Getting Personal with Olu Jacobs of Nollywood

Jacob is no stranger to Nigerian movies. His charisma and manner of delivery of lines are legendary – drawing him admiration from fans.

His infectious baritone and interpretation of roles are a director’s delight. Having been in the industry for over 37 years, he is now a bridge between the old and the new, a motivator to the youths. Jacobs attended a drama school in England called The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. “After I finished, I worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and I’m a member of National Theatre of Great Britain. I worked with some of the television stations in London and at a stage, I decided to come back home because I felt I have reached a certain level in my field and that my country had the potential of being so great too. So, I came back to Nigeria in early 80s and we started Third Eye”. Like many of his colleagues, his family was not happy with young Jacobs when he chose to study Dramatic Arts. But even at the age when actors were seen as never do wells of the society, he knew what he wanted and stuck to it. “ I left Nigeria in 1964. Then, there was nobody in Nigeria to look up to, all the people I looked at were people outside the country. The entertainment profession was not professional as such in Nigeria then and the only professional company we had was Ogunde and he inspired me a lot. Before then, my brothers used to take me to cinemas and I used to enjoy myself a lot. I was also taking part in school plays and drama. But when I said I was going to study drama, my parents did not like it and my dad said, ‘no’. When I got to England I wrote him a lengthy letter and said, sorry, I was going to study Drama. And because I had already started, he gave in. when I came back, there was no home movies in the country, it was stressful and the fees of artist was very low. NTA was only beginning to increase the fees of artists and people were only getting interested in acting. Meanwhile, my own company was doing stage plays and documentaries. Gradually, series on television started properly before we entered the home movies. It was stressful then.”

The Ogun state-born actor would not say how much he was paid for his first role but said it was very low and not encouraging at all.
“The first movie I did was produced by AA production and it was called Vigilante. We were paid very little for it and starred RMD and Mama D.

We had problems then looking for locations because people were not used to giving out their homes to people. They were very suspicious and we had to write letters to the Association of Landlords telling them what we were doing, where and when we would do it, for them to be aware.

Jacobs also disclosed how his friends tried to discourage him from acting because they believed acting was not a profession and should only be taken as a hobby. “People enjoyed it then but did not respect it. They enjoyed it, yes, but you have to get another job, they would tell you it’s not a job. But all my life, I’ve done nothing else except acting and productions. It is a profession, that is what I want people to understand. I had a friend who actually wanted me to help run a company, then. I asked him if he wanted me to be happy and he said, yes.

I told him to invest in a company for us to do productions. But, unfortunately, the company did not see the light of the day. I also had few friends that believed in me and gradually the society started catching up with the fact that it is an honorable profession and not for dropouts. But when I want to do something, nobody stops me and that was why I went to England to learn how to do it properly and help my country. 

EARLY YEARS

“Before I left secondary school I'd made up my mind to study the performing arts. I grew up in Kano and I saw Ogunde's troupe the first time they visited Kano. I pestered my father to the point that he agreed to take me to the performance. It was very vivid and it affected me. Everybody member of the audience was happy. People were laughing and it was coming from the soul and it was genuine. I decided that I was also going to make people happy. My father objected to the idea but my mother supported me. I lost him when I left for England and unfortunately, he never saw me on stage professionally. My early years were busy. We were eight and we had cousins and house helps. It was a very boisterous household and our father had control of things. He was working with SCOA as the regional manager in Kano. I like to contribute to people's lives. We were encouraged by our parents to be involved in people's lives. I grew up a devote Catholic. I was an altar boy before my voice broke. I used to polish all the brass in church. It was something I found very fulfilling. Our father was strict, very in control of things initially but later he made up for his strictness with humor. He was a master dancer and enjoyed the accolades that people heaped on him for his proficiency. He taught us to be upright and to help people. I was a member of The Boys Scouts. None of my other siblings went into acting however. But they gave me the support when I was starting and saw every play that I did.

SCHOOL YEARS
After I left Secondary I went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts London(RADA) which was and still is the Premiere school for the performing arts in the UK. School was fun but after l left school things became rather difficult. I was caught in Catch 22 situation. I couldn't get a job unless I had an agent and no agent would accept me unless I belonged to the union and I couldn't become a member of the union unless I had a job and of course if you were not a member of the union you could not work. It was a no-win situation until a friend told me about an audition at the BBC Studios, so I went. I think I was the first person to arrive that morning . I got there and met the assistant director who was still putting things in place. He gave me a piece of paper to write my name and my agents number. I used my friends agent, a lady. Immediately I left the audition I called her up. I told her I'd just got a job with the BBC and that officially she was my agent. She burst into laughter but accepted to play along with me. They rang her up and held negotiations with her and that was how I broke in. unfortunately I can't remember the title of the production

ENGLAND YEARS
There were a bit hectic times because there was an unwritten law on racial discrimination. Several times I was confronted with racism openly. The film the British Council shows in this regions about life in England is absolutely misleading. I can tell you that there is no place like home. I remember in trying to secure accommodation I went to places were I was categorically told that blacks were not allowed. I went to a house and knocked on the door and a lady said “can't you see? No blacks.” I had to sit myself down and decide what to do. I locked my door and removed the phone and reflected. I had to make up my mind that if I was going to function in that society I had to learn and be useful to my people. I squared my shoulders and decided to bear the discrimination. I registered with a sports club, a horse riding club. I already had access to horses having grown up in Kano. I had a positive attitude concerning all that was happening around me which was how I grew. As I also grew in the industry I attended less auditions and started getting more appointments. I got to the point where I was headlining shows getting jobs where I was promoting white actors. If I were white there was no way they could touch me. I would have probably been the greatest now. The journey back home started in 1980.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER
I almost lost a job. Roman Polanski the great Polish and Hollywood Director wanted me to play in his movie Pirates. That was also the time the NTA wanted me to come and develop Second Chance. I told Peter Igho I had to go back to London. I got to London on Sunday went to the French Embassy picked up my passport, went to Paris and met with Roman but that wasn't my first. My first International movie was Ashanti which came before Dogs of War. But Pirates was the most challenging. It was shot in Rome, Seychelles, Malta, Tunisia and Morocco The experience of Seychelles was beautiful. There was one whole week when I was the only actor working. It was stressful but the kind of experience that one cherishes.

MY WIFE
My wife is my jewel. Most people think that we met in England but that wasn't the case. We were rehearsing the play to celebrate Nigeria's independence and we were having a production meeting when she walked in. I took a look at her and told them, “Gentlemen behold my wife”. That was how we met and started. She'd gone to another prestigious school in England Weber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts.

LOSING YOUR BABY
It was like the ground opened and was removed from under someone's feet. She went in for a routine surgery to straighten her bow legs. Three hours later nothing. They called us and said the operation was fine but she went into a kind of coma and stayed in coma for four days and on the fifth day she died. I was performing in the stage play Ovarehwhen Nogbaisi by Ahmed Yerima of The National Troupe then. I still performed on that night before telling the stage manager. She had come to watch the play before going in for the surgery. We saw her go but we never saw her come out. This was in 1996 and after about a year or two years we decided that we should try for another baby. And he would be nine this September his name is Olugbenga. He has an elder brother Olusoji who is in Cameroon University Oklahoma in U.S.A.

