Nollywood Actor, Chiwetalu Agu reveals how he gets slangs to interpret movie roles

Nollywood veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu known for his witty slangs which he interprets movie roles with, has revealed how he ‘generates’ them. According to Chiwetalu Agu in an interview with Vanguard, writers have not done enough justice to the screen plays. According to him, Information, education and entertainment are the three key elements one must apply in writing. Here are excerpts from the interview;Your fans are fascinated by your frequent use of some phrases in movies, do you feel comfortable using these phrases?“There was a time I thought that writers have not done enough justice to the screen plays. Information, education and entertainment are the three key elements one must apply in writing. Entertainment for instance, is lacking in most of our scripts, so the idea was to create specific language slang, phrases, cliches,bylines and cash point to entertain people. Chinwetalu Agu If you recall when we produced “Tabo”, the movie was supposed to be full of sorrows: dealing with the Osu cast system in Igboland.

Imagine in the Holy Book, where God made us all equal before Him, and man decided to segregate between what he calls ‘ the son of the soil, and a slavery( a living sacrifice to the gods).’Therefore, I decided to create a comic relief to calm down a situation. Even if you are watching a tragic movie, you would have cause to laugh. That was why I introduced the slang in the 90s, and today, everybody is happy for it. The elderly people now use those bylines to be happy, when watching my movies. Are these ‘phrases’ contained in the scripts you are given to interpret in movies?No script writer has ever written my clichesor bylines. Until tomorrow, nobody can do it. It’s either I asked the script writer, producer or director what the storyline is all about, from which I would create something based on what you have relayed to me or I would pick from my encyclopedia. I have over one thousand unused signature tunes.

Even if I have over one thousand scripts, I will see where to put one or two ‘slangs’ to spiceup the story.On the spot, I would create something. While on any set, I always asked the director or producer to give me the summary of the story so that I can create something that would fit into it. All my movies are sold out because of this signature. Executive producers and directors today insist that I must put it in any movie I’m featuring in. In fact, it’s the major reasons today that I am getting more roles in movies. This is not common among other actors. Many actors are not creative. They just go on set to act what is in the script without spicing it up. There must be extra home work if you want to be different. The crowd does not pay anybody; when they count you, they count others. But when they single you out before counting others it’s a very big advantage.

That’s the edge you have over every other actor. I create the inspiration from my encyclopedia. It comes in many ways, but also,it must be there in every movie. I have done about 950 productions since 1981 till date. I doubt if any actor in Africa as well as the world over has such a record. I have been consistent in my acting career since 1981 and I’m not getting tired. Today, I have the highest awards in Africa about 57 awards and it’s still counting. The second person has not received up to 20 awards. You said, it was as a result of your use of slang or phrases that BBC recreated an Igbo language programme!Yes, BBC and StarTimes.

There camera time when the Igbo language was yet to contribute to their programmes. There was Hausa programmeas well as Yoruba programme. But I inspired them to create an Igbo language programme. The language slang I introduced in movies started many years ago. Recall that I played the role of Aniikwu in “Things Fall Apart”, the famous NTA network drama. The character was one of the fathers-in-law of the lead character Okonkwo. I was also in the soap opera, “Ripples” produced by Zeb Ejiro, where I played the role of Chief Abunna.

It was this character I played with dexterity that fascinated Kenneth Nnebue of NEK Video Links as he sent for me to come and conduct the audition for that foremost movie, “Living in Bondage” in 1992. He said to me that he had a desire for Igbo movies but he didn’t know who were the Igbo actors. Unfortunately, I didn’t star in the movie because Nnebue at that time travelled to Japan to purchase a Super VHF as against the format that we were using to shoot movies back then. He over stayed in Japan. We expected him back in three days as he promised, but he couldn’t return after two weeks. Having waited endlessly for his return, I travelled to the village to see my parents after over two years in Lagos. So, when he returned from Japan, he came looking for me, where I was squatting in Itire. But he didn’t see me. So, the role he was reserving for me, Chief Omego was given to Kanayo .O. Kanayo. That was how I didn’t star in “Living in Bondage.” But thereafter, we did other blockbuster movies like “ Tabo’ , where I played Ichie Ogwu. It was a very popular character and I starred alongside late Sam Loco. It was in ‘ Tabo’ that I started using the cliché that has become my signature.

Nollywood Actor, Ojopagogo Opens Own Online TV Station

Popular veteran Yoruba movie actor, Razaq Olayiwola aka Ojopagogo has floated his own TV channel.It is an online Television and it is called Ojopagogo TV on YouTube.

The channel started operation a few months ago in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The purpose of the TV channel according to an insider, is to further show case his old and new flicks, musical videos, events,documentaries and other related contentsfrom the industry.

