Interview with Nigerian political cartoonist, Asukwo, E.B.

Political cartooning can be a dangerous art. However in countries with authoritarian regimes, they often serve as a voice for the masses, calling attention to ills that might be too incendiary to spell out explicitly in words…

Though Nigeria has many political cartoonists one that stands out is Mike Asukwo, a political cartoonist for BusinessDay Nigeria. Asukwo has a unique ability to capture the emotions and frustrations of the Nigerian populace in a way that is both caustic and amusing —using a medium in caricature and text that is humorous and self deprecating but ultimately illuminating…

We recently caught up with Mike Asukwo (alias, Asukwo E.B.) and he was kind enough to share with us the inspiration behind his work and his motivation for cartooning the Nigerian political landscape…We have interspersed some of his cartoons with the interview to showcase his art.

Interview

CP-Africa.com: How did you first get interested in becoming a political cartoonist?

Asukwo, E.B. - Some years ago when I joined BusinessDay [Nigeria] as a cartoonist my intention was to try to make people laugh but gradually I was able to make them think too.In doing this I had tremendous encouragement from the Businessday family and Asukwo, EB was born.

CP-Africa.com: Your cartoons are often blatantly honest and quite caustic. Interestingly, in one of your cartoons, you include a blurb from one of your readers thus, “Dear Asukwo, why are you always painting the country black in your cartoons?” to which you respond: “…It is probably because the cartoons are done in the dark.” Can you elaborate more on the inspiration behind your work and what moves you to tell stories about the Nigerian condition via cartoons?

Asukwo, E.B. - My inspiration is Jesus. He made me a creative being, put me in a creative world and allows only creative ideas to govern me. I am a Nigerian and naturally I am concerned about the Nigerian condition and I guess my efforts would be pointless if they were not geared towards drawing attention to that condition.

CP-Africa.com: Are you ever concerned about your safety or about the possibility of being targeted by Nigerian politicians?

Asukwo, E.B. - I believe some of those politicians secretly enjoy reading my Cartoons. They know I am just holding the mirror. I have received a couple of threats and reprimands, but they can’t deter me. I believe in my cause too much to worry about idle threats and intimidation. Besides, the encouragement and commendation I have been receiving make the threats pale in significance.

CP-Africa.com: What do you hope your cartoons can achieve or evoke in your readers?

Asukwo, E.B. - I wish they can help in bringing about a change; get people thinking enough to react. But above all I hope the humour would help lighten the mood. We are all too stressed out. We have been this way for too long.

CP-Africa.com: What are your hopes for the future of Nigeria?

Asukwo, E.B. - I hope for a better Nigeria. A more structured society, a nation where things work; where leaders would emulate the positive deeds of great leaders from other lands instead of being too ready to emulate despots, rogues and failed institutions and where are leaders would have a sense of shame and see themselves as public servants instead of as demi-gods…

About Mike Asukwo

My name is Etim Bassey Asukwo. Family and friends call me Mike. I studied Fine Art at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria. I majored in Sculpture. Actually this is where I had my first formal training in art. I paint and design too. I have been involved in some major sculpture projects.

I am from a little place called Idua Assang in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. I honed my skills while running around the dusty streets with other kids, sketching in the sands, making kites out of old newspapers and television sets out of corrugated cartons. Then they thought I was going to be an engineer. But I was already an ARTIST. Thanks to my family. Some household items suffered during that creative awakening. I am married and blessed with two lovely kids.I play chess to unwind. I like puzzles. They improve my thought processes.

Some of his cartoons…

On President Yar’adua’s health, his wife, e.t.c..

Ayes have it..The masses suffer while the elites enjoy..poor power supply

..On the political saga surrounding the Nigerian legislature/President Yar’adua’s health…Theater of the absurd..

More on Nigeria’s political landscape…

On corruption & the Nigerian legislature…

Poking fun at the Former President…

On the ruling party, graft and embezzlement…

On corrupt Governors and the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission

On the epileptic power supply..Nigeria at 48…

More on…Corruption…

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And a little gem for the global audience…in the wake of the Abdulmutallab attack…New world order

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