ON NOLLYWOOD
Nollywood is something that must and will remain and grow. It is the beginning of a greater movement. For the first time in the history of the black man we have our own things to relate to. We are not living a life that has been designed for us by somebody else. We are not telling stories that have been given to us by Caucasians but our own stories, based on our culture and tradition. We now have our own “gods” and not the White Man's God. It is gratifying that the entire continent of Africa has been re-colonized by Nigeria. We have been invited by different countries in Africa to kick start their own film industries. It is most exciting. What we have not done is to put ourselves on a proper footing. The artistry and techniques that run a film industry was not developed. We need the right infrastructure. We need a government that should understand the power and influence of culture. In this regard, the government has not done well. We need money. The marketing and distribution side is vital to the industry. We are running under our own steam. It is imperative that when a movie is coming out, it comes out everywhere at the same time. You know must people think that Nollywood is a thing for now but I was here before the beginning and I am an eternal optimist. The fire that is burning inside me is still as hot as it was when I started. We must have a proper structure to build for our children. Our leaders did not have anything to sell this to us it started with us so it is our own thing, something that is originally and genuinely Nigerian. Our youths now have Nigerian stars Instead of foreign stars to look up to. There is a lot of work to be done but we are not afraid of the work.



INTERVIEW 

Q: What problems are you facing in the industry? 

We are working with virtually nothing in place. This is unlike the situation abroad where everything has been put in place for actors and actresses to act conveniently. I must confess to you, this is making us to lose a lot of money because a producer must have spent all the money and when such film is eventually released, the producer will be faced with another problem of pirates, who are ready to reap from where they did not sow.

Q: As a versatile actor that acts in English and Yoruba films, which one will you regard as more rewarding?

A: I enjoy working in English movies because of the good use of the language. Making good use of the language is what brings joy to me whenever I am acting in an English movie. But Yoruba is my language and I cannot run away from it. Although I speak Hausa a lot, the language I prefer most is English because I am used to it. I have problem with Yoruba because for a while now, I have not been speaking it, although I am trying to adapt to the language because it is my language.

Q: How will you assess ANTP and AGN?

A: In ANTP, they are giving practitioners the best opportunity to showcase their talent, but in AGN, once you believe you are good, you can just come in anytime, but I want to believe the two bodies are doing fine. In ANTP, there is a lot of discipline and it is well organised because they deal basically in culture and they have come of age, but in AGN, because they are still young, a lot of things need to be adjusted.

Q: You are married to star actress Joke Silva, what really attracted you to her?
A: In 1981, when I came home from England, I was invited by the management of the National Theatre to help direct a film. So, we were having a meeting in an office, when the door was suddenly opened and a beautiful lady came in. Instantly, I was bitten by a love bug and I said ‘ladies and gentlemen, this is the lady I’m going to marry.’ She looked at me closely and just concentrated on what she came to do and after that she left and I did everything to make sure she became my wife.

Q: Since you are both acting, how do you manage the family?

A: We manage the family very well because we are able to understand each other. For instance, when I travel, she will be at home and when she travels, I stay back to keep the family happy. The children understand the kind of job we do. Thank God, there is no problem at all.

Q: As a veteran actor, should we now say you are fulfilled?

A: No, my fulfilment is still coming. I will only be fulfilled if the industry is at the right place, where it is expected to be. I can’t say I am fulfilled when a lot of things are still lacking in the industry, when we cannot say we proudly have a studio of our own, when actors and actresses are still suffering. I will only be fulfilled when the government comes to our support and give us what we need to survive in the movie industry.

Q: Should we now say acting is a dream come true?

A: I don’t know what you are actually saying but all I believe is that I have always aspired to be an actor since when I was seven, because then, I used to watch Hubert Ogunde acting. What came to my mind then was that I could do more than the man, so this led me into acting in school, as I was always confident of whatever role I was given to act. So it was then that I knew I was going to be there and nothing would stop me from being there.

Q: What joy has acting brought into your life?

A: I feel on top of the world when people see me and say they appreciate what I am doing. In fact, I derive a lot of joy when I see that what I have done has made people to be happy.

Q: How will you assess Nigerian awards?

A: Nigerian awards are based on sentiment and money. People in Nigeria are not giving awards on merit but purposely because of what they stand to gain from it. A lot of people have contributed greatly to the development of this country in one way or the other. These are people I believe should have been given awards, but here in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. This is one of the reasons that I said I am not fulfilled yet. But thank God, we are getting there gradually.

Q: What advice will you give the younger ones?

A; Though one is really depressed, we still need to encourage the younger ones. What I will say is that they should be steadfast and always believe they will get there. They should also take this job as a professional job like those in the banking industry. They should also try to protect their name because it matters most in whatever they are doing and they should please seek the elders’ advice because they need to learn from those at the forefront.

Fortunes Changed Liz Benson Fortunes

Her appearance in the television serial, Fortunes, in 1993 changed the course of her life. The TV soap brought her fame and fortune. At about the time of her spectacular rise to stardom, the Home Video as a medium of entertainment had become popular. Coming to movie prominence with Glamour Girls in 1994, Liz Benson has appeared in so many home videos that her face is better known than that of any other actress. Some of the movies where she played the leading role include True Confessions, Shame, Yesterday, Evil Men 1 and 2, Trial, Pureman, Scores to Settle, Izaga, Chain Reaction, Sunset in Africa, Stolen Child, Burden and many more.

A resolute and courageous lady, Liz lost her husband (Samuel Gabriel Etim) when she was in her mid-20 and unlike some women whose world would crash after the demise of their husband, she has faced life struggles and successfully raised the three children all alone as a single mother. She has made a huge name for herself in acting.

Ngozi Ezeonu - From a Hair Dresser to Nollywood

Did you study Theatre Arts?

No. I have a diploma in journalism from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism.

When did you start acting?

I started acting professionally in 1993 and it’s been tough, but we thank God.

What are the challenges you face in your career as an actress?

Well, every job comes with its own challenges, but we are getting by.

Are there some roles you won’t forget in a hurry?

Yes! There is a job I would not forget in a hurry entitled Forbidden. I played a barren woman. Ironically, I was pregnant (then). I was five months gone and I was playing a barren woman. So, it was not an easy thing to shoot and that was in 1995. For me to be pregnant, you know my first pregnancy actually and I shot two-part movie at the same time. It wasn’t easy.

When you cry in your movie, what do you remember that makes the tears flow easily?

Well, actually, when you give me a script, I research. Then I try as much as possible to characterise. I put myself into that character I’m playing. If it’s going to be the woman that the husband usually maltreats, I build myself into that character. And when I’m playing and I’m to shed tears, they comes naturally.

How have you been able to combine the home front with your career?

It’s just the grace of God, actually. God has been so kind. Like I always say, he planned my life even before I was born. My family has been very supportive. It’s not too difficult combining the two. Most times, I’m out of Lagos on location. But before I do, I try as much as possible to arrange my home. I put my home in order. Nobody will lack anything till I get back. When I get back, I try as much as possible to fill the gap. Whatever they missed when I was away, I make up.

How many children do you have?

I have three children: one girl and two boys.

Do you still cook and do house chores now that you are a star?

I am not a star (laughs). I’m just me. I cook. I do house chores. I pound yam for my husband, and make fufu if need be. I’m an Anambra woman so I cook, I cook, I pound yam, I pound fufu if you want me to. I honestly do a lot of home chores.

How does your husband see what you are doing?

He is comfortable with it because I was acting before he met me. So, it’s not a problem.

Are there some roles you can’t play no matter how much is at stake?

Oh definitely, yes. I can’t play nude no matter the amount that is at stake. I don’t know how to play romantic scenes on television. So that is it.

Does that mean you have not accepted any role that borders on romance?

No! I may not be able to do it well. Although some people say that, as an actress, one ought to be perfect in any role. To me, it is a personal thing. Inasmuch as I know that I’m supposed to be versatile as an actress, I still remember where I come from. I don’t follow trends. I do my things my own way. Fine, if you can’t give me those one I know I can do well, let’s leave it.

Is it because of your marriage? Your husband?

No. Even before I got married, I never played any romantic role. No, I never did. It’s a matter of principle. It is true kissing on set doesn’t make you less a Christian, but I don’t do it just because I have decided not to do it. Mine is a matter of principle, believe me.

