Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Bovi Ugboma, is currently facing heavy criticism online following a joke he made during one of his recent stand-up performances involving his daughter.
In the performance, Bovi, a father of three two boys and a girl shared a controversial story that has now gone viral. He revealed that he once bought his daughter two teddy bears, one large and one small, and gave them the names “Big Dick” and “Small Dick.”
According to him, he encouraged his daughter to play with the toys using those names. Bovi went on to say that after he noticed the backlash the joke generated online, he decided to double down by buying his daughter a pet fowl. He said he insisted she refer to the bird as “cock” rather than “fowl.”
The joke, which was meant to stir laughter, has instead sparked outrage, especially across X (formerly Twitter), with many calling it inappropriate and distasteful particularly because it involved his young daughter and sexual innuendos.
A user identified as @mendemen wrote:
“That is one of the most distasteful jokes I have ever heard. It cannot even be classed as a joke! Bovi should seek lessons on how to tell jokes. He has passed his time.”
Another user, @oby, expressed strong disapproval:
“It’s because these people have not lived and worked abroad before. This is insensitive and very inappropriate. Try this joke abroad and see if police will not come calling to investigate you and that your daughter.”
As reactions continue to pour in, many are calling for comedians to be more thoughtful and sensitive, especially when referencing children in their material.
