Efosa Iyamu popular known as efex de Entertainer is a man of many parts. Apart from organizing his comedy show seriously funny with efex where he use the platform to promote upcoming comedian and music acts in his state of birth, Edo State. He double as the Chief Protocol officer to the Chairman of All Progress Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and The CEO Efosa Iyamu Initiative a non-profit organization whose aim is to feed the streets kids and give them education. He said it has not been easy but he chose to continue not because he has much to give but because he knows what it takes not to have. In this interview, he talks about his Humanitarian activities, the political activities that has been going on in Edo State and the the potential aspirant that supposed to get the party ticket.
1.Efosa iyamu Initiative started all this palliative and give away years back, what informed your decisions to start and how has been the journey so far? :-
The Efosa Iyamu initiative started years ago with lending a helping hand to the orphans and vulnerable in the society, giving a helping hand to street kids, feeding them, clothing and sending them back to school… we even go to schools making school uniforms for some of the less privileged that couldn’t afford good ones.. go to various hospitals and take care of hospital bills and also put a smile on the faces of the patients..
There have been a lot of cases via our social media platforms where people really get as much aids as we could also give… because most times as well, myself and my team members just randomly walk into a university (and through the help of head’s of departments or class reps) we have also been able to pay school fees for some of the university students who can’t afford it.. some people have also been able to nominate and we do our checks and balances and go ahead with doing what we can do…
I have told people who care to listen that WE DONT GIVE BECAUSE WE HAVE TOO MUCH, BUT WE GIVE BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES NOT TO HAVE SOMETIMES..
May God continue to help us because so far, we have been enjoying doing the good works that God is using us and our partners to do…
- Now Covid-19 is here that has crumble so many business and ways of life, how has your foundation impacting life and how do you respond? :-
The pandemic has come as a shock to the world and so far a lot of jobs, means of lively hoods and businesses have suffered a down time and crash which is very very bad.. I feel so bad for a lot of people who can’t even afford their square meals daily anymore,
my foundation still tries everyday to give the little we can..
Just some days ago, via our social media platforms- we had people nominate people around them who can’t afford to eat at this moment and we tried to get some people to get there and deliver the little we could at this point… in about a week, we were able to reach well over 200 families and we are still doing more as the day comes..
We also have been contacted by some families who have ailing family members and we have been able to either contribute to carry out surgical operations or pay for medications and pay hospital bills as the case may be..
God has just been faithful to us as a nation and as a world, but HE has been using a lot of good hearted Nigerians to cater for the needs of others who can’t afford a good life..
- Running a charity organization like Efosa iyamu initiative is capital intensive, how do you source for funds? :-
To be honest, it was not as easy as I thought… I actually got the idea one day I was at the airport waiting to catch a flight for my events… and I said to myself THAT AS MUCH AS GOD WILL BLESS ME, I WILL FOREVER BLESS OTHERS…
the first idea that came to my mind was to feed street kids and take care of their schooling or trade… and so far we have been able to do as much as possible.. and my idea of the whole thing was that I will fund it from my salaries or monthly income no matter how much or how small.. because some people’s ideas of a foundation is that they will depend on the contribution of other people and that will loose the whole idea (I don’t judge anybody) but I think it is better we all try in starting with what we have and if other goodwill donations come, then it’s a big plus…
I have been privileged with a number of good friends and family members who have been encouraged by what we do as a foundation, and have been giving a helping hand one way or the other.. so far we have been doing as much as we can afford, but we will continue to do more by the grace of God.
- Do you think individuals and cooperate organizations are doing enough to give back to society especially in this pandemic? :-
To be honest, YOU CANT GIVE WHAT YOU DONT HAVE… I’m very sure everyone is giving as much as they can afford because it’s not really easy for everyone…
now some companies are allegedly dropping some staff, businesses are closing down and families are feeling a lot of down time.. so I think plenty people are doing as much as they can…
- What was your take on people calling on entertainers to do give away in this Period? :-
Well I don’t have a problem with that, like I said earlier— YOU CANT GIVE WHAT YOU DONT HAVE.. na who get Dey give others…
I can tell you categorically that a lot of entertainers are doing a lot that we don’t put up on social media or we don’t have to announce it to the world…
people do a lot trust me— but it’s almost impossible to reach out to more people…
And some people have been doing every minute without telling others…
- You are into Humanitarian, an entertainer and as well as Chief Protocol officer to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, how do you combine these three parts of you without one conflicting another? :-
The Lord has been my muscle, because it’s not easy…
but I have staff in all of my establishments and they are very very capable that’s why they were employed… so I have been able to manage all spheres of influence in my places of work…
and Comrade Adams Oshiomole is the best boss ever because I couldn’t have asked for a better boss and leader / Mentor..
I appreciate him a lot and I thank God for the strength we get everyday to carry on.
- You have been in government for well over 10 years, will you advise the federal government to credit all Nigerian to cussion the effect of Covid-19 or how best can they distribute Covid-19 palliative to The people that need it? :-
The federal government have been doing what they think is best for the good people of nigeria…. we have persons who are saddled with these responsibilities so I think they are doing their job as much as they possibly can..
- You have been actively involved in Edo politics and loyal to Oshiomhole’s camp why Should Obaseki not go for second term? :-
Why should Obaseki not get a second term?
But you know I’m not the person giving either a 1st term or second term right?
- What are the qualities the next governor of Edo State should possess? :-
Anybody who will be Governor of edo any day should PLEASE just love the people of edo state irrespective of the divide…
no matter the political party, please just have love for everybody because that will help in doing anything no matter the time.
- Engr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Ize-Iyamu, General Charles and Odubu who do you think should get the party ticket and why? :-
Well if you ask me and in all sincerity, I think EFOSA EFEX IYAMU Should get it… because he’s from edo state and has a lot of potentials as well….
Thanks a lot
