Popular Yoruba actor, Odunlade Adekola, tells Ademola Olonilua about his career, marriage and other issues
How would you describe the year 2014?
The year 2014 was a very good year for me even though I believe that with prayers, every year can be great. We all went through different challenges as human beings but we are hoping that this year would be better. I believe that this year would be wonderful for everybody especially for me.
How did you start acting?
I was still a very young boy when I started. I do not want to say I started from church because I have come to realise that church drama is different from what we do. I had a childhood friend, Tunde, who was a part-time actor and he introduced me to a theatre group that rehearsed near my house. One day, he invited me to join the group and I agreed. I went there that day and the man in charge asked me if I could act and I said I could. He then told me to act like a crazy person and when I did that, everybody there began to clap. That was how I started gradually. Later on, I got to know about to go Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (now Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria) and I joined fully in 1998.
Often times, you act the role of a comic character in films, why didn’t you go into mainstream comedy?
I believe that anything you want to do in life would come your way, don’t force it. When I started acting, I did not start with comedy. People discovered that talent in me. People tell me that I am funny but I don’t see myself as being funny. I don’t even see myself as a comedian but if it comes my way, then it is from God.
Can you tell us about your latest movie, Alani Pamolekun that was premiered last weekend?
It is a story of an armed robber who also wants to be the most powerful person in the underground world. All he wants is power and he does not want anyone to be more powerful than he is. So, he does anything to become more powerful. He is a daredevil that believes there is nothing he cannot do.
What moral lesson is the movie meant to teach?
It teaches contentment. One has to be contented with what he has. Also, armed robbery is a very bad thing to indulge in but unfortunately, these robbers have godfathers that back them. The movie also preaches to the politicians who do not care about the people who voted them into power. The movie tackles a lot of issues and there are lessons to be learnt.
Did your parents oppose your choice of career?
No, my parents loved the idea. When I told my father, he really encouraged me and my mother was not against it at all. My father, being the head of the house, put his weight behind me and gave me his full support. He could have told me to drop the idea but he did not. It was only one of my uncles that did not really support my choice of career but now he’s the one that tells me to bring films for him to watch.
What did your uncle have against your career?
He believed that it would have taken much of my time and distract me from my education. I bluntly told him that I wanted to become an actor and to help my case, my father called him and told him to allow me to pursue my dream.
While you were growing up, what was your future ambition?
Like many children, I did not have one and I remember that when we were in school and our teachers asked who wanted to become a doctor, my friends and I would raise our hands. It was the same when we were asked about being a lawyer, engineer, etc. All I knew while growing up was that I loved doing business. I am currently in the University of Lagos where I am studying Business Administration. I like being the head of a business; I love the feeling I get while coordinating people in order to make my business better.
What influenced your decision to go back to school?
In this life, I will continue to read and acquire knowledge till I die. It feels good to be famous and popular but education is the greatest thing. My fame is not as valuable as my educa
wow and bravo.I just love your movies especially your actions they are more than supernatural