An article written by Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli
I am Omoni Oboli and I represent Naija!
Our country is littered with success stories that have shaped us into
who we are. We have icons that have, through their consistency, paved
the way for many of us to walk right through. Many have done it
unwittingly by just focusing on achieving their personal goals and in
their resolve to break through the stereotypes, disenfranchisements and
stigmas they have shown the rest of us the endless possibilities in
their chosen fields. Others have done it with a plan to leave a trail
for others to follow.
I will continue to celebrate these icons that I
consider to be the true role models for our youth to emulate in our
nation. One such icon is our very own Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. The
original Omosexy who has been tagged the African Magic.
Omotola
waltzed into the movie industry before it was nicknamed Nollywood and
took her place at the top of the industry as a leading lady like she
actually owned the place. She fits into it easily like one who knew that
she was born to do this. Her consistency at the top is evidence of her
prowess at delivering every role consistently from when she stole our
hearts in the movie Mortal Inheritance.
The ever-growing fans of
Nollywood have been held spellbound by her believability in all her
varied roles. At such a young age when many didn’t know their left from
right she understood the responsibility that came with being the leading
lady. We saw her cry, laugh, rejoice, explore and display other
emotions and adventures that Nollywood has been consistently propelling
us actors through in the last 21 years of its existence so that we have
come to believe that we know her personally.
With her own style
and wits, Omotola has somehow shown us her life and yet kept the
personal bit intact, even though she got into marriage at an age many
consider to be too young. She has stayed in the marriage when many
casualties of failed marriages litter our nation and our industry. She
simply defied the odds! Even though pilots are reputed to be
philanderers, she has been successfully married to one for many years.
Actors have a global reputation of divorces, citing the flimsiest
excuses for their actions, but she has been steadfast in her marriage.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting down actors for their divorces
because many other industries surpass them in divorce rates. I’m just
showing that these are perceived notions the world over. Many of them,
especially the actresses, have had to endure strenuous relationships due
to their celebrity status in the hands of their spouses,. Through it
all, our Omosexy remains a pillar of virtue as an example to many that
it is possible to stay focused, achieve success in any field of
endeavour and still maintain a good family.
She continues to
break grounds globally, being celebrated for what we already knew she
is, one of the most influential figures of our time! This is due to the
impact of our film industry, Nollywood. This industry that many do not
yet see its direct and indirect impact on our society, but has broken
grounds the world over. This Nollywood that gave the opportunity to many
of us to find our voice globally. Where we would have been big fishes
in our small pond, we find that the world hangs on our every word and
action. This is such a huge responsibility for us to bear, and Omotola
has held her place there such that she has been commended for it
consistently.
I don’t need to talk about all the awards she has
acquired over the years, and I don’t know if she can count how many
awards she has received till date, but we know that she has not failed
to deliver on most of her performances. The Bible says that a man’s
gifts makes room for him and brings him before great men, kings or
captains of industries, and it certainly has in her case. She has been
honoured for her performance on screen and for her activities off
screen. She has lent her voice to many worthwhile causes and championed
many of her own.
She is the mother of four children and has
managed to stay in shape, not only for the screen, but for her husband.
She is truly an icon in the movie industry and in Nigeria as a whole.
She has shown that with hard work, consistency, diligence, focus and a
desire to achieve, there is nothing that can stop your rise to the top
of your game.
I try to celebrate the icons in our nation that
are worthy of emulating so that our youth and our people can begin to
heal from the damage of inconsistent, morally decadent and corrupt role
models that we have followed in the past and start chatting a new course
for ourselves by looking to people whose lives have paved a walkway to
greatness.
Remember to go out there and start or continue
buying and watching our movies, like Anchor Baby, Last Flight to Abuja,
Doctor Bello and many other titles out there that are good quality
products. My movie, Render to Caesar, will be in the cinemas sometime in
November. It promises to be a must watch for everyone. I’m starring
alongside Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire, Lottery Ticket), Wale Ojo (Phone
Swap, Johnny English), Lucky Ejim (The Tenant), Kalu Ikeagwu, Dede
Mabiaku, Bimbo Manuel and many others.
Our future depends on your consistency in supporting us so that we can keep smiling.
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Sexy dark skinned Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede, who left the scene
in 2007 to study International Relations in Cyprus is back to the
screen. Yvonne, who was one of the chicks in 2face Idibia's African
Queen video, has been spotted on movie locations since her return to
Nigeria..jpg)
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According to reports, our very own Nigerian football legend
Austin JJ Okocha is currently producing a movie about reggae star Majek
Fashek.