What are the things going on in Nollywood that you frown upon?

Greed is one of them. People are greedy. Another thing is dishonesty. We don’t tell ourselves the truth. People copy other people’s stories. These days we shoot movies without knowing the title. Then when it comes out, somebody somewhere will say, Ha! I saw you in some movies.’ You will be wondering what happened in the movie because you don’t actually know the title. It’s because they steal each other’s titles. That is why they hide the titles, even to us that are shooting it. It’s one of the things I don’t like in the industry. And that is called piracy. The stakeholders or the risk bearers are not getting their money. They make the movies with plenty money and, at the end of the day, somebody somewhere is reaping from where they did not sow. It is very bad, that is what is really bringing us down. Instead of us to go up, we are going down. But apart from the factors I have just mentioned, I also would want you to know that Nollywood is still teething. It’s still a baby, you know. So we have to go through the normal process. We will pass this teething period definitely by God’s grace and we will move on.

How come you don’t wear skimpy dresses like some other actresses?

You, how would you feel if you saw me wearing something like that? Does it mean that stars wear skimpy things (outfits)? I told you I don’t follow the trend. I’m my kind of person. I like to cover up all the time.

How come you have not had bad press since 1993 when you started acting?

I told you something earlier: I don’t see myself as a star. At my age, if I start doing things like that, people will think I’m crazy. First and foremost, as I said, I don’t see myself as a star and I don’t act as one. I am the home girl that I am. I always remember where I come from, and I know where I am heading for. It’s important in my life. So, I have been able to keep bad press at bay just by the grace of God. I don’t do things anyhow. I respect myself a lot. I don’t do things that I wouldn’t want people to hear. That is the answer (laughs).

How do you cope with your fans?

I appreciate them a lot because there wouldn’t have been any Ngozi Ezeonu without my fans. I cope very well with them. They encourage me. If you call yourself a star,’ you must always be in the mood to say hello to your fans. Without these people, nobody will buy your films. And the stardom will just go. So, no matter the mood, I try as much as possible to appreciate them.

What about the fact that you don’t have any privacy?

I don’t feel bad about that. I see myself as some people’s role model. This is because you being a star means you have a lot of responsibilities. There are certain things you can’t do any more because people look up to you, especially children. Also, you have to really respect yourself. My being a Nollywood star does not stop me from buying roasted plantain beside the road or buying some fairly used clothes maybe for my children if I will have to. But the difference is that they may sell it to me at a high cost.

Who is your role model?

My mother is my role model. Although she didn’t go to school, she reads. She reads her Bible. And she is very strong.

MORE INTERVIEW WITH NGOZI EZEONU NEE NWANETO

Tell us a little about your childhood, growing up, parents, brothers and sisters? 

Parents - Mr and Mrs D.O. Ikpelue. I have 5 brothers and one sister (7 all together).Normal Nigerian home. Above average.

What was the first paying job ever that you had? 

Hair dressing. I practised journalism for a short while too.

How much were you paid per month and what were the responsibilities? 

I was self-employed and comfortable.

What other jobs did you do outside Acting? 

None.

What made you go into the Acting career and when did you start Acting (year)? 

The Interest. I started acting professionally in 1993.

Who were your Idols/Models (Actors) in those days? 

None.

What was your first role in theatre, TV or Movies? 

Supporting lead in Nneka, the pretty serpent, an Igbo Movie.

What was your major break-through role and in what film, series or play? 

Thelma in Glamour girls (1), back in 1993.

What were the constraints you had to face and overcome as an up-and -coming Actor (young actor)? 

I was Lucky - None.

How many films have you been involved with as an Actor to date? 

I have done quite a lot at least 50 movies. Glamour Girls, Nneka, the pretty serpent, August Meeting (1) and (2), Christ in me, In the beginning (1) and (2), Innocent tears (1) and (2), etc.

AS a DYNAMIC,OUTSTANDING,'A'-List Actor, how have you managed to adapt to the different range of roles you have played in your career? 

*Versatility and Interpretation.

What is the most awkward or strangest role you have had to take /play in your career and why?

My role in "Love in High Places". No reason at all. 

What films have you been most proud to be involved with so far, and why? 

Glamour girls, My best friend, and My faithful friend.

As an 'A'-List Actor, yourself, what other 'A'-List Actors or Actresses have worked or collaborated with? 

*Pete Edochie, Liz Benson, Sola Fosudo, Sola Shobowale, Clarion Chukwurah, Justus Esiri, Eucharia Anunobi-Ekwu, etc.

Did you at anytime want to quit your Acting career for something else or for any reason, and why(if any)? 

Never.

What is the motivation for you or what keeps you interested in this career every morning you wake up? 

The Job satisfaction I get.

How important are our Nigerian roots, moral, values, knowledge and sense of wisdom to you and your works? 

They are very important, they form the bedrock of any job I take part in.

On the stories, scripts, or screen play of your films, and its impact on the Nigerian/African culture values (home and abroad), how do you manage to harness, keep and pass them across in your films? 

*Like I mentioned earlier, I consider the impact my films will have on the public. I hold morals and our cultural values close to my heart. I also use my films as a medium to evangelise.

Are you also a producer, Director and film-maker, which seems to the natural progression for our actors/actresses? 

I am concentrating on just Acting for now.

What project are you working on at the moment and with whom? 

I just finished a job with Sola Fosudo in Enugu for Twins Production (The Agents for Naijacommunity.com in Eastern Nigeria).

Where do you see yourself in this career in the next five years? 

I will be five steps higher in the next five years, by the grace of God.

Where do you see the Nigerian movies industry in the next couple of years? 

It definitely must have passed the teething stage.

When you are not working (Acting, or making a film), what do you do or how do you pass the time? 

I stay with my family and play wife and mother.

What kind of music do you listen to and who is your favourite musician? 

I listen to all kinds of music depending on my mood. I Like Whitney Houston a lot.

Is there an international Actor (American, British, Australian, African, etc.) you will want to work with if the opportunity presented itself? 

I will want to work with Whoopi Goldberg if I have the opportunity.

What message do you have for your international fans in America, United Kingdom, Europe,Africa and its Diaspora? 

I appreciate all of you. I promise not to disappoint you all, God bless you.

For any reason at all, how would you personally want your fans to remember you? 

As one who did not lose her sanity and kept her feet on the ground

A little more about Nkiru Sylvanus

Do you know that fast rising Nollywood star actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, has a very strong relationship with her dad? Her closeness to her father is so solid that, according to her, you will think he is her husband. Nkiru, who has had a long time romance with acting since her secondary school days, disclosed that “my relationship with my father is so intimate that you will think he is my husband. He is my number one critic. I’m not as close to my mum as I am to my dad.”

Since she is very close to her father, how does he react to her acting career, especially if she was to act an intimate role with an actor, the stunning star of “Divided Heart” responded that “initially my dad did not want me to go into acting. You know, he likes to protect me. But when he realised that acting is what I have chosen to do, he had to accept it. But I think he is likely to feel jealous if he watched my movie and saw someone kissing me. I know he wouldn’t like that at all. But then, it’s part of the job”

Nkiru, who as at May 2006 still studying Mass Communication at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, has a strong phobia for snakes. Of course, not many people can really stand the reptile, but the “Act of fate” star actress has a valid reason to be scared of snake. Hear her: “I was bitten by a snake when I was in JSS3. It was so bad that I thought I was going to die. It was an experience I don’t like to recall. But since then, I’ve been very scared of snakes.”
Culled from NIGERIAN PUNCH NEWSPAPER, Saturday May 13, 2006

With the above paragraph, the Nigerian Nollywood Photoblog celebrate the crying expert actress, Nkiru Sylvanus. Come along and see a collage of her several pictures.

