Nollywood Star actress, Rose Odika, in this interview with AKIN SOKOYA, speaks on her career, unity in the movie industry, and more. Enjoy…
Could you tell us about your activities since you assumed office as TAMPPAN governor of Oyo State?
I assumed office in November 29, 2014. We have been able to do one thing or the other. Firstly, we promised that we are going to put things straight administratively and to God’s glory, we have been able to do that, we have been able to monitor all the activities of the Local Government areas under us, and put some correction in place. Secondly, we have been able to revive the stage plays. For some time now, the association has been focusing on film production but we now discovered that we have to revive the stage play also. So far, we have been able to put in place about eight stage plays in 2016. We also did our theatre week whereby all the 22 Local Governments under TAMPPAN went into competition and 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes were given out to various local government areas that deserved it. That has been able to bring unity into the association. Before now, there was a fight between members from one local government area to another but now members are now focused and busy. We don’t have time for frivolous thing like a fight. In our manifestation when we came on board, we said we are going to make Oyo State a hub of film productions. There has been an increase in the production of films in Oyo State since we came into power. We have been able to invite some private investors to come in and invest into film productions in Oyo State. We have also put in place a task force to fight piracy; they work together with the police in Oyo State to reduce piracy to the barest minimum.
After the completion of your first term in office, do you have plan for the second term?
Only God can say. But for now, I am focusing on my first term because I still have about two years ahead of me. I am focusing more on achieving all my plans. I promised the association of a secretariat in my manifestoes; this I am working on to make sure it comes to pass. Second term is not in my mind for now.
Did your position as TAMPPAN Governor affect your movie productions?
Somehow, it has affected it, firstly because of lack of time. I have to resume to the office to attend to the association. Secondly, because I am the head of the association, film producers whose films have not met the association responsibility like paying their dues would not invite you to location because the moment they sight me, I will ask for the necessary dues and equally they try to avoid any executive on locations. So it has affected people inviting me to movie locations. The number of movies that I have featured has really dropped because of my new status as Governor.
What is the relationship between TAMPPAN of Oyo State and Association of National Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) in Oyo State?
There is no rancour between us. But TAMPPAN has nothing to do when it comes to film production with ANTP in Oyo State. It is in our laws that we don’t invite them to our films; we want everybody to stay put where they are, we are not fighting but it is just that we are not working together. We can go to party together but when it comes to film production, we don’t invite them to our films.
Which personal project are you working on?
I just finished my pet project that I do annually which I tagged “Ewa Asa”. It is about promoting the culture of Nigeria but I started with the promotion of the Yoruba culture. I am still going to promote the Igbo and Hausa cultures. I started with the Yoruba culture because I live in Oyo State, a Yoruba land. We stage this event every November. So we had the fourth edition last year November. It was held in the palace of the Ooni of Ife two years ago.
While waiting for you at the reception, I saw you swearing in some members, tell us more about that.
I just swore in stage reviving committee to make sure that we put up a stage every two months in Oyo State.
Could you take us through your years of experience as an actress?
It has been wonderful. Professionally, I started in 1989, it has been very encouraging, I appreciate God for what I have been able to achieve for years. I came to the limelight in 1992 and for me to still maintain my popularity till date is by God’s grace. I have been able to produce seven films to my credit.
Can you share your most embarrassing moment on the job with us?
Your fans will always embarrass you once in a while when they see you, they are like, we are greeting you now; give us money now. Fathia Balogun just passed here now and she gave us money; you are stingy; they say some funny talks like that. It can be embarrassing, or when somebody mistakes me for Funmi Martins or Orisabunmi. Unfortuntely, we have lost Funmi Martins, how would you mistake me for her. This could be funny and sometimes embarrassing. I am about 29 years in the industry and somebody would still mistake my identity.
When was your happiest moment on the job?
It was when somebody called me to pick-up a cheque of N500,000.00 after watching a film I acted in about two years after. He said he appreciated me so much in the movie because I acted so well. I thought it was a joke, meanwhile, I was paid a token of N20,000.00 to feature in that film. I was happy, that means somehow, our work is being appreciated.
Did you experience any sexual harassment at the early stage of your career?
