It is interesting that you are a proprietress (of a school) while your hubby is an actor.
I had always known I would work with students. I once met someone who told me it would be good for me to own a school. So, I bought the idea, eve though it had been on my mind to do a school business. What even made it faster to establish was the fact that my husband was thinking of going into hotel business. So, when I now introduced the idea of the school to him, he dumped the hotel thing and embraced the school business. That is how I found myself in school business.
You must have done a lot to convince him to dump the hotel business?
It was not easy to convince him, but when I told him that instead of building an empire where people will just come and enjoy themselves and go, it would be better to have an empire where we can develop talents. And thank God, so far, it has been so good.
You have a mixed parentage. Could you tell us a little about your background?
My father is from Germany, while my mother is from Isoko, in Delta State, Nigeria. I studied English Language from the University of Lagos. I also have a PGD (postgraduate diploma) from UNILAG, and presently I am doing my Master’s (degree) in Educational Administration and Planning. I also have a Diploma in Theology from the Redeemed Christian Bible College.
How did you meet Emeka Ike?
I met him while I was going for a model job. I had just finished my school then and I was looking for something to get me busy. I met him at Tade Ogidan’s office; that was in 1999, when they were doing the shooting of 7to 12.
Did your parents object to you marrying an actor?
My parents were initially against our relationship; they believed actors are very promiscuous. But as time, went on, they warmed to him.
And thereafter?
Like the popular saying, the rest became history.
Your husband, Emeka, is reputed to be one of the lover boys of the Nigeria film industry. How do you cope, seeing ladies hanging around him?
From day one, it had been like that; and I am used to it. Even before I married him, he had been acting; so, I cannot stop the ladies flocking around him. But one thing is that I trust him; he would not go beyond… you know now.
So you are not moved seeing your husband kissing in films or playing romantic roles?
I am not moved because I know what they are doing is not real. The kiss, the romance, the love making – they are not real; they are just acting. So, I am not moved.
Why are you not into acting yourself?
I would have loved to, but both of us can’t be going to location every now and then. The attention on both of us would have been too much. That is why I ventured into another business.
Do you always watch Nigerian movies?
Yes I do watch them, but I don’t watch the English sector; I only watch the Yoruba films.
Why?
The English movies are too daring. I mean they are too raw and they don’t practice our culture. If you watch Yoruba movies, they preach what we see in churches, in streets, in the society. They teach morals. That is why I prefer the acting of yesteryear to what we have now. When the industry was estabilised I enjoyed it then; but now, they have tilted towards the Western culture too much. That is why I said I preferred Yoruba movies, because they focus more on what is happening in our homes, churches, mosques and society.
That means you understand and speak Yoruba very well?
I speak Yoruba fluently. Don’t forget I was born here in Lagos.
We’ve not been seeing your husband in films lately?
Yes, he has quitted acting. He may still be pressurised by colleagues and friends to appear in one scene or two, but the thing is he quitted acting two years ago. And I am very happy for him. I prayed for him to move to bigger and better ventures, so I am happy he has quitted. He now works as a producer or director.
I am sure you are happy now, since you will both have enough time to spend together?
I am happy, but it’s now we quarrel a lot.
Why?
Because he is always around; unlike before when he would always go out of town for location.
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