Few know my dad was a boxer when younger – Yul Edochie

Weekly Trust: What is it like being the child of a celebrity? Yul Edochie: It feels good, actually. At the same time, it comes with its own challenges. Not everyone is happy with you because they feel everything comes easy because of the famous name you have attached to yours. Again, being his son has […]

Weekly Trust: What is it like being the child of a celebrity?
Yul Edochie: It feels good, actually. At the same time, it comes with its own challenges. Not everyone is happy with you because they feel everything comes easy because of the famous name you have attached to yours. Again, being his son has kept me on my toes, to live up to his name and excel in everything I do.  People always ask if there is pressure on me being an Edochie, but I always tell them there is none at all. I live a normal life and don’t try to impress anyone.
For sure, his name has opened a few doors. He is loved by many and so that love would have to rub off on us in one way or the other.
WT: Your dad always plays the tough guy in movies. How tough is he at home?
Edochie: I would not say he is tough at home. He’s strict, but easygoing. Once in a while, parents need to get tough with their children. Asides that, he is the perfect dad. When it comes to his job, he is an actor but at home he is simply a father and a good one at that.
I flew the coop and lived on my own for about twelve years now and can’t really recall when last he got angry with any of my siblings or I. He scolds when he should and pets you when necessary.
WT: What are some of the fond memories you have of your dad while growing up?
Edochie: Going to church with him. We always loved going to church with him. We always sat beside or behind him in church. It always gave us that sense of protection. I also miss watching wrestling and sports events with him. There was never a dull moment with him.
WT: Most parents have caution phrase for their children. What was your dad’s?
Edochie: His favourite was and still is, ‘whatever you don’t want done to you don’t do to someone else’. He has never taken lightly anyone taking others for granted. He believes in fairness and justice. So he always made sure that we understood that right from a very young age.
WT: How does he relax?
Edochie: He loves watching television. He relaxes at home by watching sports. It relaxes him a lot.
WT: What are his likes and pet peeves?
Edochie: He likes honesty, which he believes is the key to a fulfilled life. He dislikes dishonest and crafty people around him. If you are not sincere in whatever you do and with others, you can never his attention.
WT: What is his favourite meal?
Edochie: He loves his Eba with any soup.
WT: What is his favourite sport?
Edochie: He is a sports person and his favourite is boxing. What most people do not know is that he used to be a boxer in his youth.  
WT: What do you think you father would have excelled at if he wasn’t an actor?
Edochie: He was a journalist, a distinguished broadcaster before going into film. So I think if he wasn’t and actor, he would have been a brilliant journalist. He was passionate about it and took it seriously, but found love in acting and opted for that.
WT: What child-raising techniques of your dad’s do you apply to your kids?
Edochie: I’m also very strict. I teach my kids to be independent and accommodate others. I learned that from him. As parents, we should be able to carry out our responsibility towards our children diligently for them to have a bright future and being strict once in a while is one of the ways to go about that.