Empire Mates Entertainment sign-on and the nominee of Best Vocal Performance (Female) at the recent award ceremony, The Headies, Eniola Akinbo otherwise known as Niyola was interviewed by ORUKPE NELSON on the red carpet of the show. The sassy singer speaks about her career, romance and plans for 2015.
What are you expecting at this show tonight?
I’m here to be entertained and I’m looking forward to watch performances and see how people react when they’re being called upon and announced as winners. That aspect is intriguing for me because the fears, tears, laughter and the tension are worth observing.
You were nominated for Best Vocal Performance (Female), how do you feel?
I feel that as long as I’m nominated, I’m still a winner because it shows that I’ve done some thing pretty impressive to be singled out for that honour. I hoping I win The Headie really. Toh Bad, my song was nominated for the Video of the Year, but that’s for the director, Kemi Adetiba.
You celebrated your birthday recently, how did you spend it?
Yes, I did but it was just something on a low key. I spent it with my loved ones, I just had some food and drinks.
You and Banky W got intimate in one of your recent videos and prior to that, he has admitted some affection for you in an interview that went viral?
I’m not aware of that, he’s my boss and that’s it.
And if he proposes to you now,what will you say?
(Chuckles) I don’t know until he does.
What’s your ideal man like?
I don’t think there’s such thing as an ideal man. I just like a matured, very self-respecting, God-fearing and good looking man who is also intelligent enough to take me for who I am.
Do you have the man already?
No, I’m yet to have him.
That’s hard to believe given that you’ve been in Nigeria for a while, don’t you think?
I’m single now because I chose to.
How long would you like to remain single?
I don’t know, when I’m ready for a relationship, I will know and you will also know.
Is the storyline of Toh Bad your true life experience?
Well, I would say that in a way it is. I have felt love and I actually know what it feels being torn in between love for your job and the man you love. I also know that every woman at every point in time has been in a position where she has had to battle in the middle of such situation.
And that’s why you have to go back when you know that some one isn’t just good for you. You spent time to think, ‘oh, he’s just being a man, I can understand what he’s going through and all that.’
What are you going to be doing differently in 2015?
2015 is here already and hopefully, I’m going to drop an album and my fans are going to be seeing more songs, more videos, local and international collaboration in 2015. I cannot tell you exactly what it would be, but it would be 2015 definitely.
If you have not been doing music what will you be doing by now?
I honestly don’t know because I have many talents. I love writing, and to meet and inspire people. I’m just a happy-go-lucky girl, I get excited by little things in life, I don’t ask for too many things and I’m very simple.
Who actually styles you?
It depends, today I’m wearing April by Kunbi. Most of the time I style myself but occasionally I have people who style me.
It appears you’ve had butt enhancement?
How did you know the size of my butt? Have you ever seen my butt before? I have no answer please.
Do you think female artistes are now more appreciated in Nigeria?
Of course, you get appreciated for the good works you put out there.
What have been your challenges in the industry?
I can’t start to count because I take challenges well. I believe that for you to succeed, you must face challenges and at the point you’re sure you’ve overcome some, that’s when you’d know that you’re growing. It’s like when you are a seamstress, you want to sew and you get pricked by a needle, you’d not say that the problem you have is that you are hurt. It’s your job and you take everything that comes like that.
Do you see yourself quitting EME musical company any time soon?
No, I don’t see myself leaving, at least not at the moment.