I wish to be a Pilot -Yaw

On a blessed Friday, 11th of March 2016, something really big happened at Wazobia FM, and the big thing are that the HUSH CREW visited the biggest OAP in Wazobia FM. The day started lovely with exciting occurrences on the road to Wazobia FM. Here we have it finally to your view, enjoy

HUSH: Please tell us about 'Yaw'

YAW: My name is Steve Onu fromAnambra State,Awka to be specific. I was born in Lagos, grew up in Lagos. Basically, I've been here all my life. I studied theatre arts from Lagos State University, OJO (LASU), I also have a diploma from the same university. I'm number seven out of 10 kids and I am an entertainer That'sAll.

HUSH: So, how did you come about that name,YAW!!!

YAW: Yaw started more from when we started with 'Flat-mates' and then I had to come up with a catch phrase for the character in the play. So I said “nwa u paw paw mhen,Yaw!”And then the thing stuck. Sometime in between 2005 and 2006, I had to do a song for Nigga Raw and all he wanted me to do was say “nwa u paw paw mhen,Yaw!” So Raw started calling meYaw and everywhere I went to, people called meYaw. In 2008, when Wazobia FM started finally, the name to be used on air had to be indigenous so I had to use the nameYaw. It was just so easy for me to use because people had already started calling meYaw by then and it was easier for me to just flow with that.

HUSH: Was flat mates your firstTV appearance?

YAW: Well flat mates were not the first, I was in the twilight zone which also featured the likes of Derenle, Kofi, Biola Loba, Biola Kiki, Kayode Peters, Okechukwu Chima, Seun Kentebe, Dayo Davids and so on. Back then, we used to sing this song 'Shake body'-*sings* whether you like am, whether you no like am, the thing be to say o you go still dey shake body That was what we did back then.

HUSH: What was it like Growing up?

YAW: Then, I used to stay in Lawson and then we moved to Ipaja. However, growing up wasn't easy a bit like I'm sure it wasn't for most people that did during my time, particularly when one is not rich. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm from a very poor background because even though we stayed in face me I slap you house, we had 5 rooms to ourselves. A lot of people stayed in one room and used curtains to divide the room. But we had 5 rooms to ourselves so we're not poor like that. You know, things have changed now. I grew up when, in my opinion, parents had time for their kids. In particular, mothers had time for their kids. Not nowadays that parents don't have time because of the economy and the way things are now And so, wanting to study theatre wasn't so easy for me because my parents never supported me in any way in particular, especially my mum. But hey! I said I wanted to do theatre and then she 'tried' to support me (emphasis on the word 'tried'). In the end, we thank God. I started doing home videos about 21 years ago. Hustling for home video jobs around Surulere, Festac, and a couple of other places before I decided I wanted to go to school. I went to LASU 1995/96 session and I picked it up from there.

HUSH: Obviously has it turned well for you?

YAW: Yeah…luck had nothing to do with it though; it took a lot of hard work, persistence, and God's Favour. It's God! You can't rule out the God factor.

HUSH: What is comedy to you?

YAW: Comedy is a way of life as far as I'm concerned. Comedy is what gives happiness. Comedy is what elongates life. Comedy is what you see that triggers some fun or happiness. For me, those are the definitions I have for comedy.

HUSH: What influenced your decision going into that line?

YAW: Hmmm. I think we all have mentors in one way or another. Me, I also wanted to tow that line not because I saw them on TV and then I wanted to be like them. Believe me, in Nigeria, people that grew up in my time, most people had dreams to be one thing and then they ended up being something else. I wanted to be a pilot not into show biz. I loved to see the plane fly and I wanted to learn to drive the plane. That's just all. But along the line, here I am. I'm not doing that. But it wasn't because of me watching some people on TV No! Rather my mum also sensed in me that I wanted to toe the line of the arts. She has always said that thing even at the early stage when I wanted to go into arts, she refused because she told me to point blank that it was obvious you were going to be wayward. So it wasn't because of anybody in particular but growing up with time, you tend to like some people. But then I can't remember if I ever had it in mind that because I saw RMD on TV, I wanted to be like RMD. I can't remember if I ever thought like that growing up.

HUSH: So, it was just something that came naturally…

YAW: Yes it came naturally all because I felt like, ok, I've got something in me that makes me say I can be like a comic actor or I can do comedy or something. It just came natural or rather; I'd end up an entertainer. I think to a large extent, I had the belief that I was going to end up an entertainer

HUSH: It's quite obvious that you're a very industrious person. You are an actor, producer, director, and OAP. What rewards have you gotten from all these?

YAW: When It comes to rewards, hmmm financially, just there. Awards now are too numerous to count. I think I've won over 50. Then, I was also opportune to lift the Olympic touch in 2012, the last Olympics. Yeah, they chose 7000 people in the whole world to lift the touch and they chose 10 people from the whole of West Africa. So, I was one of the 10 that was chosen to lift the Olympic touch. And then, the former president, President Goodluck Jonathan wanted 100influencial youths and then I was also one of them. So, the list is just on. I don't really count all those really, but I'm grateful for them though. I am not so moved by the awards n all. Rather, I'm moved by wanting to touch lives and make Nigeria better.

HUSH: Basically, has it been satisfying so far?

YAW:Yes, to a large extent, but it can never be enough.

HUSH:There are a lots of students that right now, they either want to go into comedy, music, acting etc. and then, school comes and the struggle to get a degree also come in to play. For those kind of people, what's your advice to them?

YAW: For them, “I love to always tell people and always say to them that talent is Important but education is paramount”. It is important that you're educated and discover and be convinced that you have that talent for it. If you don't have the talent, my dear, why go into it? Because you'll just be like a flash in the pan in the industry You'll definitely not last. So the best thing for you is to do what you're supposed to do, do the right thing.And then, after school or definitely while still in school like you guys are doing now, you're doing this.Tomorrow now, you're there on CNN, somebody will just say she's so lucky. I tell people, luck got nothing to do with it. If you don't do it before, forget it. It's not entirely luck so you must also work. Work very hard.They should keep it up, just keep it up and then, they should find where their strength is. I tell people it is not everyone that would make headlines but we'll definitely eat from the same job. It's not a must that everybody must be on the front page of every newspaper. But definitely, you'll eat from it, everyone should be satisfied. Basically, Education is paramount, talent is important. Yeah!

HUSH:There's this trivial question; would you rather go a week without bathing and get to change your clothes or bath for week and wear the same clothes?

YAW: So far I can do wash and wear, I'm okay with it. Okay, even if you don't bath, make sure the top and bottom are well taken care of. I think I'd rather change clothes. Perfume dey, roll on self dey, we go use all of them join body

HUSH: Please tell us about 'Yaw'