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Nigerian-born radio presenter at Sky UK and Ireland, Ms. Abike Ade, in this interview with ADEMOLA OLONILUA speaks on her acting career, broadcasting, her late husband and other issues
How has it been working as a broadcaster in the United Kingdom?
It’s been very very challenging.
How challenging? What kind of stress you go through?
The challenges vary. It starts from building one’s image, keeping it up and getting better and better on a daily basis.
So, have you been able to build your image to a level you are satisfied with?
The stress starts from meeting up with
the required standard from fans, individuals and at the same time
keeping with my duties as a mother. I continue to work on my image as
one is never satisfied. I strive to continue climbing until I reach my
best. My best is yet to come.
How did you come up with the idea of presenting a Yoruba programme in London? How has the acceptance level been?
Good question. I started with acting. In
1998, I lost my husband to armed robbers in Nigeria. Just a month
before the death of my husband, a young talented Nigerian, Ayo Coker,
approached me to work with his newly established radio station. The
radio station was named ‘N’Power Radio. I never thought that I could
present anything but Mr. Coker encouraged me by saying that he saw me in
some movies and he thought I could present on radio. I embraced the
opportunity and that was how I ventured into radio broadcasting.
How was your first day on the job?
I was then the first female to present a
Yoruba programme cum adverts on radio before others joined. My first
day was quite daunting and let me say ‘scary;’ but with the support of
Mr. Coker, it went well. However, let me say that I voiced jingles most
of the time then. The Nigerian community, mostly Yorubas, embraced the
idea of presenting in Yoruba language. It was a sort of relief in terms
of being able to express their concerns in their mother tongue and
having someone listen to their needs out there.
Tell us more about the death of your husband.
Well, my husband was the CEO of Layon
Printing Press in Kaduna. He won contracts to print execrcise books in
almost all the states in Nigeria during the regime of Babangida. He was
said to have been assassinated by armed robbers on his way from Kaduna
to Lagos in October 1998. His name is Mr. Adeyemi Asha-Layon; he was
from Igosun in Offa, Kwara State.
Fifteen years down the line, how have you been coping without him? Do the children talk about him?
Certainly, I miss him so much. With God
all things are possible. I’m coping well enough. Of course, his children
miss him so much and we cannot but talk about him. Even though he is
deceased but he remains my world, my role model, a friend and a father
and we will continue to miss him.
What exactly do you miss most about him?
His bluntness, honest, love and care for humanity
So why do you believe it was an assasination and not just a random armed robbery incident?
He was singled out from all the people in the car and nothing was taken from him.
So, he was not travelling in his private car?
Ade never used to travel alone. There
are employees and friends with him. It’s been a while now but the vacum
left behind, no one can fill.
So, how do you feel?
Awful, angry, annoyed, disappointed in our system.
For how long were you married?
We were married for nine years.
Why did you relocate to London? You started acting in 1998 and by now you would have been a big shot on the Nigerian movie scene.
I did not relocate to London initially.
My husband sent me here to study. Mind you, I was working with the then
Nigerian Airways before my husband asked me to travel out to further my
education in order to benefit his business. Yes I would have been a big
shot in Nigeria by now but let me remind you that I was not into full
acting while in Nigeria. I only did some acting while I was in school. I
only started to act in movies in London and stage shows before I
ventured into home video acting in 1995. I did not return back to
Nigeria due to the fact that first, I lost my husband. He was my
backbone. Second, I have nothing to come home to even though I have
family members back home. I decided to stay here in Britain and start a
new life.
Tell us the actors and actresses you featured with in Nollywood films.
I have been acting while I was in
secondary school back in Nigeria. When I came to UK, I joined a group of
stage actors. I featured in my first home movie in 1995, alongside Laja
Adedoyin and Lanre Adegun. It was titled, ‘Abomination’. I played a
lead role called Alero.
Of course, I played a romantic role,
kissing and making love. Listen, it’s just a movie, so don’t attach too
much importance to it.
My second movie was ‘Otito’, which
featured Jide Kosoko and Baba Suwe. There was another video I acted in
with Racheal Oniga and Pasuma. It was titled ‘Ileri Ayo’. I also
featured in ‘Faithful Lover’ with Ramsey Noah and Omotola
Jalade-Ekeinde.
Nobody ever asked me for sex before
giving me a role because I’m never vulnerable. I’m not desperate to
feature in movies, so there is no issue on that at all.
Why do you have a tatoo on your breast?
There is nothing wrong with having a
tattoo on your body. It’s all about choice. Second, my own tattoo has
something to do with my daughter and it’s personal. Therefore, I’m not
talking about it and I have no regret having a tatoo on any part of my
body. If you need to know, I do have more than one and it’s my choice, I
love it.
Do you intend to remarry soon?
Of course, I would love to remarry at
any time. I would love to remarry in God’s own time, because it is not
good for any lady to be single. Apart from the Biblical aspect of it,
our traditions and community do not respect a single woman. For a lady
to command respect, she needs to settle down with a responsible man. I
don’t have any problem dealing with men’s advances. Ladies are meant to
be wooed by men. I’m a matured woman.
Starting a new life is not as easy as it sounds. How was it for you intially?
To God be the glory, things are great.
All thanks and adoration to the most high God. Initially it was very
very rough and I mean rough to the point that I became a destitute,
begging to feed. I had no papers to remain in the country. I moved from
one place to the other to avoid immigration. Though I came into the
country with a student visa but after the death of my husband, I did not
wish to return to Nigeria. But the UK Home Office asked me to leave
their country. Then, I started sleeping rough. I had to fend for them
and with God on my side, I tried my best. Now, my yesterday has now
given birth to my today.
How has it been combining work and raising your two kids?
Well, it was not easy. However, God has been faithful and able in all areas, so I thank God.
Are you planning on coming back to Nigeria?
Not at the moment; I lost my sister to armed robbers in March.
Are you afraid to come because of the insecurity in the country?
Yes. Nigeria is a ‘no go area’ for me. I
have a registered charity organisation here in UK. The charity is in
support of the disabled, homeless persons and people/community suffering
from poverty.
Why did you set it up?
The charity was set up in line with my
experience as a destitute living without papers in the UK and also in
line with the legacy of my late husband. There are so many people
suffering out here and even in Nigeria. They are unable to feed, no
family support, just like I was once in those shoes. There are others
that were faced with the inevitable and therefore could not move on with
their lives. Such individuals require support, both morally and
financially. The organisation is called Abike Ade Foundation.
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