Nollywood actor, Saka celebrates his 15th wedding anniversary with an emotional post - Hafiz Oyetoro

Nigerian comic actor, Saka celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary yesterday and his emotions was all out in the post he penned down on Instagram as he took a walk down the memory lane.

Sakawho recounted how a lady he proposed to calculated his worth and gave him some conditions before marriage, said;‘I thought I had a pretty good idea of what a woman is. But when it was time for me to find my own woman, it dawned on me that a woman is not a man.

In my search, I came acrossa lady who was edging me on, makingme to belief she loved“me”. Well, I decided to propose. She had listened quietly with encouraging countenance on her face. I went on to fantasy on how our “coming together” would be the best thing that could happen to us.

Then… “Are you sure you are ready?” “YES” I answered. “Where is your car?” “I will get one soon.” “If eventually you are able to get a car God knows when, wont you go to work with the car?” I noded proudly “So when I get married to YOU I Will be jumping on public buses” I read her lips.

She had simply told me that I have to offer Me+ 2 cars at least before she could say “yes” I needed no Imam to tell me she wasn’t my wife. I decided to face my career and leave “woman palava” until I met this woman whomy mind told me had been searching for me.

After “toasting” her we became friends. My brotherly friend Gbenga Windapo was the Gardner who kept watering the flower of the friendship. One day a voice came “Hafiz Mumu you no go propose abi na when Jesus come back you go do am” So I proposed. She was silent for some minutes.I thought I saw her looking me over! Ye! This one too was calculating my worth. My God! What will this one ask? Then… “YES!” I had thought it was a voice in me that spoke in such audible voice. But the assurance on her gentle beautiful face assured me I had heard her voice and I heard her right.

She never asked what I could offer before she could agree to be my wife. I remembered then I was living in a “room and parlour” portion in a civilian barrack where we used general toilet and kitchen. This woman stood by me. She has never wavered in helping me achieve my dream, our dream our future! She had taught me what womanhood is.

A woman is a divine catalyst for achieving future dreams.This day May 24th 15 years ago Olaide said YES and became Mrs Oyetoro my darling wife; OLOMI ATATA.

May ALLAH grant us the grace to witness many years alive in excellent health and HIS divine favour. … IT IS WELL’ Saka wrote.

Popular Actor, Odunlade Adekola says he worked hard for his UNILAG certificate

Popular actor, Odunlade Adekola, has addressed reports stating he was an absentee and bought certificate while studying at University of Lagos.

Speaking with Punch on why he went back to school and his experience, the actor stated that he had to humble himself to learn despite his celebrity status.

According to him, contrary to reports, he participated in lectures, assignments and did not buy his certificate.

“Being in school was a really thrilling experience for me. I was humbled in the sense that I had to attend classes, do assignments, sit for exams and carry out other academic activities”, he said.
“I had a good relationship with all the lecturers that taught me and the students too. There was nothing like celebrity status.

“As long as we were in the classroom together, we were all one in our quest for knowledge. One should never get tired of seeking knowledge because the world is dynamic and ever-changing,” he said.

“I attended classes regularly and I did everything I was required to do. My course mates can testify. I was not a stranger to any of my course mates because I usually attended classes.

“I was the one who made the decision to go to school. I knew what it entailed and I was ready to adhere to the rules. I can tell you that I worked hard not otherwise for my certificate.”

I grew up in the slums of Ibadan and had my university education 13 years after leaving secondary school - Muyiwa Ademola reflects on life at 47

Nollywood actor, Muyiwa Ademola celebrates his 47th birthday today and he's taken time out to reflect on his life and small beginnings.

According to the award winning actor and movie producer, 'a superlative birthday shout out to me. I'm a definition of grace. I was born into a very humble family. My father never owned a motorcycle let alone car. My father never bought a TV not until after my secondary school.

I grew up in one of the"slumest" slums in Ibadan. No electricity for several years,I had to make use of "kuufin" (local lamp) while reading for my SSCE (We had only one lantern which no one dare touch). I had my university education 13 years after my secondary school, yet I'm being celebrated in this manner. 
What else can I say than to keep appreciating my CREATOR? THANK YOU FATHER FOR ALLOWING ME WITNESS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL YEAR'.

How Kunle Afolayan gave me my major movie earning came after over 40 years of acting (Read More)

Aderupoko Comic actor, Kayode Olaiya, popularly known as Aderupoko, started his acting career 50 years ago.

He shares some of his life experiences with OLUFEMI ATOYEBI and ADEMOLA OLONILUA.

How come you have so many aliases? - My real name is Kayode Olaiya, but I’m popularly known as Aderupoko.

Some people started calling me Baba Jenifa after my role as Jenifa’s father in Funke Akindele’s comedy series, Jenifa’s Diary. Also, in the movie, October 1 by Kunle Afolayan, I played the role of Sgt. Afonja and since then; some people have taken to that name as well.

