Entertainment

Nollywood Is Paying My Bills – Odunlade Adekola

Odunlade AdekolaHandsome, tall role interpreter, Odun Adekola, has been able to win the hearts of many Yoruba movie fans both in Nigeria and beyond. He has overtly proven his mettle to become a force to reckon with in Nollywood. The thespian launched a unisex beauty shop in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Recently, he spoke with ORUKPE NELSON about his new enterprise, and other sundry issues. Excerpts:

Why did you open D3 Executive Concept?

Glory be to God Almighty. To be sincere, a lot of good plans get onto one’s mind but it takes God’s mercy and favour to make dreams come true.

D3 Executive Concept is just one of the many things I want to do but I’m just being careful in exploring my entrepreneurial potential as I should not put too many sticks into the fire at a go.

I launched D3 as my own way of generating employment for young and hardworking people in my community. As at the day of the opening, we had 12 people on board, so that means we are reaching 12 households and as such, it keeps getting a multiplier effect on the society as a whole.

Celebrities stormed the launch of D3 and it turned out to be an elaborate outing, was that your original plan?

Well, no! My personality has been known over the years as a person who doesn’t like noise or doing things elaborately. Many of our guests at the event are here through the word of mouth. I also sent BBM broadcast messages, and people turned out through that alone. I appreciate the presence of Mr. Latin, Madam Shaje, Kemi Afolabi, my parents and most especially, my darling wife. My family has been so supportive.

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What makes D3 Executive Concept unique?

A lot of things are unique about D3. I can emphatically say we have modernised the way it used to be done. I’m not saying those before us are doing things badly, but we are here to make it better. Our driving force is to make anyone who visits our lounge ‘Look Better.’

Are you leaving acting for business?

I swear to God, I love my acting job as much as I love myself and I will still continue to pray to God to keep pushing me up in my career as an actor. Nollywood is paying me well, so I have no reason to leave the industry. I’m only expanding my frontiers and supporting the government in creating more wealth and making the society better in my little way.

Apart from movies and D3 Concept, what’s the next stop for you?

It is only when it is set that we’d disclose it. As soon as it is coming out, people will know.

Your admission into UNILAG last year was pleasantly shocking. How did you summon the courage to return to the classroom given your job schedule?

Knowledge is endless. We keep seeking for it. I discovered there was a need for me to upgrade my personality and also being educated is so important in a society like ours, so I had to fall in line with what is dictated. I’m happy to be back in school and I must say I’m becoming better and well informed by the day.

Your colleague, Kunle Afolayan’s movie, October 1, suffered a major blow from piracy. How do you think this can be curbed?

It’s painful. I must say this piracy can be tamed solely by two factors. Firstly, the government needs to battle this scourge more decisively. We need a major clampdown on their operational bases.

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Pirates aren’t from heaven, so they are people like us so we can reach and penetrate their ways. Then we need our fans and friends to be re-orientated. They should always buy the original copies.

They themselves know the original ones from the pirated copies. No one produces five movies in one CD and sells for N100. They should remember we have people to care for and ideas to bring to life through acting.

Our craft should feed us and our families. It is wrong for some people to be in a corner and be feeding on our sweat. The piracy menace is eating so deep into us and we all should support the death of the vice.

In the last general elections, you openly supported the All Progressives Congress with the likes of Pasuma, Desmond Elliot and co. Will you rather become a politician someday?

I can’t say anything for now. Working for any politician is all about choice. My closeness with Desmond Elliot also played its part. We got each other’s back over time. You know when you like someone, you just follow what they do and love them.

Ironically, at times you may not even know much about the person. I supported those who I believe can do it. I love Desmond and my daddy, Alh. Lai Mohammed, because he is articulate and he’s also in the APC. Politics happens everywhere but for now, I can’t say if I will join politics or not.

Is it true there’s an unbridled rivalry between you and Mr. Latin?

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People that started this rumour did so because they wanted to put food on their table and they decided to do it with my name. Mr. Latin is my boss and has been so supportive since I started in the industry. He is a brother and we talk a lot on the telephone. The only time I ever travelled to Austria, he was the one that facilitated it.

You mean the Globacom endorsement deal didn’t pitch you against him?

Before they contacted him, I was the first person they called. They asked me to help them contact him and that was all. When they called me, I immediately called him and said, “Oga, Glo called me and asked for your number.” When they wanted to sign the deal, he told me and he has been with them since. So there is no such thing between us.

Are there reasons to keep appreciating fans even when some spread cruel rumours about your person?

I keep appreciating them because if one is working and no one is appreciating it, it makes it obvious that one is empty. I’d keep telling them to always call my attention to anything they are not comfortable with in me so I can make amends and get better. They should support us with prayers too as no one is infallible. We are all humans and we are not perfect.