Nigerian online comedian Adebowale Adedayo, often known as Mr Macaroni, has responded to a video of children mimicking his renowned ‘Daddy Wa’ skits.
In the video, the young content makers dressed like adults and played Mr Macaroni’s sugar daddy character fondly known as ‘Freaky freaky’, as well as a potential lover and his wife.
On Tuesday, he responded to the video with a post on X, previously Twitter, advising parents and guardians to be aware of how they enable their children to express their skills.
He advocated for prioritising the well-being and development of children over fleeting fame or viral moments.
Macaroni believes that properly guiding children will help sustain and cultivate their talents for the long term rather than just seeking immediate attention.
He wrote:
“Dear parents and guardians, I understand the urge to want to make the most out of our uniquely talented children. I however strongly believe that we must apply caution while doing so.
“We must showcase their talents in ways appropriate for their respective ages. We must put our children first and groom them right. That way, we are able to develop the durability and longevity of their talent as opposed to a short viral moment. We owe them and our society that guidance. My love always. 
The thespian acknowledged that it is important for parents to recognise the talents of their kids at an early stage, however, he noted that it must be accomplished within their age bracket.
“Children are uniquely gifted. While I believe in catching them young, I also understand that we must groom and direct them to create at a pace suitable for their respective ages,” the activist said.
He further explained that they can be given the liberty to explore as they add more age to their years.
“As they grow, they can be allowed more creative freedom. One step at a time.”
Adedayo initially rose to prominence in 2019 with his satirical social media skits, in which he played characters such as the philandering political figure “Daddy Wa” and a harsh instructor, “Professor Hard Life”. He popularised catchphrases such as “Ooin,” “Freaky freaky,” and “You are doing great.”
Since then, Adedayo has increasingly used his platform to promote social problems, typically combining humour and civic education in his skits. In 2022 and 2023, he received the Trendupp Awards’ Force of Influence award, which is granted to the “influencer or content creator who commanded the highest influence in the Nigerian social media space”.
