I was destined to be an entertainer – Ibinabo Fiberesima

Weekend Magazine: How has it been being AGN President? How have you survived the pressure of the industry?Ibinabo Fiberesima: It’s been quite challenging but all the same I love challenges as a person. I always love to push myself to do more in whatever situation I find myself. As the president of the Actors Guild […]

Weekend Magazine: How has it been being AGN President? How have you survived the pressure of the industry?
Ibinabo Fiberesima: It’s been quite challenging but all the same I love challenges as a person. I always love to push myself to do more in whatever situation I find myself. As the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria I have been able to cope and I am proud of what I have been able to achieve despite the challenges that comes with being a leader. The pressure is high, but with God on my side I have surmount and will always all obstacles.
 The Actors Guild of Nigeria sure has its dramas when it comes to trying to coordinate actors and actresses. What are some of the problems of the association?
The problems are quite enormous. Actors are peculiar people, they are creative minds. You must be dynamic to lead them. Every leader has to be steadfast and dedicated if he/she wants progress. There will be distractions, sure there will but the most important thing is to remain focused and try to bring everyone under one roof, as a leader cannot afford to be biased or show preferences. I thank God that I have been able to proffer solutions to some of our problems and we are making the desired impact in the society.
What in your view have actors benefited from your reign?
My Exco and I have done quite a lot, too many to begin to mention but notable among them are: The health management scheme which some members are already enjoying, acquired a brand new eighteen seater bus, functional and fully automated head office, multi media website, training and recruitment of new actors across the country of which we just finished the first round in Minna Niger state, where we got interesting and talented youths to benefit for the training. We also introduced interstate cultural completion, collection of date base, celebration of our members and many more. We are here to revolutionize and we are making progress already. 
What life lessons have you learnt from being the AGN president?
To love, respect, listen and attend to everybody irrespective of their status.
How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
I have been in it since childhood but professionally 20 years.
 You have been off the screen for some time now. What are you up to?
Yes I was off to attend to a few things, but I am fully back now. I have done quite a number of movies that will be hitting the cinemas very soon. I have also produced a movie of mine titled’ The Limit’, which is also coming out soon. So I have not been idle I have been working. May absence from the screen was for a positive purpose and I am back with a bang.
 You are of mixed culture; tell us how this has shaped you?
It has really helped to shape my life positively. My background has helped influenced my personality to be different in all I do. It has also helped me to reshape my life and work harder to be where God has placed me today.  But then culture or not we can always dare to be different. When I say different, I mean daring to be different in a positive way.
Tell us how you found yourself on the entertainment scene?
My coming to the entertainment scene isn’t coincidence or necessity. My being in the entertainment industry was by design from the Almighty. Right from childhood I have always been an entertainer, somewhere in my heart I had always known as a child that I would be on the screen.  It has been destined by God for me to be an entertainer.
How are you coping with fame?
 Being famous sure comes with a lot of challenges, but I don’t see it as paying a price for a profession that you love and cherish. If you permit me to say I am glad for the opportunities that being famous have given me.  If putting smiles on people’s faces and giving them an opportunity to be heard is a price that I should pay for being famous I would want to continue that price. Being famous has attracted a lot of people to me and I thank God for making people happy and content through me. I know you expected me to say invasion of my privacy but then, as a celebrity and an entertainer, you don’t have any privacy as your personality would not give room for that if you really want to put a smile of the faces of people.  
As a single mum, what are some of the challenges?
I can tell you the challenges I face are the normal challenges all single mums face, but notwithstanding I thank God for my children. My children have been quite different and supportive of all my endeavors in life. God gave me wonderful children. They are the best thing I could have ever wished for. I try to realize the challenges ahead so as to get myself prepared very well for that moment, but my children have simply been incredible. I give God all the glory for them.
What were some of your memorable moments that were life changing?
For me the most memorable moments would be having my children, but then the journey is still far ahead to begin to look back and count memorable moments. My focus is still far ahead to achieving what God has destined me to be in life, but for now having is the best memories I have now, don’t get me wrong though, they will always be part of the best memories I would ever have in life.
 There was a time in your life that things were rough. You were convicted by a court of law. What was it like during your trying period then?
I would rather not comment on this. It’s too emotional for me to comment, but I can say I was not convicted for criminal offences.
You are a producer, what has a movie got to have for you to be able to produce it?
I am a writer who draws inspirations from my personal beliefs and experiences. I am interested in writing and producing ordinary people like me and how their unyielding devotion to family, beliefs, community service, together with the sacrifice they endure along the way are what make seemingly ordinary individuals great. My movies will be churned out in 2014, so watch out!
You are into some charity work. Could you tell us about it?
For me charity is all about giving back to the society that have contributed to who you are today. I have a foundation called ‘Ibinabo care Foundation (ICF). Through it I give back to the society what God has given me. I give scholarships, organize Mentorship counseling, care for the less privileged and displaced, elderly and homeless babies. For being able to do this I give God all the glory.
You just concluded your self initiated beauty pageant, ‘Miss Earth. Tell us about what it is all about?
The beauty pageant is all about environment. We use beauty to draw attention to our environment especially the degradation. We are trying to use beauty to reawaken the conciseness of the society to take care of mother earth. We hope to continue to contribute our quota to improving the environment through this venture.
How have you managed to stay on top of your game despite challenges?
First it is God that I have to thank for the strength he has given me to carry on despite all the hurdles and challenges. Secondly, it is the belief I have in myself that has made me to move on even during turbulence. It is this single factor that has given me an edge and kept me on top of my game despite all challenges.
Are your children taking to joining you in your career?
No yet. It’s their choice and call. I won’t make a decision for them in that regard. 
What is your advice to the society?
Believe in yourself; be sincere in whatever and all you do. Always have a forgiving heart and most importantly always strive to be the best you can be at all time. Above all believe in God and pray with him all things are possible.