By David Ajiboye

“PLAYING WICKED ROLES IN MOVIES DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE WICKED”, PATIENCE OZOKWOR

Long before she starred in the movie, Old School, a movie that gave her the alias, Mama G and catapulted her to prominence in the movie industry, Patience Ozokwor was already an established name in Nollywood. Nobody forgets easily any of her famous roles either as a wicked mother in-law or step mother. And she is quick to tell you she accepts such roles to expose the wicked. She recently won the prestigious Face of Nollywood Award, a first of its  kind. But is Mama G only good at playing wicked roles? She gives the answer and a lot more in this exclusive chat with David Ajiboye.

You’re all smiles this morning, what’s up?

As you can see I’m feeling great.

How do you feel being the first ever Face of Nollywood Award Winner?

I feel honored and happy. I give God all the praise  because I would not have been able to achieve a thing like that on my own. Knowing also that this award was given to me by my fans makes me very happy and loved.

When your name was mentioned that day, the crowd gave an ovation in your honor, how exactly did you feel at that point?

At the very point my name was mentioned as the winner, I felt goose pimples all over me and I just went on my knees to praise God. When the voting was going on, I wasn’t aware so I didn’t vote for myself and I didn’t tell my people to vote for me. In fact when my name was mentioned among the last three, I told myself that at worst  I’d go home with the last prize. I’m very grateful to my fans out there knowing that they love me so much not minding who I am  or where I come from.

In your opinion what attributes can you say earned you this award?

I don’t know, may be my fans will answer that question better. Sometimes people call me and say that I act so well and real, but I don’t get carried away by those comments. It only makes me know that people are watching my movies; which means that a lot is expected of me.

Do you think this award should continue?

I think it’s an honorable venture and I thank God for inspiring the organizers of this event.  I think it’s a way of telling us to put more effort into what we’re doing and those of us who’ve not been doing so well will also be challenged to wake up.  This year I’m the winner, next year it could be someone else so I think it should continue.

From journalism to acting, how did you do it?

I was an announcer with Radio Nigeria but I left because Iwas retrenched. Before then, I had always acted in school and in church. And being an announcer on its own is acting because they both involve expression. The difference is just that you are not seen on radio.

How challenging was it when you took up acting as a career?

It wasn’t an easy task because acting in a movie is different from any other form of acting. Acting in a movie is differnent from stage acting and even soap operas. Some people act very well on stage and soaps, but when they come over to movies, they have to start learning all over again. When I took up acting as a career, I improved from one movie to another until I got used to movie acting. I will say that acting in movies is the most challenging of all other forms of acting.

Most times you play wicked and bad roles in movies, how do you feel taking on such roles?

It’s challenging playing the role of a bad person, for me it is much work. I don’t feel bad taking up such roles because I know that the character is not me. And it is very tasking to play such roles for people to understand the message you are passing across.

So how do you feel when you watch yourself play all those wicked roles?

Honestly I feel terrible. There was  a movie I did where I have to snatch a baby’s food and throw it away. Each time I watch that movie, I feel like crying, because I love babies so much. There’s another one where I had to put some poison in a baby’s mouth and the baby died afterwards. Whether we like it or not, these are things people do; so I take up such roles not just for the money but for the sake of exposing evil doers. It’s like creating awareness so that people can be conscious of their environment; that’s why I keep portraying such characters.

When people call you stage names,how do you feel?

I hail them. People know me by various names that I bear in movies and when they call me any of them, I remember the movie immediately. I feel very happy because it tells me people are really watching my movies.

Which of your movies do you think put you in the limelight?

I think it was Authority. Before then I had two other prominent roles in Amina and Odum. It was the roles I played in those movies that earned me a role in Authority and since then, I’ve not rested outside playing wicked roles.

Can you also take up romantic roles?

I’ve played so many romantic roles too. I acted in Love After Love and many others whose titles I cannot really remember.

Of all your movies, which is the best?

I don’t know how to assign importance to any of my movies but I pay equal attention to any script I get; no matter how small it is. It’s the smaller scripts that can even floor you if you’re not careful. The movie Old School had a small script, but by the time we finished, it came out wonderfully well, and earned me the name Mama G. I’ve never disrespected any script, but all the same, ther are some very challanging ones. I can’t pick out any as the best but I love Old School.

