Famous movie producer, promoter, actress, songwriter and singer, Dr. Yemisi Jaiyeola is once again gaining traction and popularity on social media the world over, through her active involvement in skit making, a medium she has been using to reach out to her teeming audience.
Dr Jaiyeola, a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist who has been in the business of entertainment for over three decades also commended skit makers for utilizing humor to underscore themes such as festive seasons, religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence amongst ethnic groups, brutality of law enforcement agents and even corruption to correct societal ills and drive positive social change.
In a chat with some selected journalists on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26, Adesqueen said; “Skit making has a very strong comedy appeal which helps in keeping viewers in a more relaxed mood whilst still passing the very salient points and messages that are primarily designed for, by the content creators. One thing I have also observed is that our own skit in Nigeria is fundamentally based on common experiences, referencing relevant topics such as family dynamics, interpersonal interactions, and the notorious superstitions associated with the so-called village people, with due respect to them. This relatability renders the skits we make more immensely popular among both domestic and global audiences. The creative nature is seen to be unique, original and flawless.
“We now extensively utilize traditional proverbs, idioms, and cultural allusions in our acts which is pretty much phenomenal and becoming increasingly acceptable by our target audience. Our humor resonates personally, as listeners identify with relatable life situations. This narrative technique transcends humor, as comedians employ satire to tackle social and political matters. Today many of us skit makers have utilized humor to underscore themes such as festive seasons, religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence amongst ethnic groups, brutality of law enforcement agents and even corruption.
“Moreover, digital channels have revolutionized the general entertainment landscape for Nigerian comedians and the growth and as well as the acceptability have been incredibly great. Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook etc have democratized comedy, enabling comedians to literally circumvent conventional gatekeepers so to speak and connect directly with audiences without any encumbrance.
“Comedians who have a penchant for making skits have now cultivated substantial followings by producing concise, relatable skits that explore familial relationships, societal concerns, and contemporary challenges. These skits frequently achieve viral status, establishing a global presence for Nigerian humor. I am active in this too and the feedback has been quite encouraging and impressive and I am happy that the entertainment industry is truly evolving with many positive gains for the stakeholders who are directly or indirectly involved.”
