Kindly tell us all you can about yourself and what you do for a living?

I am a young Actor, Film Maker, model and Host but mostly an Actor and a Film Maker.

I’ve starred in a couple of movies, series and short films and I also run a Media Production outfit called House of Baaj Pictures. We received a Zafaa award for best short film in 2015 for the film “Seeing Betrayal” which is free to watch on YouTube as well and currently working on filming a series. As a person I’m pretty much a simple guy, I love to work, I love my work and I love preparing to work When I’m not working, I love sports, adventure, travelling and most of all, I love watching movies, cartoons, anime and TV series.

ON HIS PERSONALITY

What was your childhood dream and what was life like growing up?

I had a bunch of childhood dreams. I wanted to be a lot of things growing up so I did a lot dabbling. Wanted to be a scientist then a computer engineer, then a basketball player, then an actor, then artist, then a musician and so on and so forth but in all I just wanted to be the best of me. My life growing up was pretty simple, I was raised in a comfortable loving family. I didn’t have everything in the world but I had everything I needed.

Did you face a notable challenge while growing up, who did that influence your personality?

I did, just like everyone else. Apart from the usual travails of finding yourself, maturing and learning to grow, I am from a polygamous family so to speak. Also my parents later split up when I was a teenager which was pretty hard for me at the time, watching a family fall apart but we’ve all come a long way from there and moved on and up, together. Grown to be quiet headstrong and self-reliant in most aspects of my life.

I know you’re a man with many passions. What influenced your career in acting?

Like a lot of young ones I was quite addicted to television. Even though my Dad banned me from watching it and I’d get in trouble for disobeying but it still didn’t stop me. I would spend a lot of time watching movies, cartoons and series that sometimes I wouldn’t even fully understand but I didn’t care. I would see the beauty of these creations and constantly marvel at them. Even though it took a really long time to finally gather the courage to go for it, the seed had been planted really early and it was just a matter of time.

Has it been easy being an actor in Nollywood, what difficulties did you have to contend with?

Nothing in life is ever easy and in Nigeria everything is always hard. It just always feels like everything and anything is working against you. More so in Nollywood. The first issue was believing enough in myself and in my dream to actually go for it then getting support from my family as well which didn’t come easy at all. I worked 9-5 for about 2yrs after leaving school before deciding to go into entertainment fully which was a very risky move. My Mum especially was scared for me but she has always been a woman of faith and has always believed in whatever I choose to set my mind to so she had my back, awesome woman. Started out going for numerous auditions, I’m saying close to a dozen or more a month for about the first 3years of my career. Whilst doing that I focused on improving myself as an actor and as a person. Constantly learning, researching, rehearsing, developing new skills and reinventing myself.

If you could acquire a special skill or power right now, what will it be?

I would really love to be able to play number of musical instruments and speak a lot of languages. Music is just too wonderful and being able to create it is magical to me. Being able to meet and converse with different people with different backgrounds from all around the world would be heaven to me. It’ll feel like an endless exciting adventure. And for Powers, I would love

If you could influence a drastic change in the world, what would you do?

I am very much against the permanent ideologies of the world which are tied to culture, tradition, religion and social beliefs. A lot of unwritten and written laws placed on our lives controlling the way we are expected to live and exist are either outdated, wrong or just an unfair form of control. If I could influence the world which I believe I already am, I’d push for us to live our lives the way that makes us happy as individuals, It wouldn’t cause anyone any harm as it will only promotes the well-being of the planet and people that live in it. Rather than the beliefs and wants of the people in authority or power and that of some ancient civilization’s culture, religion or school of thought.

What do you think is unique about our country, Nigeria?

As a country we have so many resources both in terms of labour and product. We Nigerians are like water and rock at the same time. We can reshape and adapt ourselves to any situation to ensure our survival and we can be dogged as well in not wanting to give up on ourselves. Unfortunately this is also our flaw. The fact that we seem to be able to thrive in the most adverse of conditions has made us not fight for our rights and fight against those who have unjustly taking advantage of us. We are unique because we are so powerful but we knowingly or unknowingly choose to be be weak, gullible and ignorant.

If you had the opportunity to inspire someone with a story from your life’s experience, what would that story be?