As an actress, have you ever had an embarrassing moment?

So many times and these happened at special gatherings or at the airport. People just walk up to me and say you are a wicked woman; you are a witch and things like that. Somebody even walked up to me one day and said, “Now I know why your husband died, you killed him.”Some people send me  text calling me witch after watching my movies  and I laugh at such people.

How do your in-laws perceive your career?

They are so happy with me. They love what I do. I can remember one family gathering we had where one of my in-laws told me that he was so happy when he went to the internet and saw the family name, ‘Ozokwor’, including my son the footballer. He encouraged the rest of our family to go and check it out. They’re very proud of me.

As a widow what challenges did you face bringing up your children?

My husband died in 2002, so we brought up our children together. My last child was already at the university then, which meant, I didn’t train him all alone.

Do you see any of your children going into acting?

My second son loves acting a lot; he’s shown a lot of interest in it. He invested some money in a movie this year and is interested in featuring in movies. My only daughter used to have interest in the industry too but she became a born-again and changed her mind. Right now, she’s working with Cadbury London, so there’s no time for her to act.

What do you have to tell your fans?

I’m very grateful to them for making me come this far and I’ll never dissappoint them. By God’s grace I’ll make you happy all the time. Keep watching my movies and keep listening to my music. Also try to learn whatever lessons I teach in my music like in the song,National Moi Moi, which tells you that those in government should allow the people to a taste of the national cake and the governed should work hard to earn a living for themselves  and be goog citizens of Nigeria. Above all, they should remember Jesus Christ in all they do because he and died to redeem us. Don’t forget that on the last day, you’ll give him an account of your stewardship.

Chidi-Mokeme

By David Ajiboye

“I’m a positive kind of playboy”, Chidiebere Geoffrey Azubuike Mokeme.

Actor cum model, Chidiebere Geoffrey Azubuike Mokeme, popularly known as Chidi Mokeme had the privilege of anchoring the first two editions of the popular Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) reality TV show sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc.

The 36 years old actor has by so doing dazzled millions of TV viewers in the country with his peculiar style as presenter of wave making reality show. In 2004, Mokeme led the GUS hopefuls to Snake Island in the outskirts of Lagos, and eventually made history as the first artist to supervise and present the show to millions of Nigerians who fell in love with the concept.

Anchorman for GUS 1&2

I guess it is basically for continuity purposes. My personal opinion to them is that it is good to have a steady anchor person that has also followed the show from from inception and at every point in time, have available history to rely on. There was also series of screen test again for the second time. And at the end of the day, they said to me, you got to keep the job. And I said okay, I’m ready to work.

Current Job

I just returned from a movie location by Andy Best Production in Abuja. The title of the movie is Pretty Angels. I played the lead role. I had another recording in Lagos with Lion-Base Productions. The movie was titled, Blood of an Armed Robber. And I will soon be going for other jobs. In fact, I’m basically back to what I know how to do best.

GUS and Nollywood

The two editions of GUS have helped in widening the scope of my fan base tremendously. But I’m still who I am in Nollywood. GUS can only bring positive changes.

First movie in Nollywood

I joined the commercial aspect of Nollywood in 1995. I had a shuttle between Zeb Ejiro’s Goodbye Tomorrow and Ralph Nwadike’s Body Vengeance . They were my first two movies in Nollywood. But I have been a model for long before Nollywood beckoned. Right now, I do more of endorsements. I had been working with the cameras long before Nollywood, particularly with people who were into tv. At one point, I was under Alex Osifo, who had an agency called Silver Models. I was then one of his models. I was into all these, until Nollywood came, So I guess the transition was more natural.

Success in Nollywood

I owe my success to everybody who has given me the opportunity to work with him or her. They all contributed to who I am today. I’ve actually worked my way to the top. Ten years is a long time. It is not a flash in the pan. It’s been ten long years of dedication, hard work and commitment, many years of excellence and professionalism.

