Nigerian skit maker and artist, Oderhwo Joseph Efe, fondly known as Carter Efe, has unveiled a lesser-known chapter of his life – his past as a tailor before skyrocketing to fame.
The ‘Machala’ maestro disclosed that his comedic flair was a natural gift. He reminisced, “I’ve been funny since birth. Stand-up comedy was my forte, even back in school. During break times, I’d stand in front of the class, effortlessly eliciting laughter from my peers.”
In a recent appearance on Hip TV’s Trending, hosted by reality star KimOprah, Carter Efe candidly shared, “I used to be a London tailor, ‘Obioma’, before delving into skit making. Art has always been my passion. I even edit my skits myself. At one point, I expressed my desire to learn tailoring to my father. Despite his concerns about my education, I insisted on pursuing my passion for creativity. Surprisingly, it took me less than six months to master the art of sewing.”
Recounting the challenges he faced, he revealed, “During my tailoring apprenticeship, there were times I’d feign illness to sneak off and shoot a skit. Upon returning, my boss would discipline me, making me kneel for the rest of the day as punishment.”
Carter Efe’s decisive turning point came when Broda Shaggi announced a challenge on Instagram, prompting everyone to groove to a song. Reflecting on that moment, he shared, “I was in Delta State at the time, but I thought, why not? I participated and emerged as the winner, clinching a PS5.”
Elaborating further, he added, “When Shaggi instructed me to come to Lagos to claim my prize, I seized the opportunity. After receiving the PS5, I sold it for around N300,000. This windfall became the catalyst for my decision to remain in Lagos. With the money, I covered transport expenses for skit shootings, as well as my living arrangements, crashing at a friend’s place.”
Carter Efe’s narrative is a testament to the unyielding spirit of pursuing one’s passion, overcoming obstacles, and transcending from humble beginnings to the grand stage of stardom.