What's the latest from your stable right now?
I am working on another blockbuster, The Moon (Osupa). And just as I have promised my fans that I won't disappoint them, Osupa is going to be better than all the movies I have produced so far. Also, I want to use this medium to appreciate all my fans for their support from inception till date. If not them, I wouldn't be where I am today. Then, another project I just embarked upon has to do with poultry.
What informed going into poultry?
I just felt I should also support my country with what I have, and I thought going into poultry farming will serve that purpose. It has also been on my mind to use what I am and what I have to benefit mankind and support Nigeria. So, with that project, I believe if I commit the little I am able to get from my career as a theatre practitioner into poultry, I will be able to generate employment for some or few of the unemployed youths. Even beyond that, it's also going to benefit a lot of people in different ways.
Where is the farm?
It's along Shagamu Road, Ikorodu, Lagos. There is a place designated as poultry farm. The farm was allocated by the state government for that purpose. And as we all know, commercial and large scale poultry can't be practiced in the main town, it has to be at the outskirts, where you will have spacious land. That's why I established it at that place. I am also using this medium to solicit government support so that it can be bigger than what I really planned.
How much have you spent so far on the project?
I have spent about N7m, and I am still spending. That's why I am in need of more funds to ensure the project is completed to my satisfaction.
Recently, you went to United States of America. What was the purpose of the trip?
Glory be to God, a group of people organized awards night, and they deemed it fit that I should be among the awardees. Those in the group included Olusola Alfa, Dele Ogundipe and other responsible people in the US. So, I had to be there and I was awarded Best Yoruba Actor of the Year. And on my return from the US, I was also informed that I was nominated for Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards. The awards ceremony was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I was not just nominated, I also won the award as Best Yoruba Actor, 2014. I was now wondering why everything was just happening almost at the same time. I even thought people like me are too old for such awards, not knowing that they have nothing to do with age but your performance. I now discovered that it was just God's favour because I am not the only one in the industry but it only pleased God to have bestowed on me such a great honour. Also, come Saturday, November 8, 2014, I will be travelling to UK for another award. They just told me on phone few days ago about it. So, everything is a surprise to me. I don't know what I have done in the sight of Allah to have deserved all these recognitions. But I think all I need do is to continue giving Him all the glory.
How does winning all these awards make you feel now?
It makes me feel so good and excited. I just keep thanking God all the time for everything because it's one thing to be nominated for an award, it's another thing to win it. I was not just nominated for the awards, I also won them, home and abroad. It's a sign of favour from Almighty God. That's why I can't thank Him enough.
On Saturday, September 6, 2014, you clocked 55. How does that make you feel also?
I feel so good and joyous. It's just the grace of God for one to attain 55, especially with the kind of situation we're going through nowadays. It's not a joke for one to clock 55, and to be honest, it calls for celebration. When you multiply 365 days with 55, you can imagine the number of days I have lived on the surface of the earth. But one thing is that it's the grace of God that I am enjoying. A lot of my age mates have gone to the great beyond. Even many others that I am older than are no more. So, keeping me alive till date is a special favour and grace of Allah. And I will continue to say Alhamdullilah. I have a lot of reasons to be thankful to God. I am not only alive, but God has also protected all that He had given me. So, I owe Him a lot of thanks about that.
At 55, what are the things you feel you can't do again going by the fact that you're getting old now?
As an elder in the industry, what's your comment on the situation of things in the Yoruba genre of the industry?
We're making a serious move to address the situation because it's our own thing and we can't allow it to derail.I hope between January and February 2015, everything will be ok..
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