Presenting another Nollywood Actor - Nonso Diobi

Nonso Diobi was born July 17th, in Enugu to the Diobi’s family. Nonso Diobi grew up in Anambra state, Nigeria. He grew up with a family of 5, 2 girls and 3 guys. As the last child of the family, Nonso Diobi always saw himself in the limelight and as an independent individual. He began his own mini business at a tender age, selling clothes to his fellow individual at his high school. His parents exposed him to explore his God given talents by doing stage plays at his local church when he was 15years old. He became one of the best in his church drama group.
In the fall of 2001, He decided to take his acting skills to another level by entering into the now famous Nollywood. He featured in his first movie “Border line” which was shot by top director “Adim William”. His first breakthrough movie “Hatred” came right after he did Border line”
Nonso Diobi never looked back, as Nollywood keeps calling on this young, handsome, dynamic, and multi-talented star with over twenty movies to his credits. As the first Nigerian actor to be signed unto Jton Productions in New York, Nonso Diobi is using his opportunities to explore other God talents which he plans to unleash within the next few years. His greatest joy and soul satisfaction is to continue to entertain his fans as they are his number one priority. He finds joy when his fans admire and watches him on screen. One of his goals is to own a studio and enter deep into movie making and Animations. Nonso Diobi’s hobbies are listening to music, dancing, singing, long tennis, playing soccer in his PS2.
Culled from his website

I am a Simple Warri Boy - RMD

Nollywood star actor, Richard Mofe Damijo who was recently appointed special adviser to the Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is learning the process well.

In this brief chat at an event in Asaba, Delta state, he speaks on how he copes with his new assignment, how he handled his female fans while he was actively acting and explains that his new appointment has not separated him from his career. Enjoy;

As a government official now, what is your new job like?

It is challenging, but I am learning the process. I am a fast learner, thank God for that and there are people there who are guiding me in the process of trying to understand that things are done differently here. I’m enjoying it.

What happens to your acting career?

No o ,I haven’t really left acting. I’m going to be doing a lot of local work here to build the industry here, so there’s really no leaving the art. I am going to teach, I am going to coach and I’m going to inspire, so I’m still involved in acting one way or the other.

May be not as much as I used to in front of the camera, but I’m going to be doing a lot behind the cameras for now. For instance in the month of March, we have set in motion the Delta Entertainment Summit where stakeholders in the music and movies business will gather in Warri to talk about the best ways of entrenching the right tenets of showbizness.

We expect people like Emeka Mba of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, and a host of others in Warri. This will reduce if not stop restiveness in the area and inspire several others to benefit from art.

Now that you have a more tasking job, how do you joggle between your family and this tasking job?
This is not more tedious. Every work is tedious, what you aim for is a balance. Every work takes you away from your family, what you do is to create a balance between your family and your job.

Make a flash back as to how your journey in the arts all started?

I think it just a childhood fantasy and I also studied Theater Arts, so I guess it was a natural calling.

Obstacles and challenges dogged your path, how did you overcome?

Making sure that I sold the idea that being an actor does not necessarily mean being intellectually berated. What I have tried to do is to give the actors some integrity that after the acting you also have some brains.

Is it true that female actresses have to sleep around with producers and directors to get roles?

I didn’t go through that experience myself, so I can’t speak for the others because I don’t think anybody that I have worked with even as a producer or as a director would have had to go through that to get any role from me. For me, merit is what matters.

Sex can only take you so far, but if you don’t have any talent, no matter how many people you sleep with, you will not make progress.

How did you or how do you handle your female fans, every one knows they are too numerous and still come in droves?

There is no written text book on how to handle them. It is by the grace of God. I try being nice to everybody and I try to put everybody in their place and I also make them know that there are limits to every thing in life including star adulation.

If you are opportuned to change anything in the Nigerian entertainment industry, what will it be?
Get rid of all the charlatans.

Who are the charlatans?

Those who give professionals bad name. Those who don’t know anything about the profession but think they must participate.

They don’t research before they write their scripts, they don’t research before they act and when they come up with their films or styles, they are not up to standard and people use that to judge professionals.

How would you describe your self?

A simple Warri boy.

Who is your role model?

I have plenty , but I’ll mention Wole Soyinka and Nelson Mandela.

What type of clothes do you wear?

I wear anything good. Mudi makes my clothes

What about shoes?

I wear anything good that suit me.

Getting to Know More of Chiege Alisigwe of Nollywood

CHIEGE Alisigwe Ebbe could have been an acclaimed athlete. But perhaps she was not destined to be one. Fate had something else in stock for her: she became an actress, a tube goddess, one of the beauties that make Nollywood tick.

In early days at school, the Orlu Imo-State born Chiege was athletic champion for many years and would have gladly represented Enugu State at an earlier edition of the National Sports Festival, but for the politics of state of origin, which deprived her of that opportunity. That ended her dream of being a top athlete.

She gave acting a serious thought after her studies at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, where she studied Fine and Applied Arts. An encounter with a family friend who was then a recognisable face in the movie industry provided the break. She had expressed the desire to do some serious acting to the family friend who informed her of an audition exercise at the Hotel Presidential in Enugu.

After her first role as Agu's wife in 'Igbodo' she soon got a lead role in the epic movie 'Oganigwe'.

She has since featured in over 60 home videos. Some producers have thought that Chiege would not last in the industry when she came in. They had thought she was a flash in the pan that would run out in no time.

But almost six years after, she is still waxing stronger in Nollywood, determined, she says, to prove that she is into acting good.

Chiege used to be married with a baby. She says her husband saw her on the screen, and that was how the attraction started. "He was so persistent until I decided one day to honour his date. But much later I discovered that his dad and mine were very good friends when they were young," she recalls her encounter with the love of her life.

She says she married early because she believes that there is respect in being married. "I know some people always ask why I married. I wanted it early because I believe when you are married you are more respected. I don't believe that a woman should remain single for the better part of her youth. Marriage attracts respect and it doesn't make you a lesser actress."
On Nollywood she says: "We must begin to get people to specialise. I am an advocate for specialisation. Produce only if you are a producer, direct only if you are a director. People should be able to specialise, that way they would become masters of their arts."

Some Chiege movies includes End of Dream, End of Money, Once a Soldier, Message, Traditional Marriage, My Portfolio, Sadist, Under Fire etc

Nigeria movies
The Nigerian movie industry has come a long way. We have tried to hue water out of stone. It has grown so much. There are several things that are not going well but I must tell you, it is so far, so good. It is not what it used to be but we have moved forward in some areas.

Future
I think there is a great future for the industry here in Nigeria. We started small but with God and with interest in its growth, the Nigerian home video industry will grow from where it is now.

How do you feel being one of the few getting roles?
I feel very great and thankful to God for being there. Everyone is slugging it out to survive, both big and small artistes. So it is the grace of God not even your hard work or your beautiful face that keeps you there.

First role
My first acting role came in 1998. I was introduced into Nollywood by a family friend named Kelvin Ugwu, a broadcaster and actor. I did my first audition in the movie Igodo where I got the role of Agu's wife. I did Oganigwe, My love and others.

Dreams
I won't say I dreamt about being in the movies before the opportunity came. I just came out of secondary school. I attended Queens School Enugu and was a member of the Dramatic Society. I was not just dreaming because it is part of me and I knew I would be there some day. I left secondary school in 1996 waiting for my JAMB result, so 1998, I went into the industry. Kelvin had said to me: “Now that you are waiting for JAMB, why not come to try your luck?” I thank God it has been lead roles all the way.

Riches/wealth
I consider myself a very comfortable person. I don't talk about riches because it is God that gives them. I wonder when people talk about riches. It is not any one's making to be rich or poor. It is only God that decides this.

