I failed pathology in medical school, I have failed in relationships, in other business endeavors. Like I said earlier my greatest fear still is failure...... then again, failure is part of the journey. My  biggest lesson from failure is timing. Many factors contribute to failure, however, Timing is the biggest of all. 

 

Real Gentlehawk: What advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?

Olakunle: No idea is stupid. You are better with something you have passion for. All you need is timing or let's say Perfect timing, if you understand what I'm trying to say...... Hit the rod when it is hot!!

Real Gentlehawk: Thank you so much for the interview.

Olakunle: It was a pleasure!

So you hear it from the horse’s mouth, keeping it true and real, will the the long run get you to that place. Keep pushing, loving and feeding your passion is all you need to be great. Giving up ain't an option! Try and try again. Failure is just a way of telling you, yep, I just learnt another way of not doing it that way.

Therefore, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein.

So peace out,

Your Gal,

Real Gentlehawk!