Although popular comedian, Ayo Makun, also known as AY, on Wednesday apologised to his fans and Big Brother Naija’s TBoss for making a joke about the
Although popular comedian, Ayo Makun, also known as AY, on Wednesday apologised to his fans and Big Brother Naija’s TBoss for making a joke about the sexual molestation she experienced, the controversy the humour generated has not abated.
he joke had not gone down well with comedy fans who also felt that it was in bad taste. The fans had accused Makun and comedienne Helen Paul of trivialising the seriousness of the offence allegedly committed by one of TBoss’ fellow BBN housemates, Kemen, against her.
The comedian, who also added two video clips of the ‘offending’ joke, wrote, “I know that a lot of people did not see the joke before lashing out at me and no amount of effort to explain myself will do any good. I have decided to upload this so that Nigerians and, indeed, all fans of the AY brand will be informed about what really transpired.
“I want to apologise to @officialTboss, the entire Tboss nation and Nigerians who interpreted the joke to meaning that I was promoting rape. It was never my intention to come across as a supporter of any form of assault carried out against women.
“I was only inspired to share the joke when I learnt that Kemen came out, alongside other worshippers, when Pastor Paul Adefarasin asked those under immense pressure, to the point of contemplating commit suicide to step out for prayers.
“As I said in the joke, I have a wife and daughter and I will never be in support of any such action that is designed to promote rape or any form of sexual offence against women.”
While another comedian, I go Dye, has expressed support for AY, TBoss has broken her silence over the matter, saying she would no more allow anyone to trivialise the issue.
She noted in an online post on Thursday, “First of all, I will like to thank everyone who supported me in my Big Brother Naija journey. I’m beyond grateful for your time and the immense efforts and resources to get me to the Top 3. It has been a big adjustment for me coming back home to Nigeria and concerning the attention my participation in the show attracted. Why I’ve tried to adjust as fast as I can, certain incidents have happened in the past week that have been difficult to shake off.
“I am not unaware of the thousands who raised their voices in my defence. I am extremely grateful to you all. I have realised that in the foreseeable future, I will always be in the eye of the storm and that is why I have chosen to be measured in my approach and speech. I am however not oblivious to it all. Words are powerful but actions speak louder. Over the next few weeks, I will align myself with several courses that promote and uphold the values I hold dear. Going forward, I will no longer allow myself to be put in situations that trivialise and attempt to normalise the unfortunate incident that happened to me on March 5th in the Big Brother Naija house. Conversations must be had on the importance of consent.”
