Sensational and sexy star actress Iniobong Edo is back to mainstream acting again. She bounced back to the admiration of her teeming fans, after the one-year ex-communication order slammed on her by the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), was lifted.
In fact, the controversial ‘ban’ which lasted for four months before it was quashed, has continued to raise dust within and outside Tinsel Town. Many have also questioned the rationale behind it, while the national leadership of AGN, ably led by charismatic Ejike Asiegbu, has constantly argued it was not done with punitive or personal intentions, rather, it was a purely corrective measure, aimed at serving as a deterrent to other erring members.
However, in her first ever interview since the ban was lifted, stunning and re-packaged Edo, from the oil rich town of Eket, in Akwa-Ibom state opened up on the ban and the trauma she went through while it lasted. 25-year-old Edo, also spoke on how she coped with it, lessons learnt, plans of staging a bold come back among several other germane issues in this interview.
Enjoy the interaction!
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), under the national leadership of Ejike Asiegbu, recently lifted the ex-communication order placed on you. How does that make you feel?
It’s a good thing and I am happy about it.
While the ban lasted, what were you doing and how did you cope?
It was really a period of break taking for me, after all the years of hard work. The basic thing was that I rested a lot and also took out time to do my own personal things.
Like what?
Like visiting motherless babies homes and other things that I had wanted to do but didn’t have the time to do them because of my busy schedules as an actress. Soon, I will be starting my NGO; we are still working out the modalities. The break gave me the opportunity to do the research and gather all the necessary materials needed for the take-off. Aside visiting my parents and all the people I hadn’t seen in a long while, I also took out time to re-think on all that had happened to me in the past, both positive and negative.
Did you feel bad when the ban was slammed on you?
I didn’t feel too good about it, even though I knew I needed a break, I would have preferred it to come in a better way. Nobody wants to be affected with negativity. Even when it was a necessity to have a deserved break I was not happy it came in that form. But it also gave me the opportunity to make amends with my life generally.
And now that you are fully back, what should your fans expect from you?
Even though I have several scripts waiting for me, I still want to take my time before hitting locations, I’m aware I have missed work but I won’t jump on any location. I want to take my time and come out differently. I also want to take a look at those things that were so “bad” that they said I did and see how I will make them better. So, currently I’m still going through all the scripts before me to choose the best among them. I don’t want to be on every movie anymore. I want to strive and see how I can be very selective in all the scripts coming my way now.
A lot of people, especially your fans did not know why you were banned. What really happened?
Well, I also really don’t know why I was banned, sincerely speaking. In fact, there were so many insinuations on the cause of the ban. And I could not really pinpoint any, but whatever it was, I don’t want to go into the details.
But it was alleged then that you were fond of abandoning sets and also very rude and insulting?
Well, nobody has the proof for that kind of heavy allegations, besides, it has never happened with me. I don’t think I have ever left anybody’s set for any other job. The only time I left a set, I was very ill and I also made it clear. But for some reasons that were not considered, besides I left in the middle of the night, in fact, it was almost daybreak when I left, around 3a.m.
Did you see the ban coming?
Well, people have different opinions about people. I am not trying to defend myself in whatever form. I knew anything could come my way because a lot of people felt; I shouldn’t have been where I was, that’s not the basic thing.
The impression is that you are very cocky, arrogant and utterly rude. Are you truly all these things?
I am not; again, people confuse or misconstrue confidence with arrogance. I am somebody who does not like to be intimidated.
While the ban lasted, did your colleagues sympathize with you?
Apparently, at that time, I changed my numbers and was also not around at some point. Actually, I don’t know if there was anybody willing to sympathize with me. I was not reachable.
How traumatic was the ban on you?
I don’t want to go into that now, but thank God the storm is over.
Why do stars like changing phone numbers?
Most times, for security reasons, especially when some particular people keep bugging and stalking you. Again, I don’t feel safe with a particular number for too long. It is part of the price we pay for being in the public eyes. When your privacy is constantly invaded you begin to change numbers frequently.
So, how do you cope with phone intruders?
I try to be sane and be myself always.
What major lessons did you learn from your ban experience, while it lasted?
The major lesson for me is that you should not take or judge people from what they look like. I trust very easily and that was one of my major problems. I also figure that most times, some friends get closer in order to bring you down or get you out of your position. Another thing I learnt from the ban is the kind of responsibility God has put on me as a celebrity. I may have not realized the position or height God has taken me. It is generally, an eye opener from God to me.
And how did your parents and family receive and react to your ban?
My parents, especially my dad kept telling me it was a necessary break ordained by God. He also urged me to re-examine myself and correct those things that were wrong.
Are you suspecting conspiracy and foul play from some fifth columnists?
I don’t want to say anything that would in turn raise eyebrows but the truth is people that were involved negatively with my ban all love it. People were involved; there was some sort of conspiracy by some people who felt I should not have been where I was. They painted me in a very bad light to the AGN leadership. But thank God our amiable president, Mr. Ejike Asiegbu allowed wisdom and fair judgment to prevail.
A lot of people have argued that your meteoric rise to stardom was sudden. Do you concur with them?