Challenges
The challenge there was knowing that you are a new comer in the arena coming to slug it out with the known faces. There was a little bit of anxiety when I was auditioned to feature in Igodo but I have always believed in my ability to act. It was determination and solid belief that I have the ability that made me excel.

Talent
I have always believed that talent is the basis for any grasping of knowledge. I learnt so much from our Dramatic Society but I have also learnt so much from Nigerian notable directors who have directed my acting in their films. I have learnt quite a lot and continue to learn. I can't say I got all from the drama group but the rudiments were the basic foundation.

Background
I come from Umueshigwe, Orlu, in Imo State, but I grew up in Enugu where I had my Primary and Secondary school education and went ahead to study Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Management and Technology also in Enugu.

I completed my Youth service in 2006.

Movies
The most challenging movie for me was Under Fire. I played a typical village girl who couldn't speak English. My director helped me a lot. Tchidi Chikere did plenty to help me realise this and people are commending me for that role till date.

Sexual Harassment
I have never encountered this. I go all out to do what I am expected to do. I do not mix pleasure with business. So I am serious minded. I won't talk about that because I have never come across that. However, I have heard that it exists especially from the new actors.

Lesbianism /Homosexuality
I have heard about it but I have never been approached for such. I believe that no one could even come around me to propose that. I was a day student in secondary school so the idea of inculcating lesbianism into me did not arise. I am yet to see the lesbian who would woo me when there are several handsome men out on the streets.

Marketers/Producers
I have a working relationship with them. It is only a working relationship I said. If you want me in your movie, you invite me, we negotiate and then I work. After that, we move on. We have a strictly business relationship.

LoveI was once married and I have a baby girl. The marriage crashed. The marriage did not work out. The marriage was consummated in 2002. For me, it is past tense and I won't talk much about it. We were incompatible and it didn't work.

Kind of man
I love a God-fearing, determined and hard working man. He must be respectful and humble. Men who are full of themselves bore me stiff. I detest being around them. He could be good looking as people say, but I don't mind that. I find it hard to discuss about men in the good looking adjective because it does not follow. He must just be a man, and this doesn't mean being a monster.

Wrong choice
I won't say I made a wrong choice of a husband. May be I was naive when the affair was contracted. May be it was a wrong choice. I won't call it a mistake but I call it experience which I have learnt from. The marriage, lasted for only three months you won't believe it. I had concieved the baby in my womb before we fell apart, three months later so I had the baby and have taken care of her all by myself since she was born. When I am working, she stays with my sister and as soon as I am back from location, I take her. She lives with me and I love her so much. In fact, she is my jewel.

Single mum
It is not easy but I cope. My baby is my jewel and I am very happy I have her. It's a blessing and not a stress as people want to say. Her name is Munachimsoaga.

Marry again?
Yes, if the time is right and the guy is right. Why not? I am young and can't live my entire life alone without a man. But the time and the guy have to be right. I can't afford to make the mistake I made earlier so I am watchful and very careful the way I fall this time around.

Hobbies
I love to spend time with my daughter and listen to music. I love music.

Philosophy
I do not regret any thing, I just move on. Just see everything as experience and it goes on and on. You must be strong in whatever you do.

The Model in Lilian Bach of Nollywood

: How are you different from the Lilian Bach we see in movies?
I’m very sure the Lilian Bach you’re seeing is different from the one you see in movies. This is because, I’m only interpreting the roles assigned me. However, I’m simple and down-to-earth. I don’t have any air of pretence about men, I do my job as an actress and interpret my roles to the best of my abilities. I play different roles in movies, like a wayward lady, funny housewife, a devoted housewife, a schoolgirl, etc. I’ve actually played many characters, but the real me is simple and God-fearing.

Q: Have you at anytime played a role that accurately depicts the real you?
I can’t remember, because I have played so many roles. So it is difficult for me to say. May be when I get home and search through the movies I have acted, I will be able to know the ones I acted something close to what I am in real life. But for now, it is very difficult for me to say.

Q: People believe it’s your beauty, more than anything else, that gave you the Nollywood breakthrough.

People can say what they like. The’re entitled to their opinions. I was in India some weeks back and was watching CNN. They were interviewing a lady who is one of the reigning stars of Bollywood. She just did a movie with Jackie Chan and the journalist asked her: ‘people say it is your sexy look that got you to the top’. I was really impressed with the answer the lady gave. She said Jackie Chan used his muscles to get to where he is, so if her sexy looks got her to the top, what is wrong with that? If people see that I have a light complexion and therefore I’m fit for a particular role, what is the problem about it? Even if you have the physique and you can’t interpret the role properly, you won’t be given any role. So, for them to have given me roles means I have the qualities and I give God the glory.

Q: So, what will you say actually brought you to limelight?
I don’t know because I started as a model, so I’ve always been in the limelight. I started modelling when it was no big deal here, when it was just gradually gaining ground, just as some people began acting before home videos gained ground. I’ve always been in the limelight, but I’m a quiet person, I’m not a noise-maker, I’m a silent achiever, so I can’t say this is what brought me to limelight.

Q: What makes you different from other actresses?

Yeah, we have a lot of actresses, and the sky is so big for every bird to fly without having accidents in the air. That’s the way I see it. What makes me different is that I guess I have my own ways and I’m sure my fans, directors and producers who have been using me for jobs in Nollywood know what makes me different or may be when it comes to some certain roles, they know I can handle them better. I really don’t know that special thing about me, but it’s left to those who’ve been using me to say that thing is special about this girl. I just know I’m one of the talented people in Nollywood. Each of us has what distinguishes her from the other. I just know I have been able to play different roles, I’ve not been sterotyped to play one particular role, I’ve found myself playing all kinds of roles.

Q: What kind of roles do you enjoy playing most?

Acting itself is just like playing, and you’re been paid. I enjoy every role given to me, so I can’t say this is the one I enjoy playing most. I’m still looking forward to more challenging roles which I have not played. I want to play the role of a blind woman, I want to play the role of an old woman, it is possible with good make up. Those are the kind of roles I’m looking forward to.

Q: Tell us about your experience in Nollywood?

It has not been easy, I must tell you. The way to the top is not always easy. I’ve been discouraged many times, but the love of the job keeps pulling me back. It’s been so good and at the same time, there have been ups and downs along the line. For example, when I started in 1997, you won’t believe I wasn’t paid for the first two movies I did. I just said ‘is this how the so-called Nollywood is’?. At times, you see or hear some things that could discourage you, or actually discourage you. But then, I’ve learnt that you just have to turn deaf ears if you want to remain in the acting world. You pretend that you’re not hearing anything at all. Is it what your colleagues who are not happy about you say or what you read about yourself in the papers that are not true? I believe if others are surviving such criticism, I too can survive it.

Q: How do you really feel when actors are smooching you on set?

They are not smooching for fun, they are acting their roles. There is nothing to it at all. If you’re given a role to play, you just have to play it perfectly, to convince your viewers. So I don’t see anything wrong in people smooching themselves on set, according to you. As far as you are doing your job, and not just smooching out of set. They are smooching because the role demands them to smooch. As for me, I interpret my role and character. If the role says smooch, we have a way to smooch so it is not something indecent and that’s where it ends.

Q: But an actress once said some actors go the extra-mile in interpreting the role?
I have never experienced such a thing. I guess it has to do with whoever is playing with whoever. A professional is always a professional. I’m not saying that there are no people that go the extra-mile to interpret their roles, but I’ve never experienced it because when I’m doing my job, I’m strictly doing my job. If I want to do romance or play funny, it won’t be when I’m doing my work.

Q: Don’t you sometimes get carried away when touched in a sensitive part of your body by an actor?