When did you decide to become an actor? - My acting career started when I was invited to be the anchor of a storytelling programme on the Western Nigerian Television/Western Nigerian broadcasting service in 1966. During that period, every programme aired on the television was live and there was nothing like a recorded programme.

One day, my friends and I went to the Government House to fetch firewood and also pluck some mangoes. On our way back, someone working for the television station called out to us but we ran away because we thought the person wanted to flog us for plucking mangoes without permission. As we were running away, the man shouted that he was not interested in beating us. He said he wanted us to come on air to tell African folklore since we were pupils.

Immediately, I went to meet him and told him that we were interested in the proposal since it was something we did for fun, especially at twilight. I was then tasked with inviting some of my schoolmates to the programme, but we had to sneak into the television station because of our parents, who were unaware of the gig.

Didn’t your parents see you on TV while presenting the programme? - Although we appeared on air, only a few people had television sets back then and our parents did not have TVs. Whenever we wanted to watch television, we had to go to a neighbour’s house.

What actually enticed us to be part of the programme were the soft drinks they gave to us, which were a luxury we only afforded during festive seasons. And even then, we had to share a bottle of soft drink among ourselves. We were instructed to wear traditional attire while coming on the show and as the host; I was told to wear a cap since I was the one telling the tales.

That was how I began my career and from there, I began to learn about stage play as well. Before the programme was aired in the evening, we had to have rehearsals with our producers in the morning. In the afternoon, we had camera rehearsal and by 4 pm, they would transmit the live programme. All this time, I was still in primary school but I was able to anchor the programme for about three years. And during this period, I met some other great actors like the late Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Oyin Adejobi, at the television station. I noticed that their plays were different from the storytelling programme which I did. Theirs were more like the school play we had and this made me develop an interest in joining them but they were not based in Ibadan. When I got into secondary school, I continued with drama and later joined the Edunkunle Travelling Theatre.

We (the group) toured various schools to entertain pupils. I stayed with Edunkunle for about three years before Ola Omonitan (popularly known as Ajimajasan) spotted me at one of our rehearsals and was fascinated by my drumming skills. He asked Edunkunle to allow me to join his group for one performance and he agreed. That was how I joined Omonitan because I never went back to Edunkunle .When I was with Omonitan, I was tasked with designing costumes because, after my secondary school education, I learnt fashion designing. I had a shop and about eight apprentices working for me. I combined both theatre and fashion designing but it got to a point when I had to close my shop because the theatre was taking too much of my time. There were times when we travelled and didn’t return home for over two months.

I lost my father when I was quite young so it was my mother who sponsored my education till I finished secondary school. So, she was quite upset that I closed down my shop. I would have continued my education but there was no money, so I had to learn fashion designing. My mother was not angry that I was in the theatre because I was earning enough money to give her and also feed my younger ones. This made her believe that I had a bright future in the field.

Some people actually believe your real name is Aderupoko, how did you get that stage name?In the early stage of my career, when I wasstill with Omonitan, I was called Araga on stage. The name Araga was derived from a character that acted like a dummy. Aside from being an actor, I was also the stage manager and whenever we embarked on tours around the country, I arranged our costumes in the truck.

When we started our profession, we used lorries to convey our costumes and props but as time went on, lorries were no longer in vogue so, we advanced and bought a bus, which was more modern. Although it was more attractive than the lorry, it was not as rugged as the lorry. Whenever we got to a steep road, the vehicle laboured up the road. Most times, I was the designated driver so whenever that happened, my group members accused me of overloading the bus. They claimed that I wanted to ‘kill’ the bus.

So whenever we got to the venue of our performance and they needed to call me; instead of using the stage name, Araga, they opted for Aderupoko, which means ‘one who wants to kill the vehicle with excess luggage’. Initially, I did not like it and I was always angry whenever I was called by the name. And when they noticed that I did not like, they continued to call me by the name. But after a while, I just stopped getting angry. That was how the name stuck. How did your father’s death affect your life?I have never known the value of a father in my life because I was very young when my father died. I don’t think I can even remember his face, so I don’t even know the role of a father in a child’s life. That is why I love my mother a lot.

How did you meet Papalolo (Ayo Ogunsina) and Jacob (Tajudeen Gbadamosi)? - The three of you were popular as a group. We met at Omonitan’s theatre group. Jacob joined the group about three months before I did so he was my senior. Then after about two years, Papalolo joined us. That was where we started comedy. Prior to joining the group, I was involved in only serious drama. Back then, Baba Sala (Moses Olaiya) was the only one that did comic plays, especially on TV and whenever he went on tour, there would not be any comedy plays on TV for that period. So, the station decided to have an audition for theatre groups to show their comic side.

