Ayanda Folorunso Kazeem is an Abuja-based professional events’ host and master of ceremonies (MC) known as MC Funsure. In this interview, the FUTMinna graduate of Electrical and Computer Engineering tells TOPE SUNDAY about his foray into the entertainment world.
How did you arrive at MC FUNSURE as your stage name?
When I decided to go professional in 2020, I knew it was important that I pick a name that will carry the essence of my craft, because I wanted to be known as the king of fun moments and memories. A few names came to my mind, but I had to pray over them. In the process, ‘Funsure’, which is an adaptation of my name Funsho, was the answer I got. When I mentioned it to my wife, she said she had the same name on her mind. Then I shared it with my first mentor, MC Frank, and he said it was good. That’s how the name MC Funsure, the undisputed fun dispenser, came about.
As an MC at what point did you discover you have the talent to face a larger crowd?
I will say it was from my childhood. I have always had a knack for speaking in front of people without any fear. As a child, I was always the first to open Bible verses and read them aloud in the church. Also, then in school, I was one of the best social students, and I was always the lead speaker for any topic during the school’s literary and debating activities. I also participated in several inter-school social activities and won laurels for my school. All this prepared me for what I am doing today. Most people taught I was going to become a lawyer.
When did you decide to go fully into the entertainment business?
I have always had the gift of entertaining people with words and my wits. Before I became a professional MC, I had the opportunities of hosting birthdays, picnics, church love feasts, and departmental social events by friends and acquaintances, mostly pro bono. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that I decided to take it to the next level professionally and started charging a fee for my services.
Most entertainers are running to Lagos, which is regarded as a hub for the entertainment industry, why is Abuja a choice for you?
Lagos is indeed the entertainment hub of the country. However, the services of a good master of the ceremony are in regular demand across every state. As long as people are getting married, celebrating their birthdays, and having corporate events, MCs will always be in demand in that location. Furthermore, location is not a barrier when an MC has a reputation for being professional. I have hosted events in Lagos, Plateau, Imo, Enugu, Kaduna, Ibadan, Osun, Kwara, Ogun, etc, and some virtual events for guests in the UK, Canada, Tanzania, and China. Where an MC is based isn’t an issue at all, because clients who recognize the importance of having a great MC at the event will always bring the MC to the location of their event. As an Abuja-based MC, I have had the opportunity to anchor events for high-profile Nigerians and corporate organizations.
At some of my events, former President Goodluck Jonathan was in attendance. Also, the former Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon. Shina Peller, and a host of others had previously attended some of the events that I have anchored. So, location does not serve as a barrier for me.
What would you say have been your high and low moments as an MC/ Comedian?
Hmmm. I will say, the services of an MC are based on trust and reputation, people will only patronize you based on your track records. When I started, I didn’t have any records of the events I had done before (because it wasn’t a career path, as at that time for me), so when I tell people I am an MC, they ask for evidence of my previous jobs and I didn’t have any, so, landing my first event was a challenge, but, then a couple in my church trusted me with their wedding, and another couple saw me at that wedding and booked me for the next month for their wedding too, and the rest, as they say, is history. Nowadays, people who visit my Instagram page, always end up booking my services straight away, because they know I will bring #thefunsureexperience. The high moments for every professional MC is to get satisfactorily feedback and reviews from clients and their guests.
What stands MC Funsure out?
When I decided to go professional. I wanted to be different. I didn’t want to be ‘another MC’, so, I told myself, I will sell “Unforgettable Fun Experiences”. I have continued to grow around that core purpose. Every event I have the privilege to anchor/host I make sure I serve #thefunsureexperience to my clients and their guests. Gradually, the FUNSURE gospel is spreading, because, more clients are booking my services based on the experiences they had from attending a FUNSURE’s party. I hosted an event in April 2022, and one of the groomsmen told me, “you must be my MC”, he reached out last week and paid for his wedding in December 2023, and we are still in April 2023. That’s the power of the enthralling effect that The FUNSURE Experience has on people.
So, I am not just an MC, I am an experience.
Many MCs/comedians strive with comedy shows, any plans to stage a show in Abuja?I am not a comedian, what I have is an unmatched sense of spontaneous humour. I can find humour in things and moments that an ordinary mind cannot. So, I am not thinking about hosting a comedy show at the moment. But, as the Funsure brand evolves, so many other aspects of the craft will be exploited.