Teacher, Journalist, Stand-up Comedian
Boma Tom Erekosima, alias “Country-Man,” was an iconic Niger Delta humorist best known for his sensational use of African proverbs on the radio during the late 1980s and 1990s.
Synopsis
Boma Tom Erekosima (1949–1996), widely known as “Country-Man,” was an award-winning journalist and comedian from Buguma City in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. He was one of radio’s finest voices in the Niger Delta region during the 1980s and 1990s. His unique blend of humor, delivered through African proverbs in Pidgin English, became a radio sensation. In 1995, he even made the then military dictator and Head of State, General Sani Abacha, laugh heartily during an official visit to Rivers State. He passed away on February 25, 1996.
Family and Early Life
Boma Tom Erekosima was born on June 24, 1949, in Eku, Mid-West Nigeria (now Delta State). He was raised in a middle-class family. His father, Mr. Tom W. Erekosima, was a professional school teacher, while his mother, Mrs. Jemine Erekosima, was an industrious and adventurous woman from Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State.
Education
Due to the demands of his father’s profession, Boma attended several schools across different locations. He began his education at Pilgrim Baptist School in Umunede, Delta State, from 1956 to 1961. He then attended Pilgrim Baptist Modern School in Ougie-otah, Delta State, between 1962 and 1963, followed by Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School in Enohem.
He later enrolled at the prestigious Kalabari National College (KNC) in Buguma, where he studied from 1965 to 1967. He also attended Academy Grammar School in Sapele (now Okotie Eboh Grammar School) from 1967 to 1968. Boma completed his Higher School Certificate (HSC) at Hussy College, Warri, in 1970. He furthered his education by obtaining a Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1979.
Career
Boma Erekosima’s career began as an English teacher at St. Scholastica Girls’ School in Bakana. His excellent teaching skills earned him the nickname “Oxymoron” among his students.
He joined the defunct Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a Senior Sub-Editor, serving from 1973 to 1977. In 1978, he moved to Nigeria Tide Newspaper Corporation, where he worked as News Editor for the Daily Tide. He later became the Lagos City Editor and, from 1982 to 1987, the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper.
In the late 1980s, Boma transferred his services to the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Rivers), where he became a renowned journalist, ace broadcaster, and comedian. His use of Pidgin English on the station made him and his colleague, the late Isikima Harry, stars. At the time, Pidgin English was not widely used on Nigerian radio stations, but Boma’s captivating voice and ability to deliver humor through African proverbs in Pidgin English made him a beloved figure. He became known as the “King of Talk Radio” at Radio Rivers 2FM Stereo in the early 1990s.
Boma’s dedication to his craft and his comedic talent earned him widespread recognition. He became a sought-after stand-up comedian, entertaining at government and private functions throughout Rivers State.
Television Programs
Boma Tom Erekosima also made his mark on television. His first program, Man Mouth, which addressed moral values in society, was an instant hit. He went on to create Duo, a program that aired on all NTA stations, followed by Wetin Dey Hapin.
Literary Works
Erekosima was also a writer, with a number of literary works to his name. His African Proverbs collection featured homegrown proverbs, while his audio cassette Country Man Boma Erekosima in Concert Vol. I became a popular hit. Vol. II, which was already prepared for release, remained unfinished due to his untimely death. In 1979, he compiled his earlier works into an album titled Akirika City of Poracot.
Boma Tom Erekosima’s Quotes
- Monkey smart monkey smart na because tree near tree.
- You go fit tell blind man say oil no dei for soup but no be pepper.
- Na situation make crayfish bend.
- Fly wei no dei hear word na im dei follow dead body enter grave.
- Craze man say craze dei sweet but the problem be say treking too much.
- No matter how teeth and tongue quarrel dei must settle because them dei leave for the same house and them need each other.
- Weather say him tier for human being. Rain fall den complain say cold too much, sun shine den say heat too much. Which one you want.
- My people, Advice no be curse o!
- Ear wey dey hear somtin e no need big like house
- Even though na water wey kill your brother, when you cry finish, na the same water wey you go take wash off the tears from your face”
- Bird say, anywhere wey fruit ripe, na there him dey go
- Okporoko and egusi, no be brothers, but when dem meet inside soup, dem De understand each other
Family
Boma Tom Erekosima was married to Mrs. Fabiawari Erekosima, and together they had seven children.
Death
Boma Erekosima fell ill in February 1996, though the exact cause of his illness remains unknown. He was admitted to Seaside Clinic on Victoria Street, Port Harcourt, and passed away shortly thereafter on February 25, 1996, at the age of 47.