Omonitan’s theatre group emerged first in the audition and what stood us out was the fact that Baba Sala’s comedy revolved around his character alone. His character was the only funny person in his play, whereas, in ours, every one of us was funny. Our storyline also had a message. That was how we started comedy . After years of being with Omonitan’s theatre group, Jacob, Papalolo and I formed our own theatre group, called, ‘Jesters International.

’How would you describe your relationship with them? - They were my co-workers but Jacob is dead now. We understood ourselves very well. We started the group in 1980 but in 1987, Jacob died. We travelled everywhere together. Two years after his death, Papalolo decided to quit acting but returned many years after trying out other ventures. We all work independently now but if there is a need to have a joint project, we do it together. How did Jacob’s death affect the group?There is every possibility that the group would have still been together if he had not died. I had never been in a three-man business before working with them but after that, I decided I would not engage in such again. His death was very painful because normally, most groups split due to issues relating to money or women; butin our case, it was death that split us. The audience was used to seeing the three of us on stage, so after his death, our fan base shrank because there were people that loved Jacob as a person and were his fan because of that. If I had not developed my talents, I probably would have been out of business by now. That is why I prefer a one-man business.

How would you describe your relationship with King Sunny Ade? - He is my elder brother and friend. You know, he started out as an actor with BabaSala before he ventured into music. It was while he was an actor that we were close friends. In 1976, he travelled to London and saw as some actors entertained the audience during the interlude of a singer's performance while the singer was able to use the few minutes to catch his breath and relax. When King Sunny Ade returned to Nigeria, he asked us if we could do the same thing for him but our boss was quite reluctant. However, he later agreed. Meanwhile, we also used to record some comic songs at Yinka Esho Recording Studio, which was the same place where Sunny Ade did most of his recordings.

Sunny Ade was the one that introduced us as his side attraction during his concerts. Whenever they paid Sunny Ade to perform at a show, he would give our boss some money to allow us to perform at the event.

We felt that such a stage would not be ideal for plays, so we decided to remake some of Sunny Ade’s song into comic music. We made wooden instruments and formed a mock band. The audience loved us a lot and even Sunny Ade was surprised by our creativity. It was really fun. Even though it was our boss that he was paying to , we did not mind because we enjoyed the job. And besides, we did not have any serious responsibility. Before long, we began to gain recognition; that was how we became close to Sunny Ade. He gave us access to the elite class of the society and also permitted us to use his stage.

Are you still a tailor? - Yes, I am. I sew all my clothes. I also sew for my family and friends but I don’t sew for commercial purpose.

Do you have any regrets acting for over 50years? - I don’t have any regrets. I would not say that I am wealthy but I have peace of mind and that is very important in the world we live in today. The love people show me does not even leave room for regrets. If you see me driving a car, it is someone who gave it to me and not the job that provided it for me. This job is meant to be self-sufficient but the pirates have been cruel to us. Sometimes, we take loans from a bank to shoot a movie but before the movie is out, pirates would have released it and we end up running at a loss.

It is really affecting the creative mind. Our government should please do something about this problem because we are living at the mercy of our fans. But your fame must have translated to fortune for you. No, it has not. I am just popular, but there is no money. Even the musicians are luckier than actors. They sell their records and equally have the opportunity of performing for a fee. When musicians go for shows, they can easily tip street urchins who ask them for money because they must have been sprayed some money during their performance.

But the same cannot be said about us because we don’t make money, no thanks to pirates. Even when you give these boys some money, they get angry and say it is too little.

Is it true that you completed your house with the money you got from Kunle Afolayan’s movie, October 1? - I had finished my house before I featured in the movie. However, Kunle Afolayan is agood person. He is a very straightforward person. His movie was very demanding and I had to keep my hair for more than a year without having a haircut to fit the role of a police officer from the colonial era.

All through the period that I kept my hair, he was always paying for its treatment and urged me not to cut it. It was not convenient for me but it was worth it. We were on the movie location for about two months and he treated us very well. He is the one that has paid me the highest amount of money I have ever received in my career which means that my major movie earning came after over 40 years of acting.

Another Nollywood actor, David Nwajei (Devosky) is dead

David Nwajei, also known as Davosky is dead.

The Nollywood actor’s friends, Brumen John, Dona Power, among other took to social media shared the news.

While the news of his death spread on Friday, he died on Wednesday, November 15th after a brief illness.
His friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to him. He is best known for his 2014 Surrealist short film ‘Unreal Exile’ (2014).

He was a producer, writer and director who has worked in the film industry for over 15 years. He was born in 1975 in Benin City, Nigeria, and has since, moved on to live in Europe.

RIP!

Bolaji Amusan aka Mr. Latin gains admission into NOUN

Yoruba Nollywood actor Bolaji Amusan popularly known as Mr. Latin, is headed to school.

The comic actor just gained admission into National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, to further his education, 20 years after he left secondary school.

Mr. Latin, according to reports is studying Business and Conflict Resolution and he is currently in his sophomore year.