"People attempted to abort my pregnancy for me flaunted it anywhere and everywhere"- Bisi Ibidapo Obe

Bisi Ibidapo –Obe is a Yoruba actress who has come a long way in the movie industry.
She became a household name when she featured in a movie entitled: “Bisi Omologba Logba” from where she derived her nickname. In this interview with AJIBADE ALABI,she speaks on issues bordering on the movie industry and other personal issues. Excerpts:

You are now a mother. How do you feel?
In fact, this is the greatest thing to have happened to me. I am exceedingly happy to be a mother. I am so grateful to God that He has counted me among mothers. This is what I have wished for all my life. Motherhood is sweet.

You will agree with me that the beginning of your pregnancy was full of scandals as the man you said was the father of your child refused to accept it. Tell us without mincing words how you feel.
It was shocking and I felt bad, but during that period, I didn’t allow it to worry me too much. My primary aim then was to have a safe delivery and to God’s glory, I was able to have that. The scandal was too much then, but I didn’t allow it to affect me.

When the supposed father rejected the pregnancy, did you feel like aborting it?
Never! I rebuke that in Jesus’ name. This was what I had craved for. This is what many rich men and women cannot afford to buy and I got it on a platter of gold. I didn’t think about that. I know it is a gift from God. Why should I remove it? You needed to see me then. I flaunted it anywhere and everywhere. Although, attempt was made by some people to get it terminated but the God that I worship did not allow this to happen.

Who are those people?
I wouldn’t want to talk about it. I was attacked physically and spiritually, but thank God, He proved Himself to them.

Right now the baby is here. What is the relationship between you and Melaye?
Relationship? Seriously, I wouldn’t want to talk about it. What is more important is that the baby is alive and I pray to God to give me long life to take good care of her. As I said earlier, she is a gift from God.

Okay, we understand you don’t want to talk about her father. Right now, you are the mother and the same time the father. What is your plan for her?
Every mother has very good plan for her child but I don’t think you expect me to start revealing that on the pages of newspaper. I have a good plan for her but this is between my God and myself, God has never disappointed me and I am sure He will not do that now; He has proved to me how mighty and wonderful He is.

When do we expect you back in the industry?
Very soon, very soon, you will see me back in the industry

Many negative stories were written about you in the past. Which one of them would you say hit you the most?
The one that was written sometime ago by one magazine that I slept with a waiter in a 5- Star hotel in the United States while I went there to see my boyfriend hit me the most because as at the time of the story, I was here in Lagos.
In fact, I hadn’t obtained my visa. So I wondered what was the source of that story. Even my boyfriend came to Nigeria to check my international passport, thinking that I came to the US without his knowledge.

Going back to the issue of the purported father of your child and with what you went through, do you still believe in love?
Why not? For the fact that a man once broke your heart does not mean that you should not pick up the pieces of your heart and move on with your life. And that doesn’t stop you from giving it to another man. But I need to be careful with the kind of man I open my heart to now.

Is Bisi still very romantic?
Very romantic and emotional.

What has the pregnancy issue taught you about life?
It has taught me that not everybody that calls you friend is really your friend. It has taught me to be wary of people. It has taught me that human beings could be so deceptive. I can go on and on.

Tell us about your growing up days, your background.
I was born here in Lagos, I am actually from Ondo State, but I was born in Surulere,Lagos. I went to both primary and secondary schools in Ikorodu, (Muslim Primary School and United Secondary School all in Ikorodu).

When did you start acting ?
Right from my primary school days, I always participated in anything entertainment. I fell in love with acting right from the school. I decided to take it up professionally after my education and since then, I have no regret.

For how long have you been acting as a professional?
That should be 21 years ago.

Who introduced you into acting?
May the soul of Bimpe Adekola (Ireti) rest in peace. She was the one that motivated me into acting. Whenever I watched her movies I always liked her performance, so I said to myself that I would love to be like that.
So, I went to see Gbenga Adewusi, who introduced me to Araosan, who later took me to Odunfa where I met Taiwo Hassan, Yinka Quadri and Abbey Lanre. I was so happy; it was like meeting Michael Jackson. They accepted me and I received my training under them.

How has it been since then?
It has been tough, rough and the same time full of fun. There has never been a job without its own challenges, but so far it has been fun and I have no regret at all. I went through series of challenges but it’s what I have passion for, and I don’t see myself doing any other thing except acting. The experience has been nice.

How many movies have you produced on your own?
I have produced just three movies, Oyin Ade, Omo Jesu and Igboran San.

But is it not surprising that in 21 years of your acting career you only produced just three films, whereas some who joined the industry long after you have produced more than that?
I didn’t start producing my own movies until 2004. If you know me very well, I am not that kind of person that jumps into movie production simply because others are into it.
I received a very good training and that is the reason I was able to come out with good films. I can’t be producing films every other day as my films gulp lots of money, unlike those who spend peanuts on their movies. I take my time to produce.

Talking about challenges, we understand that some producers often demand for sex before giving roles to girls. Did you experience this while growing up in the industry?
Sexual harassment is not peculiar to our industry; it is everywhere. But I tell you this; I did not experience it where I received my training. In Odunfa’s group, we had thorough professionals who had no time for such frivolities. But get me right, I am not saying they don’t ask ladies out but it is left to you to accept or not.
They will never force you, but they will never base your performance on that. I get my role on merit, not by sleeping around with producers.
However, I experienced this through some movie marketers who insisted that they must sleep with me before giving me money for production, but I called their bluffs.