It is not just enough to say that you have struggled to
make something out of nothing, when you don’t
have anything to show for it.
Ayo Richard Makun, popularly known as AY is
outstanding in his profession as a comedian
because he didn’t allow the hurdles he
encountered earlier in life to deter him from his
dreams; today he has a lot to show for it.
His University days were filled with tales that
would make a block-buster movie if scripted. But
that did not change his mind-set as he was
determined to get to his God-given destination.
In this edition, we celebrate an icon who has
affected so many young lives and whose shows
have launched so many entertainers into
spotlight, but whose greatest wish is for his
parents to be alive to see what he has become.
How far has AY gone?
AY is a father and he is married to Mabel. He is
multi-talented, a multi-award winning standup
comedian, and one of the most successful comic
acts Nigeria has produced.
AY gained fame through mimicking Rev. Chris
Okotie in his hilarious jokes, and by 2006 he was
called the Best Up-Coming Comedian in Nigeria.
He comes across easily, as Nigeria’s most
creative comedian. He is also an established
Compere, radio and TV presenter. He is a
promoter, producer, actor, director, writer and an
amazing event manager.
Ayo Makun is the host of one of Nigeria’s largest
comedy shows known as the “AY live”. He is the
director and also acts in AY’s Crib. Great
Comedians like Helen Paul and Bovi arguably had
their breaks from his shows. AY is the owner of
Corporate World entertainment, Nigeria, Mr.
Corporate is an award he won severally in his
university days. It is no wonder, he loves the
name.
AY Live enjoys huge attendance in Nigeria and
London. In 2007, he held Lagos spellbound when
the second edition of AY Live, Lagos Invasion
drew a record crowd forcing him to do two shows
in one day instead of one as planned. A similar
feat was re-enacted in Nigeria’s Federal Capital
City when AY Live, Abuja Invasion gave Abuja a
standstill; it became Abuja’s most attended
entertainment event ever.
He owns one of the biggest and most comfortable
club houses in Nigeria. Ayo Makun has invested
heavily in stand-up comedy as he has influenced
so many upcoming comedians through his AY
“Open Mic Challenge”. AY just recently premiered
his latest movie titled ‘30 Days in Atlanta’ shot in
the US.
But it was not always like this for AY…
He was already in 300 Level when he decided to
study a course different from his original course
which is Music. It was so difficult to change, so
he did the almost impossible by buying another
Jamb form.
He wrote the exam, passed it and was given
admission to study Theatre Arts from 100 level,
but he wasn’t perturbed as he was happy
studying his dream course. In-between studying
music and changing to Theatre Arts Department,
AY spent about eight years doing a-four year
programme.
Even though AY was exceptional student, he had
to sponsor himself through the University,
although he was very young. Ayo Makun was
raised in a very humble home; he lost both
parents pretty early and had to take the
responsibility of being a father to his siblings.
He was forced to pick up the challenge of sending
his younger ones to school while he was there
himself. AY is the first male child amongst seven
children, so it was not out of place when he had
to wear the shoes of his parents at a tender age.
AY became a popular photographer just to make
ends meet in school. He contested for different
corporate competitions which he won, of which
the proceeds of which he used to pay tuition.
Along the line, using the platform of Delta State
University, AY became the biggest event organiser
on campus. He launched and hosted shows like
Miss Delsu, Miss Delta, Face of Delsu and many
others.
He didn’t give up even when he was gang-beaten
by some cultists oncampus because he had
beautiful girls flocking around him. Most ladies
who went for Miss Nigeria and even to the Miss
World Pageant from Delta State University in his
time were managed by AY. But he was doing all
these without actually making much money, until
he graduated and moved to Lagos, to a bigger
and brighter future.
