TUNDE EDNUT: LONDON'S NO. 1 NIGERIAN COMEDIAN

From a former University of Lagos student to London’s number one Nigerian comedians, Tunde Edut reveals himself to Ada Igboanugo.

INTRODUCTION:

Tunde Ednut is a Yoruba boy from Kogi State. He was born in the north but moved to Lagos when he was about five years of age up on till 2007 when he came to the U.K. he comes from a family of five in which he’s the second born.

VENTURE INTO COMEDY

Tunde started comedy in 1996 in secondary school but started professionally in the University Of Lagos. Then he used to mail Tee-A a lot “I really enjoyed his jokes back then. We got to meet years later, he was like: “are you the Tunde guy that used to mail me those days?”
His breakthrough though came when he was invited to perform at the Dynamiks Awards 2007. “After performing, I received a standing ovation. it was massive, I would never forget. I say a big thank you to Tunde (Publisher of Dynamiks Magazine) for the opportunity”. Unknown to him, amongst the crowd were Femi Amusan (biggest Nigerian presenter on BEN TV), Black nights Entertainment (biggest promoters of entertainment in the U.K owned by a Nigerian). They urged him to come perform in the U.K. From then on it got better. “I performed alongside Konga, Tuface, Danfo Drivers, Basket Mouth e.t.c at the Nigerian Independence Jam 2007”.

ACHIEVEMENTS

He won the Naija vs. Jamaica comedy competition along side another Nigerian named Babatunde. He is the first Nigerian to be nominated in the prestigious Black Entertainment Comedy Awards U.K known as B.E.C.A just a year after he went to the U.K though it was posted till later this year. He has been nominated twice in the Nigeria Future Awards (2007 &2008), Dynamiks Youths Awards (2007 & 2008) and finally won in 2009. He also took an award for the best Nigerian Comedian in the U.K and Young achievers awards. He also performed at the JJC live in Dublin concert with I go dye and he featured in the JJC's WE AFRICANS VIDEO.


PERFORMANCES

Tunde was the M.C at Ankara Festival 2008 hosted by BEN TV and also the Nottinhill Carnival (Nigerian Section) “I’ve performed at the Kojo Comedy Fun House, Linen & Lace on BEN TV, 9ice In London concert, P Square in London , Mr. Nigeria/U.K beautiful pageant 2007 & 2008, Mrs. Nigeria U.K pageant 2007 & 2008, Miss Nigeria/U.K. beauty pageant 2007 &2008, back in da days comedy show, olu maintain live in Manchester, L.O.L Xmas special, Owambe Easter fiesta 2009, Nigeria comedy show,48th Nigerian independence concert(co-hosted by me, featured Olu maintain, Basketmouth, Tony Tetuila, e.t.c),and many the list is endless”.
He also made a surprise appearance at the Kokomansion (reality TV hosted by D'banj) in Nigeria on the 8th of august. “He had seen one my videos 'TUNDE EDNUT KOKOMANSION'(it was a promo 4 my monthly show called the TUNDE EDNUT COMEDY PARK), .he said he liked the way I acted like him and asked me to come over”.
He also performed at the KOKO CONCERT in London on the 31st of august. “It was a wonderful experience. Thanks to Don jazzy, d'banj and the Mo'hits crew”

COMEDY SHOW

“Yes, I have a show titled the ‘TUNDE EDNUT COMEDY PARK’, which comes up every first Sunday of the month at planet Nollywood 319 Carmberwell rd south east London” . The show was launched on the 7th of May 2009 and featured the likes of Olu maintain and the Yahozee family. It also featured Jedi, Princess; Award winning Nigerian U.K based comedian Wale Gates, and Super Eagles player Sam Sodje who is a good friend of tunde’s.

PLANS OF RETURN

Tunde plans to return much later. “I do miss Nigeria. I miss everything about Nigeria. I miss my family; I miss my friends especially Laylow (music producer and one time presenter with Unilag fm) and Morachi. They inspired me a lot, it’s one of the best places to be in, people have to understand that .There is always a strong urge to come back, despite the bad roads, lack of electricity e.t.c, there are so many good things and people have to appreciate them, think about those representing Nigeria abroad, like Dele Momodu, Nwankwo Kanu, Chief Alistair Soyode (BEN TV C.E.O,.. one of the most populous black TV station in the U.K), e.t.c,.”


FANS IN NIGERIA

“I have a comedy sitcom coming up soon titled 'why not if not'. It’s not just going to be on BEN TV. I’m working with TV stations in Nigeria, so it’s going to be in the U.K and all over Nigeria”.

MUSICAL PLANS
Interestingly tunde used to be in the youth choir back then in church in Nigeria with Word base assembly okota. Right now though, he’s in the studio with a couple of artistes tying to record some songs and by God's grace it will be hitting the airwaves later this year.

ASIDE COMEDY

If he’s not doing comedy, Tunde loves eating a lot. He loves to listen to music also on music.gidilounge.com “it keeps me posted with the latest naija songs; I’m also into graphic designs and 3D animation. Also I can’t do without my facebook”