A friend of mine had me meet with a young new actor to help him out. I did the best I could. A couple of weeks later he called me up and asked me “What kept you going?”. I had never really been asked that before at the time and never actually thought about it. When I think back to the number of “Nos” and how it looked very unlikely that anything would give, I wondered, what did keep me going!? So I answered him like I was answering myself, “I just wanted to Act”, and he understood. What I am trying to say is, you have just one life and you have a dream or dreams. The obstacles and disappointments and all will always be there. But what should most importantly be on you mind (and this should never leave you mind and your heart) is WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE? That’s honestly all that matters. Because if you’ve really decided that this is what you want to do, then you can and must spend your life chasing it. Endeavour to achieve it no matter what because there’s nothing else worth doing.

How much effort have you had to put into advancing and developing your career as an actor?

I’ve had to put a whole lot. Starting out, all I had was the passion and the zeal to want to be an Actor and Film maker. I wasn’t particularly even good at it. So I thought to join a film school but I didn’t have enough money at the time. I knew no one in the industry and I didn’t have any personal or family ties to any influential Nollywood figure either. So I knew I was starting from the very bottom but I also knew there’s no where else to go but up. So I began studying off the internet particularly YouTube and also learning from any actor or director I’d meet or work with. Also making connections of my own through the industry. I focused on improving every day, on every project, with every role because I had a very big dream and each time I learnt something new I felt like I had taken one more step to achieving it.

ON HIS CAREER

Kindly give us a list of some of the movies you’ve done.

To name a few A Soldier Story, Road to Yesterday, Four Crooks and a Rookie, 5ive, The Governor, Seeing Betrayal, Studio, Hush, etc. and a number of movies and series yet to be released.

What has been your most gratifying role as an actor? Please give reasons.

At the moment I’d have to say playing Adze Tsenogu on Hush. It was my first time playing a particular character for such a long time as we filmed Hush for about a year. And of all my projects he’s the character the fans have gravitated to the most. He has really had an impact on a lot of people’s lives which in turn has had an impact on mine.

I know it sometimes can be tough, what’s inspires you to go the extra mile and not give up?

It’s a combination of what I’m trying to achieve, which my dreams are and what I want to do. Like I said before I JUST WANT TO ACT. As simple as that may be it is a bit complex and deep. It’s really all I want to do (so to speak), thus I’d most of the time do anything for it and go any mile to achieve it.

What does it take to be a good and prolific actor like you?

What sets you apart from the rest?

I’d say a lot of the same things that would make one good in any field also applies to acting. The amount of love, hard work, dedication, research, humble learning and development you give to your career or any endeavour goes a long way in ensuring that you excel in it. And I have and still practise all of that every day for every role. You can learn from everything and anything. From the way you live your everyday life, to your friends or a stranger on the street. Learn from watching movies both domestic and international. Learn by asking questions and finding answers. Learn from practice and rehearsals. It’s always an ongoing process to try to be better than the “you” of yesterday.

My approach to acting and to playing characters is to make the character, his story, objectives, motivations, flaws, virtues and relationships be as real to me as possible. So I try my best to soak myself in the characters reality and in the world of the movie. This helps me not to act as the character but to be me in the character and for the character to exist through me. The audience want to believe what they’re seeing, they want to be deceived but not necessarily fooled. Thus if you can in one way or the other successfully make it real to you then it’ll be real to them and that’s where you start to witness good acting and in a way no acting at all.

What words of advice would you give to an up and coming actor?

First try to get a firm hold on why you want to be an actor. This will really help you when things aren’t going to well and you want to give up. Your reason doesn’t have to be the same as mine, what is important is that you have a good and strong reason, whatever it maybe. Then focus on improving yourself, maybe by attending a film school or self-educating. Its very important you stay humble and make friends and have colleagues in the industry so they can tell you when and where acting opportunities may be. As for the journey itself, it never gets easier, you’re just going to have to get stronger every day.

You played “ADZE” in the just concluded Africa magic Telenovela – HUSH, how different are you from the character you portrayed.

My personality now and that of Adze’s are quite different. Adze is a romantic, impulsive and openly passionate person. A very optimistic trusting and loving character. I on the other hand, I’m quite closed emotionally and a little cynical but I do try to be as optimistic as I can. I tend to ask a lot “Y”s and don’t trust too much of anything or anyone. But to play the character convincingly I had to throw all that aside and channel the childhood or teenage version of myself.

If Nollywood made a movie about your life, who would you pick to play your character?

That’s a tough one, not sure any actor would want to though, I just don’t think it’ll be that much fun you know, unless some really good embellishing is done. But if it was to be made and they aren’t too particular about ethnicity it’ll be nice if they could get John Boyega. Plus I’m fan so that’d be cool. Also Shia Lebeouf too would be great.

