Aquilla Njamah as he is fondly called by members of his family and friends is a force to reckon with when it comes to acing, directing and movie production. He knows his onions, has paid his dues and is leaving no stone unturned to remain relevant in the entertainment industry. The international award winner has warmed his way into the hearts of millions of film lovers home and abroad especially when he launched into the industry as a filmmaker with a hit movie ‘Blood Secrets’ and as they say; after that, the rest became history.

He spoke with Ojo Oluwakorede on his relationship with Linda Ikeja amongst other issues. Enjoy the excerpts…

Tell us about your brand   

Well, there is a catch word I have embraced in my life and that is simplicity. Some people just think that there is a façade because they cannot penetrate me, they start having problem, feeling that I am not a friendly person except you come close and personal with me that is when you will know who really I am. Most times, I try to separate the “Aquilla Njamah” from Aquilla; what I mean is by virtue of my work and the human being that I am like every other normal being. I might be going a different direction with my works, so do not always marry us together all the time, you know I might be telling a story through my work or get involved in a project for different reasons, but at times, it is even difficult for me to separate it, I only get involved in things I believe in.

Aquilla as an actor and director, how did it start?

I started professionally in 1987, featured on television programmes on NTA, I was on stage at the National Arts Theatre performing stadium workshop with Chuck Mike in 1994, I was on stage for Fela Okolo’s ‘Mekunu Melody’, did Lion and the Jewel with Churck Mike.

Well, I must say that I made that decision long time ago that it has to be entertainment because since then, I never looked back. I am not saying I didn’t go into other good things but entertainment is the major; I am into contracts, I am an entertainment consultant, so I am not closing doors to things I might like to diversify but ever since I started, it has been the journey.

What inspired you to choose this career?

Like when I was quite young and making up my mind on how I wanted to live my life, I wanted to be involved in something that could change the lives of other people, I can actually be messenger of change, I can be a doctor; making movies that actually heal people. So, basically, the decision was changing lives, for instance, I was one of the panel of judges of the just concluded Africa Plus Size Beauty Pageant and I got involved because of the campaign against fibroid and infertility that came up prior to the pageantry. I always want to be in the picture where I can contribute to humanity especially through my work.

There is no gain without pain, how has it been to get to this prominence? 

I am a diehard, when I started it was not all that rosy, I was swimming in the ocean with the sharks, the big names in the industry. At a point, I was the youngest filmmaker, it was almost coincidental that Jetta Amata and I shot our films simultaneously, so, I guess he faced the same challenges. It was a business for us to get contract but the first opportunity we had we gave it our all and ever since then, it has been like that because we have dreams and we were focused.

Tell us about your first project

In 2006, when Aquilla Njamah felt he had enough of work for others, he decided to actualize his dream of being a filmmaker. I shot ‘Blood Secret’, the whole period of making the film was two years. I remember how my casts and crew came together, dispersed and came together again for some period of time. I was indebted and locked up by one of my investors who believed I had misappropriated the money he gave to me and was not patient enough. But as fate would have it, after the film was released, my dreams started coming to reality.

Certainly, that made you a household name

Yes of course!

It seems like a family thing, the Njamahs when their names are mentioned, what is the secret? 

I will give that credit to John though it was my elder sister; Blessing that started as a stage performer but she did not continue, then John took it up from there and I followed suit though I started producing and directing long before John, Empress came into the picture much later.

How have you been able to keep the status despite all odds? 

Well, I think one trait that we all share is simplicity and that is it.

I need you to be more explicit with this your watchword ‘Simplicity’

We are real; you only have psychological problems when you try to be who you are not. I can go out to have drinks anywhere regardless of my status be it in the gathering with the ordinary people, it even avails me the opportunity of sharing life experiences with them, tell them the truth and encourage them. I am not afraid of paparazzi because I do not have anything to hide. I know some people just like to sell their stuff, so they create false stories about you and to them you cannot be good all the way, they just want you to see you messed up but they do nothing but junk; yes I call them junk!

Many of your fans are of the opinion that you will be walking down the aisle with Linda Ikeji any time, is that true?

Oh… come on, don’t be ridiculous; Linda and I are just friends, I cannot marry her. No disrespect. She is a nice girl one can take home to Mama, she is friendly, smart and warm but what we have is strictly a professional relationship. Just because we were both judges on the Swagger Island Reality Show should not crop up such speculation. As a matter of fact, I have a fiancée whom I will be getting married to soon, I do not think I should be talking about it now to the media but I would let you know when we fix the date for the wedding.

Don’t you think it is long overdue?

You know it is not a thing one should rush into, it is a lifetime business and it is sad when you find out that somebody loves you for the wrong reason and you start asking yourself if I was not the right person. More so, there was a time I said to myself just get married to your work, when it comes, it comes, it is never too late. When you want to talk about making children which of course is my major concern for now, I would really want to but having a child with someone you do not love is suicidal.           

Finally, what should Nollywood lovers expect from you?

I have been working on a lot of things, I like to take my time so that when I come out, it would be unique. But trust me, you guys should always expect the best and I will make sure that is what I give but now let’s keep our fingers crossed.