My Jokes Are Not Signs Of Idleness

 

My Jokes Are Not Signs Of Idleness

-       Charles Okeze

Charles Okeze is a Quantity Surveyor by profession but he is widely known for his jokes on the social media. The Ibusa-born Post Graduate Diploma holder, in this interviewer speaks to Beta People of Oshimili North on a number of issues, anchored by EMEKA ESOGBUE and ELIZABETH AMUAMUZIAM. He speaks about his growing up years, engaging jokes on the social media, relationship with followers, and other interesting issues. Excerpts:    

Pen Master: Charles Okeze, may we please meet you?

Okeze: Alright, my name is Charles Okeze and I am from Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. Happily, I am married to my beautiful wife from Yorubaland and we have lovely children as a testimony of our marital vow. By profession, I am a registered Quantity Surveyor with Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in this discipline. Furthermore, I enjoy the status of the last born in my family.

Pen Master: (Laughing) Your jokes on the social media have won you several admirers including me and Elizabeth Amuamuziam, my sister with me here and maybe too, several others including those you might not know…

Okeze: (Laughing aloud) Thank you very much.

Pen Master: (Laughing) Anyway, additionally, some of your jokes often touch on women affairs. Are you a believer in polygamy?

Okeze: (Looking surprised with laughter) I am not from a polygamous family but I think polygamy is a choice. Anyway, I would rather advise men to marry two wives to reduce the number of single ladies in our society. That may also reduce extramarital affairs and snatching of husbands. It will also humble some wives who feel “it’s just me and my hubby alone”. Many women eligible for marriage are out there searching for who to call their own.

Pen Master: But issue of polygamy apart, from a good number of your jokes, you seem to have more female fans. Is this for a purpose?

Okeze: I learn from them because they gist a lot. I learn from their discussions with me.

Pen Master: Okay, but if you have the power to solve any global challenge, what would that be?

Okeze: I have said it before here that I would like to help our women eligible for marriage by making a law that would make every man take on two wives. That will help the single ladies. I will invite unity in the world and fight to eliminate terrorism.   

Pen Master: Now, we have been wondering where Charles Okeze derives inspirations for making jokes?

Okeze: The sources of my jokes are basically from the happenings within my environment. I am also good at transposition, fine tuning jokes for my personal use. With these I make my jokes speak.

Pen Master: You look very handsome. Should one say you took after any of your parents? And with this, how do you keep girls away from you?

Okeze: Thank you very much. My parents are wonderfully made but my father is vertically challenged. Maybe this is why he was a very intelligent man who was full of patience. He hardly forgot things and was well respected in Idumueije, Umuekea. As to how I manage to keep girls away, it is normal to see ladies that would appreciate me for what I do. Many men and women tell me that my jokes give them happiness and also brightens their day. Some of them also want to have a close rapport with me without any string attached. You must also understand that it doesn’t make me a perfect.

Pen Master: Tell us about your wife.

Okeze: I am married to a friend and not just a lady or woman from somewhere. She is calm, reserve and full of respect for everyone. I think she was my parent’s favourite. We have been married since 2005 and I have never seen her quarrel or exchange words with anyone. I may not be rich at the moment but having her is having everything. I am blessed to have such a wonderful wife like her.

Pen master: Do you mind if we ask how you two met?

Okeze: I met her in Abuja while I was on transfer. I further got transferred to Lagos but because the mutual relationship was already established, the marital vow followed after my proposal to her.

Pen Master: Now, how was growing up for Charles Okeze?

Okeze: I was born and brought up in Ebute Meta area of Lagos. Well, I would say that growing up was fun because I was raised in my neighbourhood with friends doing funny things. One thing I love so much while growing up was learning. I learnt from my siblings’ success and failures. They tended to guide me so I didn’t fail. They actually helped to shape my life.

Pen Master: Now, politics! Are you pleasantly surprised with the political representation given Ibusa so far?

Okeze: Honestly, I may not be able to dwell much on this question as I hardly visit home as much as you may expect. I have spent most part of my life in Rivers State. In any case, I thank God for the various Ibusa platforms that keep me enlightened. With the little I know, I would still say Ibusa has been well represented compared to other communities in the same Oshimili North Local Government Area. I thank the likes of Senator Nwaoboshi, the Ajuduas and the new Local Government Boss (Hon Innocent Esewezie). There are some I haven’t mentioned like the Onihea (Chief Roland Nwanze). They are wonderfully empowering our people. They are doing well at the moment but they need to do more. They need to bring more developments to Ibusa, empower more youths, enlighten them more on the reasons they should shun cultism and also equip our security officers.

Pen Master: Now, back to your social media jokes, do you recall any unusual comment that your ever attracted?

Okeze: Quite a lot of them. Well, some people feel that the reason I make jokes is because I am idle on the social media or because I am a jobless fellow. But in all, it has always been fun and fulfilment for me especially when some of these followers would say “you are the reason I am active on Facebook” or “Charles, we thought you have repented. They will also say something like “Charles, you need deliverance”.

Pen Master: Charles, The Ibusa community is lacking stand-up comedy. Are you willing to fill up this gap with events?

Okeze: (Smiles) I don’t think so because I am a shy person by nature. I have phobia for facing the crowd. I joke but I am still very shy. My shy nature might affect any live performance I engage in. It is better I don’t start it at all.     

Pen Master: Do you regret anything in life?

Okeze: I sometimes regret not learning a trade or not leaving this country for greener pastures.

Pen Master: What do you consider the biggest mistake you have made?

Okeze: Well, that should be my failure to negotiate my salary with one of the companies I once worked with.

Pen Master: So what is that thing most people don’t know about you?

Okeze? I was born a twin. Again, every time I visit home, I do so without the knowledge of my social media followers.

Pen Master: How do you relax?

Okeze: I love to play chess, table tennis and also keyboard. I love music generally.

Pen Master: Charles Okeze, we thank you for speaking to us

Okeze: Thank you too.