Have you ever felt intimidated by another actor?

If YES, how did you deal with it?

Oh yes, especially when I was starting out. As a new actor that tends to happen a lot, being green and nervous and all. But even after you’ve established yourself it still does. Especially when acting with people you practically grew up watching. I’ve been privileged to work with some of the biggest actors in Nigeria’s history and it’s always treat. But after a few minutes of rehearsals or running lines the intimidation fades away as who we are as individuals becomes a distant memory and who the characters are completely takes over.

What’s the one thing no one knows about you?

The same thing I’d not say here. Just kidding, I guess I could spill a little. I am actually an extremely private person even with being an actor and I still try to maintain that.

ON FAMILY/ Relationships

Do you have siblings?

Yes I do, I am the last of nine from different marriages but still more or less one family.

Why are you not married?

When you chose to in a way legally and socially tie your existence to another person’s, you do not and must not rush into such. That said, I am not yet married because I do not want to be married. At least not at the moment.

What’s does marriage mean to you?

Honestly I am yet too fully grasp its meaning and even it’s relevance when looking at it without adding the legal, religious, cultural and social ideologies. So at the moment I see it as asking the world permission to be together. Maybe my point of view of the matter will change when I’m exposed to more unbiased information.

Has being famous affected your relationships in anyway?

Not at all to my surprise. I did assume it would but it actually hasn’t. This is probably because even prior to fame I always kept my personal life private. So the injection of fame still hasn’t had much of an effect on it cause we knew the fame was coming and we are very comfortable with it and do very well in keeping the details of the relationship private.

What’s your idea of a good wife?

I guess first the usual expectations; a brilliant, supportive, understanding, patient person with a great and responsible personality.

You have to understand that a spouse is an extension of one’s self thus a good wife would and should reflect a good me/you as well. So my idea of a good wife is a someone who is you, is a part of you, is with you, is for you, is in you, will be you and vice versa.

Do you sometimes wish you were not famous, if not why so?

Yes I do sometimes. Fame has a way of interfering with the work. Which as an actor is inevitable because they practically go hand in hand especially in Nollywood. Talent can only go so far, your level of fame tends to dictate the sort of projects you get to do, it’s unfortunate but that’s how things are. Fame has a way of corrupting the purity of the art so one has to be careful of it and sometimes I wish I didn’t have to worry about it.

ON Lighter Note

(Kindly answer in one sentence)

What’s your favourite Nigerian meal?

Pounded Yam and pretty much any soup especially South-South soups, they’re awesome! I do enjoy fried sweet potatoes with well-done tomato and pepper sauce too. But Pounded yam is King. But my usual delicacy is my old fashioned Ewa Agoyin and Agege bread, I probably take it like five times a week. Been that way since I was very little.

How often do you go to your home town?

Not often, especially compared to when I was little. More or less once or twice a year I think. No particular reason why I don’t go often but I am hoping someday I’d get the chance to film there. It’ll really feel good to do a movie there.

What do you do for relaxation?

I love to kick back with good food, a soft drink or juice and most importantly watch a good movie, cartoon, anime or series. It’s my No 1 remedy to almost anything.

What do you consider as the peak of your life’s achievement?

I’d say it was a nostalgic experience. While filming on location, a family came to meet us. Apparently they were big fans – The father and his 3 kids. Then there was his little son, and I looked at him and saw myself. He was star struck but ironically I too was star struck as well because years ago when I was his age or so, I also stumbled on a movie set, and I got to see actors in real life do what I see them do on TV. That’s probably where the first acting seed was planted who knows. Anyway, now it’s happening again, just I’m not the little kid this time. And it felt really special to me.

Who would you really prefer Vina or Tise?

I’m not even sure what you’re asking here, you’re a trouble maker.

Are you asking who Adze would prefer between Vina and Tise or who does Baaj prefer between the actors Uche and Tana who play them. Well I’ll answer both, Adze obviously prefers Vina, I on the other hand is a big fan of both them. Both beautiful, talented and lovely women. Every day on set with them was treat. But I guess I’d be inclined to say Uche, cause she I spent more time with.

Who do you long to collaborate with in a movie?

Not known to a lots of people but I have a bucket list of Nigerian Actors I hope to work with namely Pete Edochie, Sam Loko (Rest in Peace Sir), Liz Benson, Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva and RMD. I also hope to one day work with Akin Omotosho, he’s an exceptional film maker. And internationally, the list of actors and directors I hope to someday work with is endless.

Photography by Ellis Mbeku for EMSTUDIOSng