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In the Entertaining World of a SkitMaker
Yinka Olatunbosun
A new cluster of internet-made stars is changing the tradition of acting. For Abiri Tobiloba Folagade Festus popularly known as Folagade Banks, his career direction took a different turn the day he turned the camera to himself and began to mimic different characters to tell a story. Known for the character of “Mama Deola,” a self-righteous Yoruba mother who is highly opinionated, Banks realised that his skits on this character were bankable the moment he was commissioned to do paid content as adverts for brands and businesses.
The 2021 graduate of Geography at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife didn’t quite map out acting as a career until the feedback from his friends nudged him into taking it seriously. He always made others laugh.
He lived most of his life in Ife; attended Daysprings International school, and later Oladimeji Preparatory school as well as Ambassadors’ College for Secondary School, Ile-Ife. At age five, his dream was to become a doctor having caught a glimpse of a television show on how people conceive.
“I was fascinated but along the way, I felt like doctor ke,” he continued in his recorded audio responses. “Then my life is not going to be quiet. I started to develop admiration for the arts. I wanted to be in entertainment. By the time I was 11, I wanted to act. I wanted to sing and dance. I wanted to do all that.
“When I graduated from my secondary school, I got an award for the funniest guy, most jovial and one other award. When I was in the university., my friends used to say, ‘do this video’ and I was not interested at first because I was wondering who would watch it. I could remember when I was in secondary school, I was playing in class with her and she was laughing and she told me that you know what you are going to be a big star in this entertainment industry. I was just 14 then.”
Later on, towards the completion of his degree programme at OAU, Ile Ife, then came the Covid-19 lockdown. The isolation birthed creativity. “Covid-19 was what actually brought about the skit making- the content making. That was when I realised that I could use my social media account but I didn’t start doing it till 2021,” he disclosed.
His first skit wasn’t about Yoruba mothers. It was just a rant and he was very anxious to share it for the fear of the unknown. Trolls don’t filter- they can insult and break one’s spirit. But Banks summoned the courage and his first video was well received.
The character of Mama Deola resonates with every one born of a typical African mother. Although Mama Deola is an Ondo woman, her attitude to hosting parties and sharing souvenirs are societal stereotypes. Banks had been able to use his story to achieve a cross-generational appeal, pulling a variety of audience to his Tik-tok and Instagram pages.“Whether you are Yoruba, Hausa or Ibo, everyone has passed through a mother figure- be it your mum, your aunt, your sister or grandmother. We have all experienced what I portray in the drama. Even if it is not all, once in a while, you will be able to relate with what my content brings to the table. I cannot really say who my biggest fans are. I have grown-ups from their 30s to 50s and I have youths, ladies and teenagers who love my skit.”
As for his family and friends. His newly found fame means he might spend less time on leisure activities. Still, they are his support system, always there to cheer him on. Retrospectively, Banks argued that fame comes with both good and bad offerings.
Like every other segment of the economy, digital disruption has revolutionised the way businesses engage with customers. The rise of content creators in the era of digital platforms has been an eye-opener on the possibilities for youths and the young at heart to develop 21st skills that can change their lives and those of others.
Reflecting on how these social media apps have enabled creative entrepreneurs to have a voice, Banks explained: “It is not until you go for a lot of auditions in a month before you get to show your talent. And you will be forced to play a certain role. But with an app, you can do it yourself. You can write it down and express yourself. Show the originality that you possess. I feel like it has really helped. A lot of people have created a living from social media and it is boosting the Nigerian economy and everything and helping the youths.”
Apart from skit-making, he has been part of a television series aired on Youtube and Africa Magic Yoruba and he is looking forward to a Scene One Production, called Mama Put.
Away from skit making, Banks loved playing games, surfing the internet for news and videos. He cooks selectively. He might even be an introvert for he added, “I love meeting new people, not making friends.”
When quizzed about marriage and relationship, he said he was still single, but that was almost three months ago. Banks hoped to do more than entertain people although he didn’t offer any particular details about his plans for the future. And that’s what is expected of a “Mama Deola’’ character.
