Check
out the article Omono Oboli wrote for Daily Independent celebrating Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. In
an era where beef and controversy sells, this is a welcome act from one of the
finest actresses out.
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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