Daily independent newspaper published this article and statement made by Actress Omoni Oboli to Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. HERE IS THE STATEMENT BELOW...
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
walted 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.
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