With a career in filmmaking spanning over four decades, Sir Obi Okoli, is not in any way making any move to slow down. He is doing what he loves doing best.
Having produced over 150, directed over 250, acted in over 400 and still counting, Okoli who is An Anglican Knight of St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral, Aba, eat, sleep and dream television and film.
In this chat with the publisher of SOLIDNEWSNG.COM Online Magazine, AZUH LILIAN, the well-travelled graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan speaks on his odyssey in the motion picture industry from 1981 to present day.
What makes a good actor?
Talent. Experience. Training. General education and powers of observation
What makes you different from other actors?
Character interpretation and delivery
Besides acting, what else do you do?
I am a filmmaker, director and writer. I also teach films.
Your job is quite demanding, how do you relax?
My relaxation is usually complete in my country home at Ogboji, where I am close to nature.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion to me is dressing to meet different peoples in society.
What do you like most about being an actor?
Being engaged in the artistic interpretation of shades and myriads of many character portrayals as one is faced with. It is also the social presence of being known because of film acting profession and what will make life better for my society.
What is the greatest lesson life has taught?
Life has taught me an acute awareness that life and living have a terminal point. The worthiest contribution is making people close to you to feel happy; never do anything that would make somebody feel rejected.
How did you come about the name Obi Idejimba?
In 1992, I shot a drama series for my television programme; Call Me Raw deal. In 1994 I shot and released a film with the title Idejimba, Call Me Raw Deal. That film resonated and caught like wild fire. There was no single film marketer who did not sell Idejimba. The name thereafter stuck.
Can you re-call the last time you wore a suit and what was the occasion?
I wore a suit at my wedding on the 5th of December 1987 at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Aba.
Who is your best dressed Nigerian man and why?
That would be Mr. Peter Obi; he is consistent not flamboyant.
Who are your close friends and what does friendship mean to you?
Friendship for me is defined by trust and truth.
Do you think the government is doing enough to support Nollywood?
Government is not playing any role that is beneficial to the growth and practice of the film industry.
What production(s) are you currently working on?
The Rainmaker for ROK TV and A Mother’s Dream to be shot in two -week time if the logistics are right.
What is the most difficult thing about stardom?
It is knowing that you are the cynosure of eyes wherever you are with the attendant weight of being a role model. This entails that you must watch what you do and what you say, especially, if you have conscience.
What got you interested in acting in the first place?
I took acting course especially at the practical level in my undergraduate programme at Ibadan with the guru himself, late Prof Dapo Adelugba. Before then, I received undiluted practical training in acting at the hands of the principal of my school, FGN Kano, Mr. DJ Bullock, of blessed memory. The history of Nigerian Theatre is not complete without the seminal contribution of this great Briton and his wife, Ann Grooves. He influenced my reading Theatre Arts at the time it was strange in these parts. Forward to NTA Aba where I handled a grade A drama programme. Try me for many years. I was forced to take on difficult roles which people I initially cast acted.
However, the real decision to go into acting came again in my early days in Nollywood directing. I couldn’t stand the jaundiced acting of some people I gave roles on my set. I stepped in myself. By acting bids soon outnumbered directing bids and I naturally gravitated to acting. Let me state here that in 1999 when I officially quit my job as NTA producer, going into Nollywood full time was next. With my experience as both director and actor as well as having knowledge of the level I wanted for myself in the industry, I couldn’t enter acting. With the array of stars there then, I couldn’t rub shoulders with Peter Edochie who we (and I in particular) had birthed in the NTA celluloid production of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1985). I instead went into directing, in order to maintain a level that was somewhat high in the industry, nearly commensurate with television- status. In Nollywood, you must pay your price to be known.
Simply put, no matter how good you are or how well trained you are, Nollywood must subject you before you are accepted. For example, when I joined newly, I had to serve as assistant director under my boys in NTA just because they had left service to join earlier than me. It was a high price for me knowing that most directors I worked under and in the assistant capacity were my juniors by many standards.
Where is the most fantastic place you have travelled to recently?
Japan
How many movies have you produced so far?
I have produced over 150, directed over 250 and acted in over 400.
How about drinks?
I had beer last in 1974. I quit alcohol about that period too, not on religious grounds.
The best drink is water all the time.
Most people watch your films to make them happy. What makes you happy?
It is knowing that people would be happy watching my movies, but more importantly, bringing smile to a burdened heart. That makes me super happy. Conversely, it makes me sad when I am unable to lighten the load off my fellow man.
How long have you been married?
I have been married since 1987.
What is the sweetest thing about marriage?
I’m happy and content knowing that my soul mate is there for me all the time, in much the same way that I watch her back and the children are not in lack, as much as God has provided.
How long have you been growing your bears?
My bears has been on and off since 1976, my university days. When I shot Idejimba (1994), my beard was lush black and full.
Is Uju Okoli your biological daughter?
Uju Okoli is from Akokwa in Imo State. I’m from Ogboji, Anambra State, So, she’s not my biological daughter but my Nollywood daughter.
