Teaching is a great and dignified profession. But in the Nigerian context, the noble profession seems to be shorn of nobility, considering the status of teachers among other professionals. This has created another mindset that teachers are poor.
Teachers lament financial difficulty and the inability to live a better life like their counterparts in other professions like doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.
The financial challenges of Nigerian teachers have been traced to reliance on a single source of income; a monthly meager salary.
As a teacher, you have to consider finding different ways to earn extra money aside from teaching. There are ways to do this without making a career change, especially for passionate teachers. A passive income for teachers is one of the most effective and efficient ways to bring in more monthly incomes.
There are many creative teachers around. And one of them is Olasemojo Samson Gbenga, a renowned master of ceremonies and content creator. Olasemojo, popularly known as MC Mojo is a teacher at Kith and Kin Educational School (KKES). A passionate teacher with years of experience in the classroom. To him, teaching alone could not cater to all the needs of a man. He believes that a legitimate extra income has to come from somewhere. He then decided to combine entertainment with teaching. In this interview, Olasemojo shared his passion…
Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Olasemojo Samson Gbenga.
What do you do for a living?
I’m an MC and also a teacher.
Your popular stage name is MC Mojo. How did this name come into existence?
It was coined from my surname: Olasemojo.
Combining mastering ceremonies and teaching can’t be easy. How are you coping? Are there days social events clash or interfere with your teaching duties at work?
Combining mastering ceremonies and teaching is not truly easy but with God’s grace and the ability to manage oneself, I have been finding it easy. Besides, most of the events come during weekends, but I have also had to forfeit some event invitations due to my teaching job. I also make alternative arrangements in such cases with trusted colleagues to anchor the event, provided my client is fine with it. My pedagogic duties never encroach on other engagements.
It seems you have a strong passion for teaching. Are you planning to leave the profession for full-time social functions?
God knows the future, but for now, I’m not planning to leave teaching. I have a strong passion for this profession. I don’t think I can leave it.
Between the two engagements, which one will you prefer if you are to decide on one?
Smiles. It is hard to choose one because I love both.
Do your students know you as MC Mojo? Have you anyone among them who aspires to practise as you do?
Yes, My students know me as MC Mojo. I entertain them as well. I inject fun into my teaching. So, they know me well. But, I can’t say if anyone among them aspires to be a master of ceremonies.
Who is your role model? Why?
My role model is Seyi Law and the reason is because I love his jokes.
Considering the economic situation in the country, many teachers continually lament financial difficulty. What is your advice for them?
Smile! We are all lamenting the financial difficulties. My candid advice is that one source of income is not enough.
Tell us about your memorable experiences as a teacher and as an MC.
Every day in the classroom is a memorable experience. The joy of seeing those young learners leaning on me for their knowledge is quite amazing for me. Same as being an MC. The beauty of having people trust you with their events and committing the same to you. I don’t joke with a call to compere an event. It means so much to me regardless of what the event is all about.
Have you received any awards? When and where?
Yes, I received one last year from Ikorodu Microphone Entertainers Connect, (IMEC).