13 years in Nollywood

With all sense of humility, I actually expected I would be way above where I am today. I took many risks to be in this industry. It was not something that my parents readily agreed to.  They actually had lot of problem with me modelling then. But somehow, I was strong headed and was adamant on what I wanted to do. I always had problems with them whenever I go for shooting and come back very late. They never could understand what kind of jobs I was into as a teenager then.  We had lots of friction then and I was a science student.  My transition into movies now made it worse for my parents and me.  Now I was no longer coming back late, but also staying away for one week or more on locations. It was not easy. And the determination in me for them to let me be was just to make a success out of this career. But I refused to quit. I always say to myself that the challanges as far as movies are concerned have not come yet. I still believe that there is so much more that I’m willing to unleash, but just waiting for the right kind of setting.

Biggest problem facing Nollywood

Nollywood has legion of problems. At the core of it all is mediocrity. it is virus that comes in various forms. But if you dig deep, you will find out that the bottom line is still mediocrity. People who do not appreciate the craft of art, should not be involved. If you have people who are coming in because of the millions they are making, then you will have so many substandard products.

Image of a playboy

If I cut that image in my movies, that is cool. But in real life, I’m a positive kind of playboy. My idea of what people call a playboy is some guy who is sleek, good looking and got everything going for him with nice cars and good house. Somebody who wears the right clothes, says the right thing without any impure intent in his heart. I want to look good, drives the kind of car that makes me happy. And also make those around me happy.

Female fans and admirers

One of the hardest things to find in Nigeria is gratitude for what you do. It is a difficult society. The truth is that some want to go beyond appreciating my work. I try to find ways of not hurting them whenever they come my way. I know where exactly to cut the line. I deal with it as it comes.

Marriage

I’m working towards that. I have a serious relationship. You’ll more about her when the time comes. We will tie the knot as soon as God says move.

Background

I’m Chidiebere Geoffrey Azubiuke Mokeme. The GQ actually comes from the G in my English name. And the Q, stands for Quo. I got it from status quo. I turned 33 last march 17. I’m the first in a family of two boys and three girls. I was born in Ogidi, Anambra State, but grew up here in Lagos. I’m also from Oba in the same State. I was a few months old when my parents brought me to Lagos. But my secondary education was in Minna, Niger State. I later went to Enugu for my higher education.

Future goals

To be the best in whatever it is that I lay my hands on.. I have lots of plans that I’m working on-They’re still under wraps. I will unleash them at the appropriate time. I will also go into movie making at the appropriate time.

How rich are you?

The truth is that I have a lot of goodwill going for me. I’m very comfortable.

By  David Ajiboye

Ambassador Segun Olusola;guest;Chief Anike Agabji-Williams

“WE WANT TO REVIVE VILLAGE HEADMASTER…” Ambassador Segun Olusola.

In this interview with the creator of the popular and first soap opera to air on tv in Africa, VILLAGE HEADMASTER, Ambassador Segun Olusola, who also doubles as the first tv producer in Africa, takes us back into about 4 decades of entertainment industry in Nigeria. He speaks on several issues  including his relationship with nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka among others. This interview with David Ajiboye, Staff Reporter/African Bureau Chief/africanmoviestar.com, was conducted on board Arik Airline, enroute Abuja and Enugu after the conclusion of National Art Festival (NAFEST). Excerpts:

Can you give us insight into why you created the Village Headmaster? 

The Village Headmaster is a story that came out of the radio feature production, which I had written in 1958, to pay tribute to the experiences  the old headmasters shared with people. The roles of headmasters all over the Yoruba speaking  part of Nigeria  in those days were not restricted to the schools alone. They were building communities. They were not just headmasters in the communities and when I wrote this feature programme and produced it, it involved my going round to meet all the elderly people who still admired and remembered their headmasters. I spoke to the late Dr. Sabiru Biobaku, Chief A.Y. Eke, etc. Of all the people I spoke to about their headmasters, the most remarkable and unforgetable was the Oba Ademola, the late Alake of Egbaland. Oba Ademola, the old man sat with me and he was remembering his headmaster. That was magnificent; I think it was in 1958, the old man was recounting his experience with his late headmaster. I was barely 25 years old then. As a radio producer, I was about 23 years old. I couldn’t forget that experience. So when television was introduced to Nigeria, one of the promises I made was that if they accepted me as a television producer in 1958, one of the things I could love to do was to produce a television programme in honor of the headmaster. And that was it. I spent some years in Ibadan until 1964 when I took up the job of television producer with Nigeria Television.

