Comedian Bayegun Oluwatoyin, popularly known as Woli Arole, rose to prominence from his social media skits and clergy parody. With over 450,000 followers on Instagram, Woli Arole tells Newton-Ray Ukwuoma in this interview, how his career has impacted lives. Excerpts:How did you come about the name Woli Arole?
It was inspired. God gave me the name.
How did you receive it?
I heard it. It dropped into my spirit (Be ni). It is spirit born; my parents did not give me the name.
What does it mean?
Arole means heir to a throne, like an heir to a kingdom.
You once said during an interview that you are a real prophet. Do you get prophecies like revelations?
Yes. I have a gift of the prophecy as part of my spiritual gifts.It was given to me when I was a child, but there is a part of me that loves comedy. I have been a stand-up comedian since my days in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Most times, it is influenced by my spiritual gift. So, when I talk to people both sides manifest. That is why it may seem that my jokes are prophetic.
Some may argue that prophecy is a serious gift, one that shouldn’t be played with. How do you react to that?
My comedy is more real and serious than funny. I pray for people for real and there are some sensitive issues I don’t talk about. God helps me to know when to draw the line between my gift and my talent. I have a prophetic gift and my talent is comedy. God helps me to balance the two. In the end, I make people happy. For instance, I pray for people on social media every first Friday of the month. People have testimonies after the prayers.
As a prophet and someone who loves God, what kind of joke will you say is blasphemous?
Jokes that insult God, that abuse men of God or mock the idea of Christianity are blasphemous. You can’t catch me speaking in tongues or abusing men of God on stage. I wouldn’t do jokes that demean God.
How do you feel when you make people laugh and at the same time pray for them?
I feel blessed. That’s the best word.
You were known for your comedy skits on Instagram. What encouraged you to continue?
The joy my skits bring to people basically motivates me. I would say that God inspired my skits. My first skit was posted on a Sunday, it was about prayer points. I basically went into the bush and began to pray as people in white garment churches do. People loved it. And I have never stopped.
Do you have a Cherubim and Seraphim background?
Yes. I was born into it. I am from Ondo State, but my mother is from Ekiti State. My parents are members of Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S). I am proud about it. You know as the Fuji musicians promote their brand, as Hip-Hop singers celebrate their craft that is the same way I promote my background in Cherubim and Seraphim church, especially the manner in which they pray and fast.
I have also attended churches like Christ Apostolic Church and Mountain of Fire and Miracles. All of these churches have inspired me and I feel I owe them a debt to promote them within and outside Nigeria through comedy. I am basically celebrating my religion.
Do you think your social media skits have made some impacts in that direction?
Yes, absolutely. I believe I have touched the lives of young people within and outside Nigeria. A lot more people now know about C&S and other churches through my skits. I also believe my skits have therapeutic value. It relieves stress. With data and a smartphone, you can be cured of frustration, depression, sorrow and pain with my skits. I am therapist by right.
Would you say that this has also opened doors for you?
Yes! I have met a lot of people. I make people laugh. I have been an inspiration to a lot of people. I can’t deny that it has opened doors for me. It has also put food on my table and that of my family. But the greatest joy comes when people stop to commend my efforts.
Would you say stardom has been good to you so far?
I don’t really call it stardom. The opportunity to know more people, to make them laugh has been good. I think that is the greatest feeling anyone can have in this world, to be a source of joy and blessing to so many people in the world.
How often do you post your skits on social media?
It depends on the leading. But once I am inspired to record, I take advantage of it. I could post about five a day. The best of my skits are the ones I did off-hand. The scripted ones do not get much viewing as the spontaneous ones. So, I do more spontaneous videos.
Have you ever been attacked because of a bad joke?
No. I don’t say things that demean people. I’ve met some celebrities and men of God. They like me because of what I tell them.My favourite line is usually Ogo Atorise, Ogo to ni Agbarani (The glory of Atorise is strong). And everybody has glory. And it’s funny. I even say stuff about politicians in their presence, and they love what I do.
You have made skits about Governor Fayose. Was it a comedy or prophecy?
It was a prophecy that was funny. God gave me the break into the industry through social media
Can you share the prophecy you got for governor Fayose?
[Laughs] That’s funny. I can’t remember. But I remember I said Ogo Osoko.
What does that mean?
Yes. Because it’s spontaneous.
Have you thought of taking your prophetic gift more serious and perhaps abandoning comedy?
It is a platform for me. And people know that it is not ordinary, they know that this guy is not doing this for food, they know that there is a touch of God in it. God helps me to balance the two. Glory be to God.
You were in London for NottingHill carnival. Were you invited to the carnival by other celebrities or clients?
I had a show in London. It was MC Abbey’s show. The Nigerian community realised I was in London and they featured me at the NottingHill Carnival to just make people happy and also to promote the Nigerian culture and people in the diaspora.
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