Nigerian skit maker Gloria Oloruntobi, popularly known as Maraji, has shared insights about her family. While speaking as a guest on News Central’s programme, Jasiri, which celebrated their first anniversary, the mother of two discussed the influences behind her skits, which have entertained Nigerians since 2016.
Maraji attributed her comedic nature to her family background, noting that her parents and siblings are humorous.
“I would call it a calling, and I also say that I grew up in a family where people are quite funny. My father is very funny. And then I remember when I was in uni, and I would tell people things my father would do, and they’d be like, what kind of family is that? Like, that’s crazy.
“And so impersonating my father and my mother’s personality, I found that people found it extremely funny. I grew up with it. I think everybody’s funny. My sister’s very funny. My mom is very funny. My mom is very sarcastic. Very sarcastic.”
Maraji said she enjoyed mimicking her dad a lot. She added that mimicking people was something she always enjoyed, especially watching it and seeing how amusing it looked.
Discussing her struggle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Maraji revealed that she only felt comfortable addressing the issue during her first pregnancy.
Maraji recalled her time at university when it was discovered she had PCOS, a topic she had spoken about many times before. She explained that at the time, she didn’t fully understand what was happening and assumed her irregular periods were a relief. She shared that she wanted to discuss it then, but her mother discouraged her, warning that some men might avoid women with fertility issues. As a result, she admitted she wasn’t open about it initially and only felt comfortable speaking about it when she was pregnant with her first child.
She said, “But then when I found out that, you know, I got pregnant, I was like, oh, okay, okay, I can talk about this now. So that it does not look like when, you know, people want to talk about me, they talk about my infertility issues and PCOS.
“So I felt a bit more comfortable talking about it because I knew that there’ll be people out there who learn a thing or two. And I feel a lot of women have texted me and said, oh, some things I said helped them. And they’re so grateful that I spoke about it.
“So yeah, I’m happy I did speak about it. But I don’t think I was the most confident talking about it. It’s fine. Because I think every journey, like any journey, is personal in life.
“And that’s a very intimate journey. Because I know a number of people who do have it between the tests, how invasive they can be, how persistent it can be, and just how much doubt you feel like your own body is turning against you.”
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that occurs during the reproductive years in females. Individuals with PCOS may experience infrequent or prolonged periods. Additionally, they may have elevated levels of a hormone called androgen in their body.
It is characterised by the development of numerous small fluid-filled sacs along the outer edge of the ovaries, known as cysts. These cysts contain immature eggs, referred to as follicles, which fail to release eggs regularly.
The symptoms of PCOS can vary widely. A diagnosis is typically made when at least two of the following are present:
Irregular periods: Infrequent or irregular menstrual cycles are common indicators of PCOS. This can include having fewer than nine periods a year, periods occurring more than 35 days apart, or menstrual cycles that last significantly longer than normal. These irregularities may also make it difficult to conceive.
Excess androgen: Elevated levels of androgen, a male hormone, can lead to symptoms such as excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism), severe acne, and male-pattern baldness.
Polycystic ovaries: Enlarged ovaries with multiple small follicles containing immature eggs may form along the edges. These ovaries often do not function as they should. The severity of PCOS symptoms is often greater in individuals with obesity.
The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown.
Watch the full interview below.
