Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi has opened up about the emotional pain he endured while continuing to fulfil professional commitments during the two traumatic periods involving his mother, including her kidnapping in 2012 and her death in January 2016.
Bovi recalled that his mother was kidnapped in 2012 while he was attending an event in Ilashe, Lagos, forcing him to deal with the distressing situation while still expected to entertain guests at the event.
Despite receiving the news, he said he had to compose himself, make several calls and return to the event to continue working.
The comedian explained that although he was physically present and performing, he was emotionally overwhelmed by what was happening. He said guests laughed at his jokes without knowing the personal crisis he was experiencing, describing the experience as one in which his “soul wasn’t there.”
The entertainer also reflected on an even more difficult period following his mother’s death in January 2016, when he was faced with a professional commitment only weeks after her passing.
According to Bovi, he had been booked to host Senator Ben Bruce’s 60th birthday celebration in February 2016, leaving him conflicted about whether accepting the job was appropriate while he was still mourning his mother.
He said he questioned whether going ahead with the engagement made him insensitive, considering that the person who gave birth to him had recently died. However, he ultimately decided to honour the commitment and host the event despite his grief.
“Am I insensitive for working when the person who gave birth to me is no more? But I went ahead and did the event. People were laughing and they didn’t even know I was dying inside. I was really, really a hot mess at the time,” he added.
