I Want To Be The Major Face Of Entertainment – Fast Rising Comedian, Peteru #StarsConnect
Owomoyela Oluwatobi Lawrence, popularly known as Peteru (a fast rising comedian in Ibadan) was in an interview conducted by Damilola; the Manager, Jetheights Services Ibadan. He was born and brought up in the ancient city of Ibadan; he started his career as a dancer, singer and Master of Ceremony (MC), before he found love in comedy.
Few days from now, Laff Theory will be presenting a scintillating comedy show tagged
ATLANTA MUST LAUGH which is all about presenting the INTERNATIONAL DEBUT OF PETERU, coming up 11th of December, 2015, at the Marietta event center, Marietta, Atlanta Georgia, United States of America. Thereafter, he will be having a tour to other states.
From all the management and staffs of Jetheights Services Limited, we joyfully wish one of Ibadan’s heroes the very best in the United States of America.
THE INTERVIEW
We warmly welcome you to Jetheights Services; we are an IT Solutions, Advertisement and Human Resource company, currently operating in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. We currently own and effectively run more than 16 websites which are fully operational and gaining massive momentum. Now, this is Stars Connect Studio a subsidiary of Jetheights services, Stars Connect network is a programme that brings together entrepreneurs, business owners, inspirational speakers, pastors, and leaders in the society, upcoming artistes, NGOs, people giving back to the society and the world at large.
We conduct interview sessions in our studio to find out everything we can about their journey to stardom, we hope to bring together stars who can be of benefit to one another or who can synergize with Jetheights in other to impact the community. By doing this we can reach out to everyone in the society especially the youth in order for them to make good use of their youthfulness and channel their energy towards positive and productive activities.
It’s great to have you on Stars Connect.
PETERU: It’s my pleasure, thank you.
Tell us more about you?
PETERU: My name is Owomoyela Oluwatobi Lawrence from Ondo state, a graduate of purchasing and supply from the polytechnic of Ibadan, comedian of the republic of Nigeria.
What’s your personality?
PETERU: Am a little bit reserved when I want to think right and put things in place.
What were you doing before you found comedy?
PETERU: It started at the then University of Ado Ekiti (UNAD) now Ekiti State University (EKSU), as a dancer , but immediately I came to Ibadan, I met some guys and decided to join them, but my part was the ‘ajasa’ part of the music, it was Fuji, while doing that I never saw comedy at all, after a while I joined a dance group called the Royal dancers; we went for a program in Ilorin , one of the organizers came to announce to us that the comedian who was supposed to start the program was stuck in traffic , the comedian’s name is Firstborn, who happens to be my boss now.
So this is where it all started?
PETERU: Yes, in Ilorin, so one of the guys I travelled with told me to go on stage and do my thing, I laughed and told him he was joking, I wasn’t a comedian and people wouldn’t even laugh to my jokes at all, he said they would laugh and that I should start with a certain joke I used to tell them at rehearsal titled ‘Peteru’ and that is where my name came from, many people used to assume I got the stage name from my real name, my stage name came from my first job, so the guy said don’t worry just go, so I summoned up courage and mounted the stage and did my thing, so while doing it, Firstborn arrived and afterwards he took over and after the show he told the organizer that you guys have a good comedian here and you still paid me to come, I was like where is the comedian, I said am a dancer he said to me no, you are a comedian, take my card, come to Lagos and I will brush you up. So that was how it began.
That’s a lovely start that’s amazing, so what really motivates you?
PETERU: Ah…a lot o, one thing that motivates me most is poverty!, I tell people am not into comedy for the money, I do it for the fun of it because I refuse to be very sad, and like to put smiles on people’s face, it’s always been like that since I was a kid, yes, money will come along, nevertheless , of course I have to get paid, so I try to work hard and do my best, I just can’t stand poverty! So it’s a huge motivator for me.
What do you envision for yourself in comedy?
PETERU: A whole lot, I want to be the major face of entertainment in the next 5-10 years to come and I want to be the name on every lip in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, and also affecting my generation positively, like giving out scholarships to the less priveledged. House of Peteru has a lot of projects and plans for 2016.
I can’t wait to see that, how do you get your materials? We hear a lot of comedians love repeating jokes.
PETERU: About materials, most comedians copy jokes and repeats, not because they aren’t funny, but they don’t invest, you see the ability to invest in what you do takes you miles ahead of others, I buy books a lot and I also visit one of my motivators Alibaba for advice.
You know people who live outside Ibadan think anyone who comes from Ibadan is local and unexposed, so in your case how do you feel about it?
PETERU: Alibaba used to tell me, “Would you rather be a dog in the jungle, slave in no man’s land than being a king in your city and a lion in your forest?” There is nothing wrong with Ibadan, Ibadan gave me almost everything I am enjoying now, I make money, I have a lot of projects going on, I got married in Ibadan, Ibadan has given me a lot, this is the same Apata boy (from Apata to Atlanta) to God be the glory.
Lol…ok, so for the program coming up in Atlanta, what do you intend to do?
PETERU: Our intention is to connect with our fans in Diaspora and probably start a Peteru fan club in each state, we have three fans cub already, one in Atlanta, Indianapolis and Huston, and so they are the ones putting this event together, before you know it we will take over the United States of America. And then probably move to the United Kingdom.
How did this international breakthrough happened?
PETERU: In my case, it was divine intervention and great character, so it’s simply God’s grace and mercy.
What’s your greatest achievement?
PETERU: My international Tour and my experience with my motivator Alibaba are my greatest achievements.
When you get on stage and realize people aren’t responding to your jokes what will you do?
PETERU: It has happened before, the first time was when I was just starting comedy, I didn’t know how to embrace it, but the second time it happened they had no choice than to laugh, I am spontaneous and I pick my jokes from my environment.
How does your day looks like?
PETERU: Always hectic, full of thoughts, innovations, before now though my daily routine has been just hustling…lol.
Tell us about your family background?
PETERU: Am from a family of 7, mum, dad and 4 sisters, the only son and the last child, from a humble family, it wasn’t easy though, but to God be the glory.
Any advice to other upcoming comedians and artistes?
PETERU: Respect people, where I am today, in fact the person who financed my tour to the United States of America was someone I almost talked to rudely, because of the way he approached me and his appearance, he was looking very dirty and shabby, I almost ignored him, don’t let stardom destroy your character, because good character will take you far, always invest in your future from now! Work hard and above all be prayerful.
It’s been really nice having you around, thanks for coming.
PETERU: it’s been my pleasure. Thank you.
