Rubies and Potters – SACO (Ayodele Okundalaiye)
Our special Rubies and Potters guest today is Ayodele Okundalaiye popularly known as SACO.
Rubies & Potters is a section on our blog where we bring to you great minds doing great things!
We’re taking time out to celebrate them and showcase them to the world in our own beautiful way.
Prior to this guest feature, we have featured several professionals and entrepreneurs in the “Rubies and Potters” section of our blog.
SACO is giving Rubies and Potters a different twist today, we are reminded that “as soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul” — A Jewish Proverb
Welcome on board Mr Okundalaiye, can we meet you?
My name is Ayodele Okundalaiye also know as SACO. I am from Owo local government in Ondo state, Nigeria.
Where do you currently reside? Lagos, Nigeria
When is your birthday? 6th of November
Which schools did you attend? I attended Owo Samson memorial school for my nursery to primary 4 education before I moved to Ikosi primary school, Ketu where I eventually finished my primary education. Then, I went to Ikosi high school, Ketu for my secondary education. I proceeded to the University of Ilorin, four years after secondary school.
What course did you study at the University of Ilorin? Accounting and Data processing
What do you do for a living? I am a stand up comedian within and outside Nigeria, I coordinate events too.
What is your stage name? SACO
Where did this stage name originate from? I got my stage name SACO from my intials S-Sunday A-Ayodele C-Chukwukamadu O-Okundalaiye, my first mentor in comedy also started calling me the Senior Advocate Of Comedy which kind of also forms the initial SAOC/SACO whichever haha..
Describe yourself in one word– God Fearing
Why did you study accounting initially? I think I just followed my parents instructions. LOL
Are you still practicing accounting? Not at all, but I plan my budgets. I plan my own expenditures and revenues hahaha
At what point did you decide being an MC and a stand up comedian was what you wanted to do for a living? I started making people laugh back in secondary school and also in church as a member of the choir, but I took it up as a profession officially on the 1st of October, 2005 when I got to the University and since then, I never looked back to do anything else.
We have observed that you tail the gospel part of comedy, tell us why – Like I said earlier, I started in church, the values, morals and ethics I learnt and still learning started in the church, this impact can’t be underplayed in my career. You can’t separate a man from who he truly is. Also in 2008, I met Holy Mallam who also grew up in church and is a successful and well known gospel standup comedian, since then I’ve been more encouraged to continue in this path.
Do you wish to remain a professional MC and comedian, or is this just a temporary/part time way out? Yes, I will remain a full time Master of ceremony with a sense of humor. Of course, I am doing other businesses by the side, I also won’t mind venturing into other fields but I will remain a Master of ceremony with a sense of humor.
Are you married? Yes, I am married to my friend of over ten (10) years and my wife of over five (5 )years. we are blessed with two children.
What impact has been married had on your career? Of course more responsibility, it has opened more doors to anchoring couple events, mentoring, more bills to pay too. LOL
Tell us about a memorable day or event in your career- The truth is, every event I have anchored is a memorable one because they all have different fulfilling experiences and learning points. However, the day I was called over to Salford, Manchester to anchor a church programme stands out the most as a day I will always remember.
What impact have your parents and siblings had on your career? My parents have been a great support to my career especially my mum and siblings. They even give me jokes sometimes.
What motivates you? God, my family,my past experience(especially as a waiter) and also events that I am able to witness.
Who are your mentors? Holy Mallam, Steve Harvey, Sir Alibaba(Grand mentor)
Can you share your favorite life quote with us? The difference between “Here” and “There” is the letter “T” and that “T” represents Time. Simple explanation is that once you are consistent with your talent, gifts and passion you will surely get to that place of fulfillment with “Time”. (Lovely!)
What about your favorite business quote(s)? Happy and satisfied clients are the benchmark for great business dynasties.
What are your aspirations in the next five (5) years? To be an A list Master of ceremony/Stand up comedian/and the 1st stand up comedian to have a coaching school.
What advice do you have for aspiring stand up comedians? Be clean ,consistent and family friendly.
You just had Spirit of SACO 2.0 Edition, share some learning points with us from planning and executing this huge and successful event: The purpose of organizing the Spirit of SACO 2.0 edition was to bring people together in an atmosphere of Praise and Worship, to enjoy family friendly jokes, and also to meet the need for this type of event on the mainland. First learning point, there must be a purpose for everything you want to do. The second thing I did was build a team that understood my vision. Second learning point, you achieve more with teamwork and a mix of ideas from great people. Also, I learnt to always have a plan B there will always be inconsistency. I learnt that leveraging on goodwill is good but not always the best not everyone especially those who offer services understand this. I learnt that early preparation is key. Finally, I learnt that at the center of it all, God is the ultimate.
If you were not a comedian, what else would you have loved to be? A Musician
What is your favorite food? Errm, that will be rice and stew
Do you have a political ambition? If yes, what will that be? My sister, I have no political ambition
A lot of young Nigerians have lost faith in the country, what advice do you have for the Nigerian Youth? Believe in Nigeria because every other great country you see today was a dream of some young people who at some point believed in their country.
Please give us one JOKE to wrap up this interview session (LOL) .I have issues with people that feel they have to speak English compulsorily. When my mum had her birthday on the 28th of August last year, some days later this guy calls me and says happy posthumous birthday to your mum, (LMBO) I rejected it immediately and since then I have not received any of his Calls.The moral of this joke is “be yourself”
Any closing remark? I celebrate all my Fans. God bless you all for your love and support. Thank you FamilyRubies for this feature.
Thanks for gracing our page SACO! We wish you long life and prosperity. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
He who laughs, lasts! — Mary Pettibone Poole
It is bad to suppress laughter. It goes back down and spreads to your hips. — Fred Allen
Laugh my friend, for laughter ignites a fire within the pit of your belly and awakens your being. —Stella & Blake
Laughter has no foreign accent. — Paul Lowney
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