That’s not true; I started years ago with auditions and minor roles, like six years. My first audition was Child of Destiny, in Aba, Abia State. In fact, that was my first movie by Ndubuisi Okoh, from Zelex Productions. I did not plan where I am today and it is not because I am so good. For some reasons, I just have the favour of God and He made it happen. But I don’t like to admit I came from nowhere, I have paid a few dues. I may not have had it as rough as others, but in my own little way, I didn’t have it so smooth like that. I had a divine enlistment at the end of the day.
So, what were the major challenges, you encountered on your way to the top?
When you come into an industry like Nollywood, it takes time for you to convince people to believe in you and also stake their money on you. Especially, if you consider the fact that you are not known. I had to work harder in order to be given a chance to get to where I am today.
Is it also true that Worlds Apart, from the stable of Great Movies Production brought you into limelight?
Yeah! It was a major break for me, even though I had done other movies before then. It actually brought me to limelight. I was already a diploma student of theatre arts at Uniuyo, when I traveled to Aba, for my first movie. A course mate of mine invited us, so my coming into Nollywood was never by accident. But unfortunately, I never wanted to be an actress, I dreamt of becoming a lawyer or a newscaster. I was an actress in my school days; I was at New Era Nursery School Eket, my town in Akwa-Ibom State. I eventually graduated with a degree in English and Literary Studies from University of Calabar. I will be going for NYSC with the next batch.
What happens to your acting career when you leave?
My career will still be there. Just for one year, definitely I will try and cope.
A lot of people are of the view that you are very controversial. How controversial is Ini Edo?
I really do not know, better still, ask those who think I’m controversial. But deep down, I don’t think I am. Most times, some people can’t just seem to comprehend what you do and who you are.
But how do you react to bad press, do you cry, does it weigh you down?
G-a-w-d! It does not only affect me, but my entire humble family. Mind you, I’m child number two in a family of four, and the second girl. We just have a boy. I am 25 this year.
No doubt, Ini is single and hot, is she also searching?
No! I’m not searching. I have found a soul mate.
Is marriage on the way?
I don’t know yet.
Is marriage not on your mind?
When the time comes, it will fall into place and that time is what I can’t tell.
Are there pressures from your parents to get married?
No! Not-at-all.
So, what happened to your romance with D’banj?
He is a good friend, we never dated and that’s the truth.
Who is your ideal man?
My dream man or ideal man is that man that is going to be good for me in all ramifications. He has to be God-fearing. I can’t compromise that. He has to be neat and decent too.
Can you marry an actor?
No, because that’s my profession.
Sometimes ago, the rumour mill was agog that you dated and later dumped your colleague Mike Ezuronye.
No! I never dated Mike Ezuronye. He is a colleague.
Did your parents endorse your coming into Nollywood then?
They never knew from the onset but became skeptical upon finding out. They eventually succumbed when a director that wanted me badly in his movie followed me home to talk to them. That was Ekenna Igwe and the movie was Snake Kingdom.
Like how many movies have you starred in since your arrival?
Let’s say, I have done over 100 and I do not have my best yet. But Only Love, by O.J Production, truly and really touched my soul.
How rich is Ini Edo?
Ini Edo, is just okay and comfortable.
What are your hobbies?
I like to swim, watch movies a lot, especially foreign. I try to watch Nollywood sometimes.
What weighs you down?
Anything very bad breaks me down and also weighs me down. I’m quite emotional and do not like hearing sad news. Disappointment is another thing that breaks me down.
Is it disappointments from men?
Not really! I don’t think a man has ever broken my heart. We part on mutual agreement if it is not working.
And like how many times have you parted ways based on mutual agreement with men?
I don’t know?
What is the next level for Ini Edo?
Well, I hope to do a lot more for myself by developing more as a total artiste. I also hope to launch my NGO and start a family.
How soon do you intend raising a family?
I wouldn’t know for now.
Your single status, does it weigh you down?
No! Not-at-all. I’m of age and should do it, but not that I’m crazy about it.
Who were the early showbiz personalities that influenced your coming into the game?
Liz Benson used to really make me feel like I want to act. Edith Jane-Azu and a couple of others also influenced me. On the foreign scene, I like Julia Roberts and Charlize Theron.
What stands you out and probably gives you an edge over your contemporaries?
I don’t know but always strive to be myself at all times. I like myself the way I am.
Have you ever been embarrassed on set by your colleagues?
There is usually bickering, backbiting and quarrelling every day on set. I cope because I’m a human being and equal to any kind of task.
Were you expecting your stardom to come this soon?
Really, I don’t know if it came soon or not: But I give God all the glory.
So, how are you coping with stardom?
I still try to be myself.
And how do you keep away male admirers, who bombard you with love overtures?
I just try to be polite in telling them I’m not available because I’m hooked. The stubborn ones get stubbornness from me as well.
But what part of your body usually gets them attracted to you?
I don’t know, I think you should ask them. They are coming for different reasons.
Last word to AGN for lifting your ban order?
I want to say a big thank you to Mr. Ejike Asiegbu, our national president and the entire leadership of AGN for being compassionate. I really appreciate them and all those who made this possible.
Did you see it coming?
No! I never did, it came as a huge surprise.
First published, December 2007.
Culled from Azuh Amatus’ best selling books, FAMOUS FACES…