What sensitive part are you talking about? I haven’t seen people going beyond kissing in movies. Anyway, different things turn different people on, but as for me, when I’m working, my brain is telling me I’m working. I don’t get carried away by anything. I think it has to do with the structure of your mind and brain. Some people are not disciplined and they are careless and useless when it comes to simple touch or whatever it is. That is when they can get carried away, but I’m a disciplined person. May be some people have been admiring each other before and when they meet on set, they see it as an opportunity to express whatever feelings they have for each other.

Q: What is the reason behind your recent trip to India?

I went for Indian Broadcast 2005. It’s about some exhibitions. I think it’s something that holds every year. We were supposed to be greater in number for the trip, but some people backed out for one reason or the other. For me, I love anything I will gain from. It was an official trip really, a lot of people came from all over the world to exhibit the latest technology in film making. We saw the latest cameras, different kinds of recording equipment and all that. That’s what I went for: to see how the industry is developing out there. I learned from the trip that there is another ‘acting industry’ inSouth India called Tollywood. I was surprised because I’d never heard of Tollywood before and I heard they have the biggest studio in the whole world, which is even bigger than Hollywood. Due to insufficient time, because I spent five days, we couldn’t visit Tollywood to see things for ourselves. I also learnt about a HDB camera that people are going for now. You can actually transfer to 3-5 ML converter for cinema viewing, so I came back with a lot of brochures of the latest cameras. I saw a lot of new equipment that we’ve not been using here in Nigeria.

Q: How do you see the quality of films we have in Nollywood compared to Hollywood and Bollywood?

To be honest, in terms of quality, we haven’t arrived yet. But we have good stories. Quality is our problem now. We can as well do better if we try to use some of those equipment. I even discovered that some of those equipment are not expensive, it’s what people can come together to buy, an individual can even purchase some of these equipment. It’s just that standard and quality that we have not achieved. Afterall, the actors in Hollywood and Bollywood are human like us, so I don’t see what they’re doing that we cannot do. We are even better than some of them in terms of acting, directing or producing. What is killing us is the penchant for cutting corners and that won’t do us any good. When you spend money on a production, it’s always better than when you cut corners. The major barrier we have is to stop producing wishy washy films, we should try to use these latest cameras and all that, so that people will stop complaining about our works. Another problem is that Nollywood is not united. A house divided against itself will never stand. Anyway, may be these things are happening because we are just growing. It’s high time we stopped crawling, we need to walk, and for us to walk, we have to do away with the ugly things. We know what is right for the industry to grow. No more wishy washy films, use the right cameras, no more cutting corners, if the budget of a production says N5 million, go ahead and do it. Some are actually afraid of piracy but I can tell you these things can be curbed if we are united.

Q: What is your interest in music?

I’m a singer, I have an album that I have cooked up for about four years now which I’m yet to release. I don’t want to be referred to as having joined the bandwagon. I’m a very patient person, I like to take my time on whatever I’m doing. People were just fortunate to see one or two tracks out of the six tracks, and that is the Makossa track that talks about marriage. But I’ve got some superb tracks, like hip hop and other genres in the album, which people have not heard. It’s a Christian gospel music because that’s my calling. As time goes on, I will make up my mind on when to release it, I’m not in a hurry or under any pressure because I’m not doing it to make money but to win souls for God.

Q: You’re still single, I’ve heard you saying once that it’s because you’ve not met Mr. Right. Have there not been pressures from your family?

I’m not from that kind of family, nobody is putting any pressure on anybody, so I thank God for that. In my family, my mother respects everybody’s opinion and feelings about life. I will let you know when it is time. I’ve not changed from the Lilian Bach I used to be. I appreciate the media in terms of their encouragement and good publicity. Without you journalists, some people will never know us. Some of the new movies I did are not yet out, so you guys should just watch out.

WHERE IS VICTORIA IYAMA OF NOLLYWOOD

Does anyone knows the whereabout of the talented nollywood actress Victoria Iyama? Unconfirmed gists was that she is in UK, married with children. Her fans keep mailing me to feature her in my blogs and that perhaps this may prompt out more information concerning her whereabouts. Her fans are worried that they have not been seeing her in flicks nowadays. If Miss Iyama is reading this or her close relations, kindly prevail on her to calm the nerves of her numerous fans.
So, in our efforts to photoblog some of our nollywood stars who are missing in action, we commence with VICTORIA IYAMA.

All about Oge Okoye of Nollywood

Oge was born in London to the Late Mazi Okoye and Lolo Okoye, both devout Anglicans. It was froOge was born in London to the Late Mazi Okoye and Lolo Okoye, both devout Anglicans. It was from them that Oge imbibed the virtues of honesty, sincerity, courage and fear of God. A native of Nnewi in Anambra State, Oge, who was born under the star sign Scorpio, had her early education partly in London, at the University Primary School Enugu and at the Holy Rosary College, Enugu. In school Oge was engaged in a number of theatrical activities, which got quite a number of people, including her teachers, convinced that she was cut out for a career in entertainment. After her primary and post primary education, Oge gained admission into the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Akwa, Anambra State where she graduated four years later with a degree in Theatre Arts. It was during Oge's first year in the University at Akwa that the inspiration to become a 'big time actress' heightened. She felt that it wouldn't be out of place to try her hands on her long held passion.

ge stole people’s heart with her role in Spanner and Sister Mary, Enjoy this interview with the Nnmadi Azikwe University theatre arts graduate and mother of one.

How has motherhood been?

Motherhood has been a bit of fun and interesting although it is challenging in a way. It’s been fun for me.

What should we expect from you in 2008?

More acting and something big

I thought I would be meeting a very fat Oge, what did you do with your weight?

I can’t do that because of my career. I cannot allow myself to be bloated out because I just had a baby. I watch what I eat and go for exercises everyday and I go for my swimming lessons every evening as well.

Where do you swim?

I swim somewhere around Ikeja.

When can I come to watch you swim?

Don’t bother.

How is your baby doing?

He is okay, he is one year plus now and he has started school.

How far have you gone with acting in this year?

I just finished one and will be starting another one on Monday. I started getting jobs as soon as I came back. I wasn’t out of the scene for a long time.

Why did you go and have your baby in London?

I was born there and I thought it will be nice to give my baby that privilege as well.

Despite your privilege background and star status, you are still down to earth. Why this simplicity?

This is me you are seeing, why should I be proud? I was brought up that way; humility is the first key for me. I’m a simple girl.

You would have easily chose another profession, why acting?

I have always wanted to act and as a small girl I’ve always dreamt of being a super star actress. I’ve always wanted to act, that was why I had to go and study it in school. This is my dream and I’m happy with what I’m doing.

You came back to Nigeria in March 2007; did you not lose some ground?

It wasn’t as if I was off for a very long time. As soon as I got back I started getting called up; may be they miss me when I was away.

How has it been with your husband?

My husband has been a very supportive person, very loving and kind. He is everything I could think of. He is all in one.

Your husband is based in Holland, why didn’t you go to Holland to give birth to your child?

I wanted to give my baby a life. I was in Holland all through, but was shuttling Spain and London because my mum stays in Spain. I stay in Holland a bit, then off to Spain and back to London. I was just enjoying myself with the pregnancy.

I heard your husband is married to another white woman over there. Is that true?

That is a blatant lie. I don’t know why somebody would just cook up that kind of story.

So, he was as single as Jesus Christ when you met.

Yes, of course. He is only married to only me.

So he has never been married before.

Yes.

You sound so sure.

Yes, I’m confident there is no reason to be shaky.

Where did you think the story come from?

I don’t know. I saw it first on the internet. I really don’t know where it came from. BUT I KNOW IT IS A LIE.

Don’t you get scared that you are leaving your husband to wolves in Holland?

When you get married to your husband and I mean your own husband, there won’t be reason for you to be scared. I trust him and he trusts me too, if not he won’t leave me to wolves here too. We trust each other; I know he is not going to cheat on me. As we speak now, he is in Nigeria. And he is here most of the time.