Then at Victoria Island in Lagos, the challange came on, more vigorously,  that the only way I could justify the work of a producer on television in the federal capital territory was to be able to design a programme. So we then started it. And what we then had much later is now published into a book, which I have titled, the Village Headmaster. All the characters and writers of the first 13 episodes are also here. The main producer was Oba Dosunmu who is now the Olowu of Owu in Abeokuta.

That is how the Village Headmaster began. It was inevitable that the characters should include Clara Fagade the wife of the headmaster and Clara happened to have been played by my late wife who was an actress in her own right, got married before she joined broadcasting. As for Amebo, that idea is a later story. By the time Amibo came into the Village Headmaster, it was obvious that we would be able to pin-point a major character  which will not only be unforgettable, but would be long lasting because Amibo’s character in the Village Headmaster setting is bound to live forever.

If it didn’t happen to the actress playing the role of Amibo in the Village Headmaster, we would recreate that’s how the Village Headmaster started. If you had been around at that time, you would have been part of the people to work in the Village Headmaster. The character, Amibo, has transcended Nigeria’s boundaries.

 You mean the Village Headmaster will come on screen again?

(Laughs). Let me put it this way, we are very eager to have it on screen. More than a year ago the founding members of the Village Headmaster including, the Olowu of Owu, the late Alaiye Ode of Ode Remo, Oba Fundo Adeolu, the late Oba Wole Amele of Aramoko and one of the senior producers of the series, Segun Akinbola, gathered at the residence of the Alaiye Ode of Odr Remo, planning the resuscitation of the Village Headmaster. It’s been a long while now, many other things had happened.

We left much of it in the hands of Segun Akinbola who was the longest serving producer of the Village Headmaster, who marked his 60th birthday a couple of days back. We charged him with the responsibility of redesigning and rebuilding the Village Headmaster, and all of us are working towards sponsorship. We are talking to some highbrow funding agencies in Nigeria and outside of Nigeria. And I can tell you that by the grace of the Almighty, as a testimony to the contribution the founding members have made, will be back not only on television but also as a major film in a matter of months.

On a lighter mood, do we expect to see our royal fathers acting on the screen or some new faces?

Well, no. We have not taken a decision on that. But the resuscitated Village Headmaster must include news of happenings around. As they say; who has ever seen the thunder? You will hear the sounds of thunder, but you may never feel thunder. Those revered personalities will be involved in more ways than just being actors. And I am going to leave you guessing about it. We will talk about them, we will feature the characters but the whole personalities will be reference point. But the Village Headmaster will come alive.

Now, coming to Mrs. Ibidun Allison, how was it thought that tha Amibo role should be hers and she has come to be an embodiment of Ameboism, if I may use that word? 

That’s the glory of television she herself has as a person. But the Village Headmaster became a darling of viewers for many reasons, top of which was the character of Amibo. And luckily for the person who played Amibo, she is still very strong and alive and willing. So you never can tell, she may, infact be one one of the restart writers who wolud also write herself into the new Village Headmaster. But we were all surprised just as I am surprised that one character in the Village Headmaster whose character was total as the Oba of the village, the leader of the community, the everything of that village, became even more than that. It then created and brought other characters that have remained unforgettable. One of them was our dear Amibo. It will come alive and we will make sure we feature Village Headmaster. 

In the original cast, there was one Mrs. Francesca Emmanuel…? 

No. She was not; she was with us on television when we were doing one play a month. We had done very good plays on television together at about thids time. For instance, she was involved in the  the play by J.P.Clark, titled, Song of a Goat, which we had put up in Ibadan, many years before television. In any case Francesca was with that creative crew of people at Victoria Island. But we could not afford her in the Village Headmaster because the programme demanded almost a permanent living culture in the studio. Don’t forget that she was a very senior government officer. That is one of the reasons we couldn’t carry her along.

