By Debo Popoola
Afeez Oyetoro popularly known as Saka came to limelight in 2013, featuring in TV commercials, home videos and sitcoms. His “I don Port” tv commercial, where he switched from Etisalat to MTN, became an instant airwave hit. Rumour had it then that he was paid millions of naira for that commercial. After that, things started on the upward turn for him as he became a popular face on Lagos highways billboards, newspapers and magazine commercials, he became an ambassador for MTN and his fame surged up like an dammed water breaking its confinement.
Saka, the light-skinned comedian became a household name all over the country as he was featured in music videos, he became a brand that other brands used to gain popularity. He was so popular that former president Goodluck Jonathan offered to give him an appointment which he humbly declined, according to him.
But as ephemerality of life will play itself in the life of the comedian, things started on a downward trend early 2015. His face on billboards of Lagos highways was replaced with new and emerging stars. He is rarely seen in TV Commercials as well as newspapers, Saka’s name gradually vaporized into the dark cloud of obscurity.
Saka’s case is not different from many other popular personalities who came to limelight suddenly and were swept off suddenly like they came. It is widely said that it is more difficult to remain in limelight than coming into it. The reality of test of time will always play a critical factor.
There was a time when names like Liz Benson, Regina Askia, Sandra Achums, Tony Tetuila, Styl Plus, and many others names were the recurrent names in the Nigeria’s entertainment industry. These names were often featured in newspapers and magazines, but the reality of test of time played against them and these names might sound strange or even ring a bell in the ears of many. Even before the emergence of these names mentioned, there had been other popular celebrity names that only older ones among us can recall which we cannot.
But some have remained relevant from time to time, and they have been able to do this by smile of luck and personal hard work. But even with this, they only retained a little percentage of how famous they used to be; such is life.
Some names have become instant hit recently: Jumoke Osaguna is still making the wave, so also names of entertainers like Wizkid, Davido, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Sawage, Korede Bello and many others. But the truth is these names, as popular as they are now, will not all remain relevant in three of four years to come. Other acts will emerge to push them aside like they too had done to their predecessors.
