I never saw myself as an actress – ‘Adesuwa’ lead character
What motivated your love for theatre? My love for theatre started when I gained admission to A.B.U., Zaria. Although Theatre Arts wasn’t my first choice, along the line I fell in love with the course and I realised I had some potentials to act. Up until I gained admission to A.B.U, I never knew I […]
What motivated your love for theatre?
My love for theatre started when I gained admission to A.B.U., Zaria. Although Theatre Arts wasn’t my first choice, along the line I fell in love with the course and I realised I had some potentials to act. Up until I gained admission to A.B.U, I never knew I could act. I thought my only potential was singing, but I discovered my acting ability in the university. That is where my love for theatre and acting started.
How did you land the role for ‘Adesuwa’?
I landed the role for Adesuwa when I went for the audition for the movie which took place in Benin. The audition was done by the movie director, Mr. Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. I auditioned and got the role.
What was the experience like playing that role?
Playing the role of Adesuwa was exciting, being that it is a story I have been familiar with from childhood and I could identify with the character; so it wasn’t so difficult for me to play it.
What was it like acting with Olu Jacobs, Bob Manuel, Cliff Igbinovia and Ngozi Ezeonu?
Acting with veteran actors like Olu Jacobs, Bob Manuel, Ngozi Ezeonu, Cliff Igbinovia, was very interesting. I learnt a lot from them and above all I felt honoured to act alongside them.
Did you feel intimidated being a part of the cast that featured them?
I didn’t feel, because I am a trained actor and I knew I could deliver and play my role well. I just kept an open mind and was ready to learn from them and also be corrected if need be, because we learn every day, no one knows it all.
Being a theatre arts graduate, what are your views on Nollywood, its norms and values?
Being a theatre arts graduate, theatre/drama is a reflection of society, and Nollywood movies reflect happenings in society. People learn from these stories and are entertained as well. I believe the industry has made this country proud and is also a source of employment to so many people. With the quality of movies being made now like ‘Adesuwa’ and others, Nollywood is going places and the industry still has a lot to offer.
You were hardly known before your role in ‘Adesuwa’. How are you dealing with being in the public eye?
‘Adesuwa’ is my biggest movie breakout, though I had been part of some other movies, mainly Edo language movies produced and directed by Mr. Imasuen. My role in ‘Adesuwa’ made me a bit popular among friends, colleagues and people generally who didn’t know about my acting potentials, but even with the popularity ‘Adesuwa’ has given me, I am still my normal easy going self. Most times I feel very shy when people recognize me as the character in the movie and people wanting to take pictures with me and all. It’s really exciting especially when I look at people’s reactions when they see me and the fact that they think I did a great job. On the long run, am grateful and happy that I am appreciated and people appreciate my work.
What were your worries in the course of the production of ‘Adesuwa’?
It is an epic movie and it had to be shot in a village. That bothered me a little at the beginning being that I have never really been to a real village before, but at the same time I was also looking forward to the experience. And at the end of the day it was worth it. I had a good time on the set.
You have done a lot of stage performances. What is the difference for you with that and movie?
Before I got into Nollywood, I had done some stage performances as a student in Ahmadu Bello University. I love stage performances and these performances made me love acting. Stage performances are usually very vigorous and it involves the use of your whole body usually without aid. Whereas acting for screen can be less vigorous, because you don’t have to use too many gestures. You can deliver your lines in subtle tones because there is the aid of the microphone or speaker which will pick everything you say. Unlike the stage where you have to deliver your lines almost at the top of your voice because you want the large audience to hear you. Your acting, the use of the body, gestures, movements and all have to be a little bit exaggerated. On the whole, acting for screen and acting on stage are two different experiences and when you have an experience of both, it makes one a better actor.
Asides acting, what else do you do?
Asides acting, I currently work as a customer care representative in a telecoms company.
What other passions would you like to pursue?
I have a passion for music, but I don’t know yet if I am going to pursue that passion. I also have a passion for the classroom! Someday, I hope to become a lecturer and a professor like my lecturer and mentor Professor Jenkeri Okwori.
Who are your role models in the film industry?
My role models in the film industry are Uncle Olu Jacobs, Aunty Joke Silva and Bob Manuel. They are great actors and inspire me. Although I haven’t worked with Aunty Joke Silva, but I had the opportunity to work with Uncle Olu and Bob Manuel in Adesuwa and they were both awesome! Great actors!
Is acting what you have always wanted to do?
Growing up, I never saw myself as an actress! I enjoyed Nollywood movies a lot growing up, but I didn’t see myself like I would be one of them someday. I had other dreams; I wanted to be a lawyer. And I started working towards that dream from my days in secondary school. And when it was time to go to the university I filled my JAMB form to study Law as my first choice.
But unfortunately as I thought then, I was offered Theatre Arts and my parents initially didn’t want me to accept it. After a while they agreed and asked me to go ahead and that I could still study Law as a second degree when I was done with Theatre Arts. On getting to A.B.U, I started the programme, I had wonderful lecturers and classmates and I began to fall in love with the course. I discovered I could act and I enjoyed going to the drama village. Drama Village is the name we call our theatre. It’s an open roof theatre with a round well at the middle. Going to the Drama Village was always fun and exciting and we would rehearse until we got exhausted sometimes. Then I started to understand acting and what it was all about. I learnt a lot of discipline too in the theatre because as an actor one has to be disciplined. It was an interesting experience and at the end of the programme I told myself, goodbye to Law, I love Theatre! And there was no going back. At the tail end of my degree programme, I met Mr. Imasuen through my mum and he brought me into Nollywood and also groomed me for screen acting.
What other movies have you starred in and why is ‘Adesuwa’ the one that sold you the most?
I have participated in other movies like ‘Kings Battle’, (Ebuwa, Olidara etc, although these are Edo language movies), but ‘Adesuwa’ was the biggest for me, because I was the lead character. Also, with ‘Adesuwa’ I had the opportunity to showcase my talent and acting prowess.
You were nominated for AMAA 2012 Best Young/Promising Actor. Did you see that coming?
When I was nominated, I didn’t see that coming! I was shocked; I didn’t know I performed so well. It was such a surprise for me and at the same time I was excited because that nomination meant a lot.
Did you feel disappointed that you did not win?
Truthfully, I felt a little disappointed, but I had an open mind about it right from the beginning, so I wasn’t hurt. Besides, being a nominee is as good as being a winner too. So with that I was just fine. And I know that there will be many more opportunities in the future.
You said you hope to be a professor some day. Is teaching a passion you also explore?
Teaching is a passion I hope to explore in the future. I have always loved teaching, imparting and receiving knowledge. This passion has been influenced by my mum and Professor Jenkeri Okwori. My mum is a lecturer, has always been a teacher and I admire her a lot. Probably that is where the passion came from and also from the fact that I love the classroom. Probably, someday, I might explore that passion. I hope to be a lecturer in a Theatre Arts department.
What next for you?
Well for now, I am working, I haven’t participated in any other movie after the shoot of ‘Adesuwa’, but I am hoping to get back to the industry sometime.