At a point you had some creative relationship with professor Wole Soyinka, can you give us an insight?  

What do you mean by at a point? We are still relating creatively. We were together at Port Harcourt just about two years ago where his big book, I call it the “big book” was launched and he signed a copy for me. Our creative relationship commenced in the late 1958, 1959. He was already back at the University of Ibadan. He observed Christopher Kolade and me working on Players of the Dawn. Players of the Dawn was the only amateur dramatic group in Ibadan in those days. And each time he came to watch us, to see us rehearse, it was as if, to say, “I am no longer in the amateur dramatics with you people.”

But on one or two occasions, he was drawn into actually going on stage and act because may be the actor was not around or travelled out. So, we worked together even on Players of the Dawn until “1960 Masks”and the 1960 Masks got all of us involved including Francesca, Christopher Kolade, myself, including Ralph Okpara who has now passed on. We were all involved in pushing the idea of what we wanted to designate the first ever professional theatre in the country. And we remained members of the 1960 Masks. Most of the older ones peeled off and Wole then kick started the Orisun Theatre and all that. 

At no point, not even during the terrible political days that we all think the herd swerved, in which he was an active impact and motivator. At no time did we not remain family friends. Don’t forget that I am from Iperu in Remo, Ogun State and he’s from Isara, also in Ogun State. I keep reminding him that, you know…that the Abeokuta people must not think that Wole Soyinke is from Abeokuta. The father of Wole Soyinka was from Isara and I am from Iperu. We still stay on….

But he calls himself an Ijegba man?

(Laugh) Ma da lohun Jare (don’t mind him). There is nothing like Ijegba. that’s the kind of license that writers at his level are allowed to make. We, the Iperu people, Remo people do not accept Ijegba. It is his own creativity. But we allow him to have it. Certainly, he is the Remo son-of-the soil. We don’t mind the Egba or Abeokuta claiming, because his old woman was from Abeokuta, from a renowned family but certainly we own the father in Remo in Isara.

Can you look back into the good old days and how you started in the entertainment industry?

I am grateful that the younger generation seized what could have been a run away market for nonindegineous  cinematic material. I was part of that. I was part of the eagerness to go into film production with some Lebanese and Egyptian film makers. We did films like Son of Africa, and Golden Woman. Even before then, I had worked with a German professional colleague, Klaus Stephan, to produce Taiwo Shango on cinema, which was shown all over the world.

The dubbing of Taiwo Shango was done in German. People who saw Taiwo Shango on Eurpoean television  would see the actors and actresses speaking German in a dubbed version. And I was saying that inspite of that uncertain beginning, of the Lebanese and Egyptian film groups to produce films like Son of Africa, Golden Woman…Funso Adeolu was involved in that. That’s the late Alaiye Ode of Ode Remo, the younger people came on their own in the 80s and I was very pleased with the way Nollywood started developing; they ensured that some of the well trained film makers who used cine film also got involved in the production of Nollywood. I am waiting to even get involved in Nollywood.

You cannot take away creativity from these Nigerians. They may not have mastered the technology, but they established it and they are going to master it. 

By David Ajiboye

“…you have to pass through darkness to get to dawn”, Mike Ezuruonye.

Top Nollywood actor , Mike Ezuruonye, reveals in this chat with David Ajiboye, for africanmoviestar.com, why he’s a reserved person and why he keeps to himself. Excerpts:

Is acting all you wanted to do at the beginning?

Let us just say acting chose me. While growing up, I’ve been involved in acting one way or the other. But professionally I was dragged into it by Ruke Amata.

Which was your first movie and which year was that?

Funny enough, my first movie hasn’t seen the light of the day. The film was shot in 2005. The movies that took me into peoples’ consciousness are Broken Marriage and Critical Decision.

How does it feel to go through so much stress all in the name of acting?

Though tiring, it is fulfilling. The demand is quite much but we have to keep doing what we know how to do best.

I’m sure the money you’re making is worth your while?

I don’t know about that, but we thank God for everything.

Is it true you’re making lots of money?

Let me just say I can afford to pay certain bills and attend to some needs.