Where does he stay when he comes home?

In our house of course, how can you be asking me that kind of question? Where else will he stay? We stay together.

Do you think trust is enough?

Yes, but love is all. There is love, trust, understanding and a whole lot of it. I’m not saying marriage will be rosy, husband and wife do have squabbles but with love and understanding things usually work out. If there is enough understanding I don’t know why there should be problem

I learnt you and Ini Edo are no longer best of friends.

Who says that? Ini is still my friend, she will always be my friend.

Is it true that you’ve kept your distance from your single friends now that you are married?

If you are my friend you will always be my friend. My friends are still my friends. I can’t do that. I don’t agree with that.

Someone told me it is because you don’t want them to infiltrate your home.

It is not true. Those who know me well know that I’m a private person, I don’t have so many friend. I find it so hard to make so many friends.

Is that why you did not have much scandal associated with you before marriage?

May be, I keep to myself most of the time. My privacy is important to me. So I don’t know why anybody would say I abandoned my friends because of my marriage.

Though I got your wedding invitation, why did you get married in Spain secretly before coming home?

Why didn’t you have so many boyfriends before your husband?

I am not going to answer that.

How has it been as a married woman?

It’s fun and enjoyable but I must add that it is very challenging. Before you think about yourself and your career but now you have a husband and baby to think of about. You see it is a whole lot of responsibility on a woman, because she makes her home. It is like a big work but I’m getting used to it.

To what extent would you go to save your home?

I’ll go to any extent to save my home because I am happy with my home.

Will you forgive your husband if you catch your husband with another woman?

Of course I’ll forgive him but I know that I will not catch him with another woman, he is not someone like that.

What gives you the assurance?

I know him the same way he knows me.

On cold night that he is away what do you do?

I just hold my teddy bear, pray and talk to him on phone.

Is your prayer that ‘Lead me not into temptation’?

No, I just pray normal prayer.

Have you been tempted to go for another man?

God forbid, no way.

Why no way?

I am contented with what I have. I am okay with what I have. What else I’m I looking for?

So you are satisfied in all ramifications.

Oh yes, in all ramification.

That means he is okay for you on bed then.

What is your business with that? I don’t knw what you are talking about.

Why do you have tattoo on your boobs?

I have it on four different places.

Why on your boobs?

I just have it for the fun of it. I love tattoo.

You used to say the movie; ‘Sister Mary’ is your favourite movie. Why is that?

It was the first movie I played lead role, the marketer believes in me. I thank him a lot for that.

What does your husband do?

He is into cars and goods.

What extent will you go with your husband on bed?

What do you mean what extent? He is my husband, I’ll go all extent with him, all extent and anyway. Remember he is my husband.

m them that Oge imbibed the virtues of honesty, sincerity, courage and fear of God. A native of Nnewi in Anambra State, Oge, who was born under the star sign Scorpio, had her early education partly in London, at the University Primary School Enugu and at the Holy Rosary College, Enugu. In school Oge was engaged in a number of theatrical activities, which got quite a number of people, including her teachers, convinced that she was cut out for a career in entertainment. After her primary and post primary education, Oge gained admission into the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Akwa, Anambra State where she graduated four years later with a degree in Theatre Arts. It was during Oge's first year in the University at Akwa that the inspiration to become a 'big time actress' heightened. She felt that it wouldn't be out of place to try her hands on her long held passion.

ge stole people’s heart with her role in Spanner and Sister Mary, Enjoy this interview with the Nnmadi Azikwe University theatre arts graduate and mother of one.

How has motherhood been?

Motherhood has been a bit of fun and interesting although it is challenging in a way. It’s been fun for me.

What should we expect from you in 2008?

More acting and something big

I thought I would be meeting a very fat Oge, what did you do with your weight?

I can’t do that because of my career. I cannot allow myself to be bloated out because I just had a baby. I watch what I eat and go for exercises everyday and I go for my swimming lessons every evening as well.

Where do you swim?

I swim somewhere around Ikeja.

When can I come to watch you swim?

Don’t bother.

How is your baby doing?

He is okay, he is one year plus now and he has started school.

How far have you gone with acting in this year?

I just finished one and will be starting another one on Monday. I started getting jobs as soon as I came back. I wasn’t out of the scene for a long time.

Why did you go and have your baby in London?

I was born there and I thought it will be nice to give my baby that privilege as well.

Despite your privilege background and star status, you are still down to earth. Why this simplicity?

This is me you are seeing, why should I be proud? I was brought up that way; humility is the first key for me. I’m a simple girl.

You would have easily chose another profession, why acting?

I have always wanted to act and as a small girl I’ve always dreamt of being a super star actress. I’ve always wanted to act, that was why I had to go and study it in school. This is my dream and I’m happy with what I’m doing.

You came back to Nigeria in March 2007; did you not lose some ground?

It wasn’t as if I was off for a very long time. As soon as I got back I started getting called up; may be they miss me when I was away.

How has it been with your husband?

My husband has been a very supportive person, very loving and kind. He is everything I could think of. He is all in one.

Your husband is based in Holland, why didn’t you go to Holland to give birth to your child?

I wanted to give my baby a life. I was in Holland all through, but was shuttling Spain and London because my mum stays in Spain. I stay in Holland a bit, then off to Spain and back to London. I was just enjoying myself with the pregnancy.

I heard your husband is married to another white woman over there. Is that true?

That is a blatant lie. I don’t know why somebody would just cook up that kind of story.

So, he was as single as Jesus Christ when you met.

Yes, of course. He is only married to only me.

So he has never been married before.

Yes.

You sound so sure.

Yes, I’m confident there is no reason to be shaky.

Where did you think the story come from?

I don’t know. I saw it first on the internet. I really don’t know where it came from. BUT I KNOW IT IS A LIE.

Don’t you get scared that you are leaving your husband to wolves in Holland?

When you get married to your husband and I mean your own husband, there won’t be reason for you to be scared. I trust him and he trusts me too, if not he won’t leave me to wolves here too. We trust each other; I know he is not going to cheat on me. As we speak now, he is in Nigeria. And he is here most of the time.

Where does he stay when he comes home?

In our house of course, how can you be asking me that kind of question? Where else will he stay? We stay together.

Do you think trust is enough?

Yes, but love is all. There is love, trust, understanding and a whole lot of it. I’m not saying marriage will be rosy, husband and wife do have squabbles but with love and understanding things usually work out. If there is enough understanding I don’t know why there should be problem

I learnt you and Ini Edo are no longer best of friends.

Who says that? Ini is still my friend, she will always be my friend.

Is it true that you’ve kept your distance from your single friends now that you are married?

If you are my friend you will always be my friend. My friends are still my friends. I can’t do that. I don’t agree with that.

Someone told me it is because you don’t want them to infiltrate your home.

It is not true. Those who know me well know that I’m a private person, I don’t have so many friend. I find it so hard to make so many friends.

Is that why you did not have much scandal associated with you before marriage?

May be, I keep to myself most of the time. My privacy is important to me. So I don’t know why anybody would say I abandoned my friends because of my marriage.

Though I got your wedding invitation, why did you get married in Spain secretly before coming home?

Why didn’t you have so many boyfriends before your husband?

I am not going to answer that.

How has it been as a married woman?

It’s fun and enjoyable but I must add that it is very challenging. Before you think about yourself and your career but now you have a husband and baby to think of about. You see it is a whole lot of responsibility on a woman, because she makes her home. It is like a big work but I’m getting used to it.

To what extent would you go to save your home?

I’ll go to any extent to save my home because I am happy with my home.

Will you forgive your husband if you catch your husband with another woman?

Of course I’ll forgive him but I know that I will not catch him with another woman, he is not someone like that.

What gives you the assurance?

I know him the same way he knows me.

On cold night that he is away what do you do?

