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Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi has paid a heartfelt tribute to late film and stage director, Kayode Peters, reflecting on their early encounters, shared inspirations, and the lasting impact Peters had on his career.
Kayode Peters, a revered filmmaker known for creating the popular sitcom Flatmates, passed away in June in Canada. On Saturday, August 2, he was laid to rest at the Milton Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario, following a funeral service held at the McKersie & Early House Funeral Home.
In a moving Instagram post, Bovi revealed how deeply he was influenced by Peters’ work long before they ever met in person. He credited Flatmates as a major influence in his journey to becoming a content creator and spoke warmly of the director’s humility and devotion to God.
“Long before the internet became an endless distraction, when phones were simply for calling and texting, I’d spend my weekend afternoons watching all the sitcoms. The standout one was Flatmates,” Bovi wrote.
“I was new in Lagos, a journey I had embarked on without the permission of my parents but with the blind fate of my burning desire to be an entertainer. After enjoying Flatmates, I’d watch the end credits, and that’s how I noticed Kayode Peters. Attached to his name was the title of creator and writer. But something else caught my attention. The executive producer was El-Shaddai.”
Bovi went on to recall how struck he was by Peters’ humility when they eventually met.
“When I’d later get to meet KP, as he was fondly called, I realised he was so humble, he refused to give himself the credit of being executive producer. Looking back now, that wasn’t humility. It was a deep heart of gratitude. Something that served as a reminder for him that it was all God. It was his way of saying thank you.”
The comedian also shared how Peters’ approach to credits inspired his own decisions while working on his sitcom Extended Family.
“Flatmates heavily influenced my decision and courage to start my own show, Extended Family. That’s why in the Extended Family, I opted not to put my name as executive producer in the credits. I was so scared that I might be seen as proud because KP didn’t take his credits. Why should I?”
Despite the admiration, Bovi admitted their relationship had a rough beginning. He recalled their first phone call — a moment that initially left him disappointed.
“I had searched for KP’s number and put a call through. ‘My name is Bovi and I’m a fan of your show. I’m creating my own sitcom and I’d like to meet you to get some tips on how to go about it,’ I had said to KP in our first ever call.”
“‘I’m on set working now. I wouldn’t have the time.’ ‘It can be during your lunch break if you don’t mind. I promise not to take your time,’ I pressed. He said he’d let me know when he has the time. The time never came. I also never waited. I pushed on and created the show.”
Looking back, Bovi admitted that he had used the experience as emotional fuel to drive his creativity.
“At the time my only motivation for doing things was perceived offense. I had felt slighted that he turned down the request of a stranger, so I bore an artificial grudge and used it as fuel!”
The tribute offered not just a glimpse into Bovi’s early struggles but also stood as a poignant reminder of the lasting influence of Kayode Peters on Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
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#EntertainmentDaily
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