Cute Abiola, Ayinde Barrister: Intriguing world of talents in regimented spaces

Akeem Lasisi
Akeem Lasisi
Cute Abiola the naval man

Currently, popular skit maker, Cute Abiola, is serving a special punishment prescribed by the Nigerian Navy. It’s good that the naval authorities have said that the comedian, who is also part of its personnel, is no more in detention, but that he is serving a one-month extra duty, supervising civilian artisans in their barracks. He is expected to return home and to limelight on December 15, 2021.

The offence Abdulgafar Ahmad (his real name) committed, according to the authorities, is that he wore a police uniform in one of his skits and ridiculed the Nigeria Police Force in the process. So, even if the detention siege is over for celebrity Cute Abiola, his current address is surely not cute at all.

Cute Abiola

To his numerous fans, it is not funny that their darling humour manufacturer has been in confinement for going to a month. To the Navy, however, there is nothing strange in whatever is happening to him. He is its (Navy’s) boy, being its employee. Its stand is that he has committed an offence – he was initially said to have violated the Nigerian Navy’s social media policy – and he is being punished like any other officer who does so. That is to tell whoever cares to listen that, in military circles, no one is a star.

Being a talent in a regulated space, whatever is happening to Cute Abiola is, however, not peculiar to him. It reflects the dilemma faced by many artistes and other talented folks who work with institutions, building careers and earning salaries. They have discovered their gifts, but to leave the establishments and going to face the art business might not be a decision they can quickly make.

Ayinde Barrister

Some do quickly leave, though, based on the height of their courage and/or support they have from elsewhere. Or purely as a matter of choice. Ace filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, was for instance a banker before moving his destiny into the vehicle of his passion. But other calculations often delay the movement of many, to the extent that they begin to experience the kind of friction that Cute Abiola is experiencing now. Being a performance poet with prolonged marriage to the newsroom, I this writer) seem to be in a good position to better relate with his experience.

Among others who left their jobs and squarely face their arts is also Segun Akinlolu – Beautiful Nubia. He was a veterinary doctor with Animal Care. He shocked his employers some 20 years ago when he resigned to nurture his talent. Like Afolayan, he has no cause to regret, though it is every individual who can tell his story better. Among other Nigerian entertainers, the likes of Yomi Fash-Lanso, Mike Ezuruonye, Bolanle Ninalowo, Banky W and also Mayorkun left corporate organisations to face their chi. As Chinua Achebe teaches readers in Things Fall Apart, Chi in Igbo tradition refers to one’s personal spirit.

ALSO READ: Anxiety over whereabouts of comedian Cute Abiola

Interestingly, the story is not limited to people in the arts and culture sector. Popular politician, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was also a big man at Mobil before he journeyed into politics. He did say in an interview with THE NEWS that his employers thought he was mad when he told them he was leaving Mobil to become a party man. Today, he has a good tale to tell about his decision. This may, however, not mean that it’s everyone who launches out in such a manner that eventually does well on stage or elsewhere. The grave, at times, is the bus stop of passionate dreams.

Yet, the moment of decision will always come and, for Cute Abiola, he may just be at the valley of decision. Good enough, his art has become successful, and he is believed to have started earning well from comedy. Shortly before his arrest, he, for instance, unveiled his house in Lagos.

Afolayan

It is good to also recall that fuji creator and music legend, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, was once in a similar situation as the comedian. When the late artiste was still a s soldier, he had discovered his incredibly rich talent and thus went out to perform regularly. At a point, the fuji adventures started clashing with his official schedules and, though there is no record that he was axed like Cute Abiola. He struggled with the fix for some time before he eventually had to quit the Army. Interestingly, his friend and contemporary, Kollington Ayinla, was also a singing guy in the military. They left for the stage about the same time. Meanwhile, their stories remind one of Askari to n ko Fuji, a policeman who used to be good at the traditional genre.

Cute Abiola

Cute Abiola should thank his star that he has become a success as a skit maker already. So, the decision staring him in the face may not be too difficult to take. While still in service, the artiste should obey rules and regulations, but the Navy too should not clip his talented wings. They can, instead, spot an opportunity in seeing him as its human face, a kind of ambassador with some strategic though indirect value to the institution.

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