The Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has said that Nigerian comedians are the funniest in the world when he received a team of young skit makers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a statement, on Wednesday, Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, said the VP shared his opinion, saying, “I don’t think that anybody anywhere is as funny as Nigerian comedians.”
The delegation, which came under the aegis of the Nigeria Skits Industry Awards, was led by its promoter, Bimbo Daramola.
Others on the delegation were Maryam Apaokagi, popularly known as Taaooma, Josh Alfred (Josh2funny), Ayo Ajewole (Woli Agba), Adebamiro Adeyanju (Mr Hyenana) and Adeoye Adeyemi Elesho (Yemi Elesho).
The vice president said, “I strongly believe that what our young people are doing and what they are capable of, are what will lead our country to where we are meant to be.
“The future is not tomorrow; it is already here and we can see it from just everything you are doing, the global acclaim that you are getting; young people like yourselves, doing something good.
“I think that we have incredible talents and we must do something about it, to enable these talents and we must ask ourselves questions on setting realistic goals that can enable these talents flourish. I must say that just based on the sheer creativity around this, I don’t think that anybody anywhere is as funny as Nigerian comedians.”
He urged the young skit makers to use their large online following for the good of the nation.
Osinbajo further intimated the group on the government’s efforts to boost the Nigerian entertainment sector via the Technology and Creative Advisory group which aims to shape policies to encourage the growth of the sector, as engagement with comedy skit makers was important.
“Why I think this engagement (with skit comedians) is important is because this is the way to go. Let us sit down and look at all the issues and come out with realistic positions that can then become policies, and what sort of support will be required,” he stated.
The VP assured the team that the Federal Government would continue to create an enabling environment for the growth and development of youths in the country.