Nobody has ever said let me take you to bed before I give you a role. I have never experienced any sexual harassment.
Are you fulfilled as an actress?
I will say I am fulfilled. I have made my name, I have had my other side and the good part of the industry. I also head a whole Association in Oyo State. I am grateful but I pray that God will take me to a greater height.
You have always been a stylish lady, what informs your dress sense?
To God be the glory, I am beautifully and wonderfully made. As a beautiful woman, what can complement my beauty is the way I dress. That has been able to encourage my way of dressing. I always put it at the back of my mind that you are pretty and that has helped me to become a fashionista. I am also a fashion designer. I see that it’s a must that I have to look good. That is what is propelling my dress sense.
How have you been coping with intimate compliments from men?
I enjoy compliments. I cannot be tired of good compliments. I welcome it anytime any day. I know when to keep compliments at bay if it is going beyond normal. There is a limit to it.
How are you maintaining your beauty and keeping fit?
I am a woman of many parts. I am also into Skin Care. As somebody who takes care of people’s skin, it is a priority for me to take care of my skin first. So you can never give what you don’t have. Looking good is a good business. I don’t bite more than I can chew. I take things as they come step by step. I don’t let anything bother my mind because God’s grace is sufficient for me. I neither smoke nor drink. These are the things that always make me look good and I watch what I eat.
Let’s know about your family background?
I am from a very humble family background. My father was late Inspector Peter Odika and my mother is a trader. I grew up in Ibadan but was born in Lagos. I had my early secondary education in Ibadan. While trying to pass my JAMB, I worked briefly with Saint Sabena Primary School, Eleyele, Ibadan for four years. In the same process, I worked with Prof. Bode Sowande to train as an actress before I eventually got admitted into Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, where I had my B.Sc in Health Education that is affiliated to University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1997.
Where do you hail from?
I am from Delta State, from Ugbodi Local Government. My parents are from Delta State.
You were born in Lagos and grew up in Ibadan; can you speak your local language fluently?
Yes, I can speak it because we were brought up with it. Our parents trained us with our local dialect. I speak my language fluently. I can use it to act film. My language is called Odukumi.
Tell us about your immediate family
I was once married to Mr. Joseph Osanaye. We have a lovely daughter, Tola Sharon Osanaye. She is 14 years. We broke up in 2005 and up till date, I maintain a single parent.
Are you in another relationship that could lead to marriage?
Yes, I am in a relationship and we are not talking about wedding for now.
Which role can’t you play in a movie?
I can’t go nude in a movie.
How can you describe your personality?
I am a gentle and easy-going person. Focused, determined and has a fear of God. I am a loving, straightforward and faithful woman.
If you have the opportunity of changing anything about yourself, what would it be?
Probably my weight. I love to be a moderately skinned person.
What are your hobbies?
Reading, writing and travelling.
What other business do you want to add to your line of business this year?
Event Management and Catering Services.
What support is your industry getting from the government?
We are not getting any support from this present government. I don’t know whether to say they are supportive or not.
What is the message to your fans?
I thank them for their support, God should replenish them as they bring out money to support our business and they should not buy pirated copies of our works.
What is your advice for upcoming ones?
They should be determined, focused and educated.
Some people perceive actresses as prostitutes, what is your reaction?
I also believe in it that some of our actresses behave as if they are prostitutes. I want to use this medium to advise that our National Exco should scrutinize our members before they are taken into the Association. Our President is trying because we just had the producers’ screening and before you can be a producer, you must have passed through that screening which has helped in streamlining anyone just coming up. The industry is not only for TAMPPAN, we have people from other associations and I want other associations to learn from TAMPPAN to screen all members so that they will not destroy this industry. Most of the women there that call themselves actresses are already prostitutes in their houses before they use the film industry as a back-up to really sell themselves. Some actresses are ready to go nude because they want to sell what they have. The industry is not a place to sell your body but your talent; God’s given talent, what you have in your brain not what you have in your body. I also don’t like the fact that you can’t beat your chest and call yourself an actress outside. You are also ashamed of calling yourself an actress. One can’t even be proud to say I am an actress. I want to beg our women in the industry that they are image makers in this industry and should show their God- given talent brain wise and not otherwise.