Recently you were in America for a tour..?

(Cuts in) I was there, but not for the tour. I didn’t go for it because I had a certain disagreement with their contract. The conditions were not right.

How does it feel when fans are all over you when you go out of the country?

Trust me; the love we get out of the country is great and enormous. It is so large. But to me, it means people are watching me and I have to improve on what I’m doing.

An A-list actor said you have displaced Ramsey Nouah Jr ?

I am not going to say I’ve displaced anybody. Let’s not forget that Ramsey is one actor you cannot disrespect at all because whether we like it or not, as a result of Ramsey, we have a lot of young men in the industry today. Everybody has her own talent, so nobody can displace anybody and, I have respect for Ramsey any day any time. He is one of the greatest actors Nollywood has ever produced.

I heard that lots of women are finding abode under your tent?

If you see women around me, It’s just that they appreciate my work. I’m only building my tent in Nollywood where I express my craft with passion.

Are there women who want to go the extra mile for you?

I don’t know about that. All I know is that when people appreciate my works, I thank them in return.

Do you appreciate them in cash or in kind?

You are getting me wrong. I don’t appreciate them in cash or in kind. It’s just an act of goodwill, a smile, and thank you very much.

Has being on tv changed your life?

Most definitely. It has it’s merits and demerits. Demerit in the sense that your privacy is taken away from you. Some people are out to see you make a wrong move, while some are out to crash your image without any reason. The merit is that doors open up for you here and abroad. People welcome you to their homes, you are given a lot of pleasure and people are happy. To me that is very fulfilling.

I learnt that the Ghanians are taking over the market because the marketers want to use them as market leverage in Ghana, how true is that?

We should be our brothers keeper. If there is any alliance, it is okay but the people who run the industry should know how to balance the equation.

Are you feeling the pinch like other actors?

I don’t want to sound selfish, but I’ll like to thank God.

How many movies do you do in a month?

When you get to a level, you have to be very careful. I do a lot of screening regarding the script I take, and that is why I don’t think I do more than two movies in a month.

You’ve been accused of many things and one of them is that you kiss passionately on set, what do you say to that?

This is the first time I’m hearing that. I just do my things and get out of there.

Which actress do you enjoy working with most?

I have a working relationship with every actress, both the upcoming and the stars. My motto is to be as natural as possible. If you want me to be friendly, I will be friendly and If you want me to be harsh, I will be harsh and you will forget that you are watching a movie.

I read something about you taking a girl abroad and dumping her?

I told you earlier that some people want to scratch your image. Why will I need to borrow from somebody? My father used to tell me that a borrower would go a sorrowing. I can afford to buy certain amenities with what I do. I never borrowed from any girl, it is so unfounded.

Why do you think such allegation was made against you?

I told you that people just want to scratch your image.

Have you had any fan that has gone to the extreme with her emotions or her anger with you?

That happens all the time. One of such is an experience I had sometime ago when I was outside the country. Some group of fans worked up to me, I think they’re from Aruba, in the Caribbean and they were so crazy, the madness was too much and my cloth got torn and I had to buy another shirt at the mall.

Which of your movies has been the most memorable.?

Lots of them, I can’t pick anyone now, I just put my best in all I do.

Who is the lucky woman in your life?

She doesn’t want to be made public now. By God’s grace, If we get married, you’ll know her. But I’m into relationship.

How many times Have you fallen in love?

No comment.

How many frogs Have you kissed before meeting your princess?

(Laughs) I’ve not. I guess I don’t like talking about my relationships. Let’s put it this way, you have to pass through darkness to get to dawn.

What is it that you look for in a woman?

She has to be God-fearing because He is the reason why I’m here today. He has put me on this pedestal and she must have a good character and be down-to-earth. Those are the basic qualities. She also has to be beautiful.

Is Mike a heart breaker?

I don’t consider myself a heart breaker.

How do you end a relationship that you feel cannot work?

Relationship start with two people, it is a mutual agreement. And If it should end, it should be mutual.

When is Mike getting married and what does love means to you?

When that time comes, you will know. Love is a feeling where you float in happiness and joy and you don’t feel any hurt.