By CHRISTY ANYANWU
Mandy is the first female comedienne in Nigeria. The Delta State entertainer holds a B.Sc in Political Science and started her career on television in the then Charley Boy Show before her foray into the world of comedy. She’s also a seasoned Master of Ceremonies. She spoke with Sunday Sun about her firsts.
First day as a comedienne?
I’m Nigeria’s first female comedienne. My first time as a comedienne was not funny and my poor manager then, Thompson Tabi suffered. I rehearsed like I would die. I was so scared that I could literally see and feel the butterflies in my tummy. But when I opened my mouth, the rest, like they say, is history.
First day on stage?
It was girl’s night out. The event was organized by hip-hop magazine.
First car?
It was a Starlet. I gave the car to my mum when I bought a Honda CRV. It was red in colour. I bought it for N200,000 way back then and it served me well. Now, I use a Honda Pilot.
First salary?
It was N6,000. I got the money from Charley Boy. Initially, when I came to Lagos I worked for Charley Boy. That was in 1992 on his segment called Candid Camera. The MD of New Wave Production, Gloria Young, asked if I wanted to collect my salary and I said no she should keep it for me till when I was ready to go back to school. When I wanted to go back, I asked for my salary and she gave me N6,000. That was big money then. I became a big girl in school. I even used part of the money to buy a fridge.
First pet?
It was a parrot gift from my late dad. My dad had to travel to the North and came back with three beautiful parrots. He gave my sisters and I one parrot each. One thing I vividly remember of the parrot was that it mimicked us when we talked.
First trip abroad?
That was in 1987 when I visited Paris. When I was in secondary school in Benin, my school, New Era Girls entered a French competition from state level. My school won and we went to Gongola State for the national competition and in that competition, I won best actress and was given a scholarship to go to France. That was in my second year in secondary school.
First day in labour room?
If I share my first labour room experience you will laugh but to cut the long story short, I almost lost my daughter. I was rushed to the theatre for CS. When I woke up, I was still under the drugs, so I could see my mum in the ambulance as they were taking me back to the ward and my mum said “You have a beautiful daughter” and I was like are her five fingers and five toes on each foot complete? My mum said yes and I went back to sleep. Till I left the hospital they were all calling me five fingers and five toes. I’m a single mum of the world’s most beautiful daughter. My daughter’s name is April.
First kiss?
That was in 1987, from my boyfriend, because I was traveling out of the country to Paris.