Gladys Otomo Atsenokhai, an ex-staff of AIT who is now an MC/Comedienne in Dublin, has shared her inspiring story with Nigerian Women’s diary (NWD).
Read the interview excerpts below:
NWD: You had a major life altering accident. Can you tell us about
what let to it & how it has affected you personally & career
wise
Ans: 2003 is forever etched in my mind and I carry both emotional and
physical scars as reminder. It was the year my colleagues and I were
involved in a ghastly motor accident in which over sixty people died
including my camera man. I was working as a news reporter for AIT and we
were returning to Lagos after monitoring the elections in Plateau
state. That incident remains the most traumatic experience of my life. I
can still vividly recall the dead bodies spawn all over the place and
hear the tormented cries of the wounded. I remember seeing my mangled
hand after I regained consciousness but could only sing praises to God
in the light of the horror around me. I could not cry not because of
shock but was grateful to be alive.
That night I experienced first-hand
the patriotic and humane side of Nigerians as ordinary people and rescue
agencies were on hand to help the survivors. Right there on the ground I
started making plans for my future, the topmost agenda was to impact
lives. Three days later in the hospital I requested for pen and paper
and started practicing how to write with my left hand as I was naturally
right handed before the accident. I jokingly tell my friends that as
long as I was alive, there was money to be made and I needed to perfect
my signature. My faith and sense of humour helped cushion the pain of
loss. Most times I was out of my bed visiting other patients, making
them laugh and encouraging them. I considered myself the “humour
doctor”.
I believed when you share a smile, you save a life! A month
after the accident I was back anchoring the news with a bandage on my
hand. Many thanks to my boss Chief Raymond Dokpesi who stood like a
father to me throughout the ordeal and never allowed me to wallow in
self-pity. Always visiting and ensuring I had the best care available.
The day he heard I cried and the hospital staff were worried, he
immediately flew from Lagos to Abuja because he knew I’d been strong
since the accident. He was such a huge support, in fact, he broke the
news of the plans to amputate my fingers to me after every medical
intervention failed.
Aside the challenge of writing, work went on as normal. I adjusted
and so did everybody around me. At home, I learnt to do what I could
within my abilities, ask for help when necessary and leave out what I
couldn’t. I learnt to drive and do most basic things by myself. But
sometimes not being able to do some simple things hurt.
NWD: Tell us about your life after the accident & what inspired your healing
Ans: Having an education and a brilliant career helped a lot
especially in the environment where I found myself. I had amazing
support from family friends and colleagues. Moreover, it was my hand
that was affected not my mind nor my mouth according to my friends and
my sense of humour was intact. I could still think, report and present
the news. I would have died if that was taken away from me because I
dreamed and lived TV. Television was my passion. On the plus side, I had
a personality that did not leave room for self-pity. I had a knack for
making a joke about everything and anything including my “disability” to
the dismay of everyone around me. If I wanted anything from anybody
even if it’s a glass of water I would remind them of my disability…lol.
Above all, my faith helped tremendously.
NWD: You were a journalist & now a Master of ceremony/ Comedienne. At what point did you decide to switch career & why?
Ans: I am always and would forever be a journalist as everything I do
even in my new-found career exudes my flare for presentation and the
dramatic. So, I have not really switched rather morphed my passions into
one. As a compere, my passion for public speaking started from
secondary school (my friends would joke that it’s because I didn’t get
attention as a child.lol). I was the go to person to anchor school
events. I just come alive before a crowd hence the stage name Shakara
which means show off. However, I became a professional comedienne by
accident. I have a natural sense of humour and people tend to laugh
every time I compered event. I sprouted officially from a monthly praise
program organised by my church where I functioned as compere. From
there people would call me to host birthdays before I was “discovered”
by an events promoter at a friend’s wedding and Shakara is now a growing
brand. In the long run, comedy is just a conduit to a larger aim, my
goal is to promote positive mental wellbeing through entertainment. I
organize an annual charity comedy show called Laugh Out Loud to promote
positive mental health through information and comedy. A lot of people
are battling mental health issues and are ashamed to speak out or even
seek necessary intervention for fear of stigmatization. LOL was three in
2016 and every proceeds from the event goes to charity. Having a sense
of humour has helped me overcome many challenging situations and that’s a
gift I’m glad to share with the world. The goal is to get people
smiling again no matter what they are going through.
NWD: Why did you leave the shores of Nigeria, you lost faith in the
country Why did you leave the shores of Nigeria, you lost faith in the
country
Ans: Absolutely Not! Nigeria matter never reach to troway…lol. Where
else will I get my monthly supply of fufu from? Abeg oh! I am
adventurous by nature and wanted to explore the world and experience
different cultures. Ireland caught my heart at first sight.
NWD: Are you looking to relocate back anytime soon?
Ans: Right now, I am enjoying the best of both worlds and blessed to have a home away from home.
NWD: What’s your greatest fear & how do you manage it?
Ans: I try not to focus on fears but rather look at situations as
challenges because fear constrains while challenges motivates. I have
learnt to face every challenge with a smile and a winning attitude. It
might take a while for me to navigate a daunting situation but I won’t
give up either.
NWD: What inspired your bald hair cut?
Ans: My first ever bald cut was in 1996 and it was to protest the
system (my father). I was in university then and had returned home late
(of course a boy was involved) and had received the beating of my life
because I was not contrite about my escapade. In annoyance, my dad took a
scissors and cut my hair (in his mind he was trying to clip my
wings.lol) the next day I went to the barbers and requested a bald clean
look. My poor father almost had a heart attack when he saw me. I got to
school and everybody loved the look and I felt like a big girl.lol).
Over the years, it became a fashion statement and my brand look but more
so it’s convenient for me because of my hand. I also got tired of
visiting salons and brushing my hair. Moreover, I don’t have to deal
with angry spirits because of wearing Brazilian hair.
NWD: what three pieces of advice would you give to young women who wants to venture into entertainment?
Ans: Let passion be your driving force not money. Money will follow
suit. Get a mentor and invest in yourself (it’s a very competitive
market) let every performance be your best and don’t be carried away the
applause or absence thereof.
NWD: If you had the opportunity to start your career over again, what will you differently?
Ans: I will have a mentor. You can never go wrong with the right
person guiding, supporting, and teaching you how to navigate avoidable
pitfalls in the profession
