Naps press recently met one of UI’s finest, our very own, a student of the department of Philosophy, a beautiful comedian and MC, please, enjoy this interview with Awoniyi Temitayo, popularly known as Say D truth!
NAPS PRESS: Can we meet you?
TAYO: I’m Temitayo Awoniyi, an indigene of Osun State and a 400L student of this great department. I am the second child from a family of six. I’m the only son. I was born in Ibadan and I am still based in Ibadan…*Ibadan to the bone fa*. I attended Seed of Life Nursery and Primary School, and then United Secondary School. Now I am a student of the University of Ibadan. My favourite food is Pounded Yam and Egusi/Vegetable soup. I love colours black and blue.
NAPS PRESS: Ok, what is your relationship status?
TAYO: I am taken. *laughs*
NAPS PRESS: hmmm…ok. That’s good to hear. So, did you choose philosophy or did philosophy choose you?
TAYO: I simply chose philosophy o.
NAPS PRESS: Aside philosophy, what else do you?
TAYO: Comedy! And I model.
NAPS PRESS: How did comedy start for you?
TAYO: I started from introducing my then dance group (Calvary Dancers) on stage whenever we are to perform anywhere. I have always wanted to handle the mic. Then I started cracking jokes during church programmes and now I’m here. I even have a show coming up on 20th November 2015. It’s here in UI, at the Faculty of Arts Large Lecture Theatre, themed ‘Road to Stardom with SayDTruth and Friends’.
NAPS PRESS: We hope UI and UItes have been supportive?
TAYO: UItes are special people. As long you can stand out, you are good to go. I believe Comedy in UI is vibrant although Halls, Faculties, and Departmental executives always try to short-pay us but God dey. We have talented comedians, the likes of 2Talk, G Jokes,…
NAPS PRESS: What do you think about artists/comedians using stimulants to enhance their performance on stage?
TAYO: If you are a rapper or singer, a little portion of ‘hemp’ may be needed to pave the way for songs, in short, music artists may need small ‘igbo’ sometimes, but I cannot advise anyone to engage in such. However, as a comedian, taking hemp or ‘igbo’ will not help at all. It will only make you do the ‘cracking’ and ‘laughing’ most time on stage all by yourself.
NAPS PRESS: Wow, that’s quite interesting. What are your likes and dislikes?
TAYO: I like transparency and clarity.
NAPS PRESS: Tell us about your most memorable day(s) in UI.
TAYO: I think it was the day I won 100,000 naira when I was in 100L. It was during the Amstel Malta Showtime where I performed as a comedian.
NAPS PRESS: Tell us about your memorable day(s) in life.
TAYO: The day I participated in the Splash FM/ICPC Marathon race in 2009. There were over 1,000 participants! It was such a lovely, interesting, and unforgettable day.
NAPS PRESS: Did you win the race?
TAYO: Win ke? I got the 16th position. I was busy stopping for bananas and water. *laughs* You know, it’s the spirit of ‘I cannot come and die’ that made me relax and not win the race.
NAPS PRESS: *Laughs* Tell us about your happiest moment(s).
TAYO: The day I performed at Night of a Thousand Laugh in 2002. I was commended that night by so many big names in the comedy industry.
NAPS PRESS: Do you have any entrepreneurial skill(s)?
TAYO: I can talk!…*laughs*
NAPS PRESS: Who are your closest friends in philosophy?
TAYO: Bajomo Damilola, Mr. Awoniyi Kehinde, Adewale Ronke, Nike
NAPS PRESS: Who is your role model?
TAYO: Ha! Basket Mouth
NAPS PRESS: If you could date a classmate, who would it be?
TAYO: Oladele-Taiwo Olamide. She’s my kind of person.
NAPS PRESS: Who in your opinion is the most promising finalist and why?
TAYO: Everyone is promising, fa*.
NAPS PRESS: Who in your opinion is the most admirable finalist and why?
TAYO: Mr. Kenny Awoniyi. He is dependable and humble.
NAPS PRESS: Who in your opinion is the most enterprising finalist and why?
TAYO: That’s Olatubosun Taiwo and Opatoye Fiyinfoluwa aka Machiavelli.
NAPS PRESS: Who would you say is the most controversial finalist?
TAYO: Ha! Obinna. Although he is one sharp Ibo guy with ‘Igbotic’ views of life.
NAPS PRESS: What are your favourite courses?
TAYO: I love PHIs 102, 202, 206, 201, 406, 205, 203, and 413.
NAPS PRESS: Who is your favourite lecturer?
TAYO: I love them all.
NAPS PRESS: Of all the philosophers you have studied so far, who is your favourite and why?
TAYO: Socrates. He was a distinct philosopher that walked his talks.
NAPS PRESS: Who in your opinion is the most respected finalist?
TAYO: Mr. Kenny. He is humble and tolerant.
NAPS PRESS: Who in your opinion is the most sophisticated finalist and why?
TAYO: Bajomo Damilola. She is obviously sophisticated. You can easily see the manifestations of God’s endowment when you see her.
NAPS PRESS: Who do you think is the friendliest finalist?
TAYO: Dauda Fatimah. She is modest and matured.
NAPS PRESS: How has the journey been so far?
TAYO: The journey has been good and challenging. In all, I give thanks to Baba mi loke.
NAPS PRESS: After UI, what next?
TAYO: To create for myself a good name and make life worth living for destinies attached to my destiny.
NAPS PRESS: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
TAYO: Mh
en, I see myself living my dream life.
NAPS PRESS: What is your philosophy of life?
TAYO: Life is in phases, enjoy the good times and learn from the bad times. Life is good.
NAPS PRESS: Advice for Napsites
TAYO: We should all try to combine our reasoning prowess with our various religious beliefs. Faith is good but reasoning keeps one on his toes as a living soul.
NAPS PRESS: Final words.
TAYO: Be good!
