I Go Dye $185,000 Richer, Tours The World With Point Gate

As you are reading this, one of Nigeria's funniest men, Francis Agoda, popularly known as I Go Dye by his teeming fans, is back from Obama's country where he had been amusing his fans with his rib-cracking jokes courtesy of Point Gate.

Point Gate, a Swiss/American entertainment outfit, has shelled out a whopping sum of $185,000 to enable I Go Dye share his jokes round the world.

Code named I Go Dye Standing, Breaking The Diamond, the tour will take him round major countries in Europe and cities in the U.S.

The African American Event Manager of Point Gate, Miller Allen, said "the concept of the show is to fight against violence, racism, human trafficking, drug trafficking/addiction as well as promoting the rich cultural heritage of Africa," and that the choice of I Go Dye is due to the fact that most African Americans, Europeans and mixed breed requested for him because of his massive fan base and pedigree as one of Africa's best comedians. Also because of his beautifully packaged and detailed documentary project, 'Peace In Sight', which incidentally buttresses the objectives of the tour.

The tour which started on April 19 in Budapest, Hungary saw I Go Dye and his friends, I Go Save and Maleke moving to Italy with performances in Padova, Brescia, Torino, Florence, Modina, Firenze and Perigia where his fans requested for encore.

I Go Dye took a break after the Vienna, Austria show held on May 24 to honour the governors of Akwa Ibom and Benue states as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of democracy in Nigeria. He also entertained in Bayelsa State at the Gbarain Ekpeciama Festival (new yam festival). While his stellar outing at Glo Laffta Fiesta held in Lagos on June 7 is still the talk of the town.

The Europe leg tour is due to flag off in Antwerp, Belgium, Isen, Munich, Frankfort, Berlin and Cologne in Germany, Malaga, Madrid and Barcelona in Spain. In Switzerland, he will tour Zurich and Bern, Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, Anthens and Thessaloniki in Greece, Adaublin and Cork in Ireland, London and Canada.

In the United States of America (U.S.), there will be shows in New York, California, Dallas, Virginia, Las Vegas, Florida, Houston, Chicago, Washington where the tour will move to Africa before finally touching down in Nigeria for more shows in Abuja, Benin and Lagos.

I Go Dye started his comedy career at the age of 13 by presenting mock news on Delta Television Warri. He came to limelight after a successful performance at Opa Williams' Nite of A Thousand Laughs in year 2000 and this automatically shot him into the league of respected performers.

He has won numerous awards within and outside Nigeria. Among which are, National Comedy Award for best comedian in Nigeria, Best Niger Delta Comedian, Creativity Art in Africa for Africa's best comedian, London Movie Award for best comedian in Africa, TV People Golden Entertainment Award, New York, for best creative comedian in Africa, NIDOE-Spain Meritorious Award by the Nigerian ambassador to Spain for the uplift of Nigerian culture, Julius Gold International Award as Africa's best comedian presented by legendary musician Sir. Dr. Victor Uwaifo

He has also performed in all successful shows in Nigeria and abroad like Nite of Thousand Laughs, Made in Warri (Nigeria and London), Crack Ya Ribs, Laugh and Jams, Rhythm Unplugged, Calabar Carnival, Balyesa Peace Concert, Africa Kings of Comedy (USA), Laugh with Africa (Spain), Africa Kings of Comedy (Switzerland), Black and White Tour (Belgium), Open Heart (Italy), Black Reunion Tour (Asia), Nigeria Reunion Tour (USA), Coming Home (Greece), MTV Award. Name it, he has won the award or has been nominated for it.

I Go Dye also has his own comedy show tagged "I Go Dye Standing" which made its debut in Warri in 2006. He has equally closed and opened shows for some of the world biggest stars like Game, Janet Jackson, Akon, Usher, DMX, Ja Rule, Eve, Boys 11 Men, Nelly and the hilarious Chris Rock. He also featured in a movie entitled "Last Crime" shot in Germany alongside star actress, Jenifer Brown.

A victim of the 1999 Warri crisis in which he narrowly escaped death, he believes that there is life outside gun. Owing to the present hostility in Niger Delta, he did a 10-minute documentary entitled "Peace in Sight" which has since been showing on local and international channels. This documentary is aimed at educating the youth to shun violence and embrace peace. This is also the gospel he has been preaching in his ongoing world tour.