I just hold my teddy bear, pray and talk to him on phone.

Is your prayer that ‘Lead me not into temptation’?

No, I just pray normal prayer.

Have you been tempted to go for another man?

God forbid, no way.

Why no way?

I am contented with what I have. I am okay with what I have. What else I’m I looking for?

So you are satisfied in all ramifications.

Oh yes, in all ramification.

That means he is okay for you on bed then.

What is your business with that? I don’t knw what you are talking about.

Why do you have tattoo on your boobs?

I have it on four different places.

Why on your boobs?

I just have it for the fun of it. I love tattoo.

You used to say the movie; ‘Sister Mary’ is your favourite movie. Why is that?

It was the first movie I played lead role, the marketer believes in me. I thank him a lot for that.

What does your husband do?

He is into cars and goods.

What extent will you go with your husband on bed?

What do you mean what extent? He is my husband, I’ll go all extent with him, all extent and anyway. Remember he is my husband.

ALL ABOUT OGE OKOYE

I started acting when I was in the university precisely in my first year in school. That was when I did the job 'One Dollar' after which I did 'Spanner' and then 'Sister Mary'. But indulged in little dramas back in those days. So when I grew up and found myself studying theatre arts, I decided to just start acting. I was opportuned to find a platform as soon as I made my intention known to a few people who knew that my passion for acting was boundless.

" I really wanted to act but I didn't really know how to go about it. I had friends who told me that I had to go for audition and all that and I went for one and I was lucky to have been given a role. It was a sub lead. After the shoot, I was encouraged by the comments from the director and the producer who predicted that I would go far once I put my mind to it and work hard. After that movie, I started receiving offers. I am sure I handled my role in my debut performance well, because if I didn't do it very well, I don't think anyone would have called me up for another job."

But even as Oge was itching to be an actress, Daddy felt that she would be better off as a doctor. He had prepared her mind towards becoming a surgeon so she could save lives. "My dad is the strict type. You can't mess around with him. He really had a set opinion about acting because of the negative image actors portrayed then. It's really sad that he is not here to see the height I have attained so far. He died as soon as I started acting full time but he knew that my dream was to act.

"My mummy, who currently resides in Spain, also knew that I wanted to be an actress. She had no objection whatsoever. And really, my mum has always been with me. She has always been on my side to push me to any level I want to get to. I am like the only child of my parents, so all the pampering has been there. I mean she is not surprised at all about what I am doing. She has heard and read of my exploits and she is happy with me."

Oge's first shot at the home video turf was in the commercially successful comedy 'One Dollar' starring Patience Ozokwo and Victor Osuagwu. Though she played a supporting role, she drew attention to herself with her smooth interpretation and showed a lot of promise. "I didn't particularly do much, but many people called me up and were commending me. So that was how I knew that I was going to do some more work and even move higher."

After that outing in 'One Dollar', producers sought and engaged her. They all seemed to be in agreement that Oge was a good center to hang a story on. Today Oge has featured in over 50 movies with a dozen others at various stages of postproduction.

Of all her movie offerings, Oge picks her effort in the emotive movie 'Sister Mary' as her most tasking. "All the movies have I done have been tasking, but I found that particular movie tasking. I must say that it was that movie that brought me to limelight. I found it very challenging for the simple fact that I played the role as if I was really in the convent. I am not a catholic, but to convince the audience I visited so many places like the convent, bought books and made a lot of research. It came out well and so many people liked it particularly those in the catholic fold who thought I was Catholic. As a matter of fact I am an Anglican'

Indeed it was her performance in that movie that endeared her to a number of movie producers andmovie lovers. She kept receiving offers and has not stopped receiving those offers till date.

Asked to name her role models, Oge says that they are legion. But she lists the Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, Nigeria's Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Liz Benson and the veteran actor 'Uncle' Olu Jacobs as actors that have had tremendous influence on her. She adds: "I love Uncle Olu Jacobs. He is like a father to me. He talks to me from time to time on how to be better.

"I recall that one thing that he told me that has sort of guided me is the fact that I must never strive to be like anyone but myself. That's my word for anyone who wants to come into the industry. My word for them is that they shouldn't come into the industry to be like my role model Liz Benson or like Auntie Taiwo Ajai Lycett. They should create their style and be themselves. They should do their own thing and aim at being better than those on the turf."

Oge obviously has no regrets engaging the movie run way. She says that it has been worth the while and adds that she is always overjoyed each time fans cheer at her and each time people stop her on the streets to appreciate what she described as her 'little effort' on the screen. "I am happy each time they appreciate me. And really I don't feel that I have arrived yet. Oge still has a lot of grounds to cover. But I appreciate all their love and concern they have shown and accorded me."

If there is one role that her fans have not found her playing, then it's the strip-teasing role. Oge says there is no rule to her not playing such roles. "No rule to it. I think as an actress, you should be versatile. You must not be tied to a particular character. You should be able to flow in any role you are given. You shouldn't be stereotyped.

"So if I have not done any daring role, it's because it's the job that I have been given. But there is a very daring one that would soon come out. Maybe I should just ask my fans at this juncture to bear with me and consider my role in that movie as just make believe. I am certain that they would see a different Oge in the yet to be released movie."

Oge loves casual wear because they give her freedom of movement. "I wear the best but it's the best that would allow me move freely. So I normally would go for the best. I mean that's one of the challenges we face as celebrities. You can't afford not to appear good always. So my dress code has to do with what exactly is happening but I prefer a lot of casuals except when I have like a dinner or official engagement. Then I would look for something else to wear. But I prefer being caught in casuals, like in my jean and my shirt.

"As for perfume, I go for designers like Angels and Obsession. For jewelry I prefer gold. I hardly put on gels because I am prone to burns on my neckline. I am not too much into make-up. I only make up when I am on set. And as for food, I like Semovita and Edikaikang. I can hold on a shooting session once I am battling with a plate of Semovita and Edikainkong soup. As for music, I love rhythm and blues. I like to listen to Tuface Idibia and Lagbaja.

Asked to state the most ridiculous rumour she has read or heard about herself, Oge recalls a tale, which suggested that 'she was dead and buried'. She states what would have necessitated such a costly tale: "It was one tale that swept me off my feet and to know that it was flying everywhere and was even published in a popular magazine and with my picture there. It has nothing to do with me. I think someone died after we shot my second movie 'Spanner' and the folks thought I was the one. So they went to the press without verifying. That's one of the challenges we face as celebrities.

"The other is being able to interpret a particular role. I played a role of an army officer recently. It was challenging for me because I was to live a role of an army officer who was to hand out orders and keep a straight face. I tried everything possible and I know it came out well. Another part of the challenge is the fact that people judge you by the works you do and that's a bad thing to do because our own job is to act. It doesn't really mean that that is the way we are and that's the thing we do because our own job is to act.

"I played a wacko role in a movie recently. I think it was in 'Separate Lives' and a woman came to me and was shouting on me at a filling station. She was just screaming and taking the role I played in the movie so personal. But apart from that, everything is cool and okay."

Although she does not believe in reincarnation, Oge says she would choose to come back an actress if given the opportunity to live life again. Indeed for her, this has been very fulfilling. "I don't think I would have been happier in another profession. It has been particularly fulfilling. I am comfortable with whatever I am earning as an actress. It has been able to pick up my bills. And of course, what I earn today is better than what we earned when I started. For me, it was not really about the money, because if it is, there were so many things one would have indulged in. So it was not really about the money. I just wanted to do that I had always wanted to do, which is acting. That was just it, even though the money is helping out somehow."

When not on set, Oge spends time reading, watching movies, 'catching some rest' and 'just chilling out with some of my friends and relations'. Asked where she would want to be five years from now, Oge quips, "Hollywood." She would also want to be married then, be successful, have her kids and live a stress free life."