How Mega Fortunes Pushed Pat Attah to Nollywood Limelight

This blog today features Patrick Uchenna Attah. The Anambra State-born actor has equally ventured into music. Hear him. "I’m a big fan of Bob Marley. Aside God, he is my only role model. I had always wanted to be a successful musician.

Here is an excerpts of an interview he granted to Daily Sun Newspaper in 2005. Enjoy.....

Starting
It was in the early 1990s. Then, I didn’t have acting in mind. What I really wanted to do was music. I later settled for acting as an alternative. Ramsey Noah brought me in.

Coming into limelight
Well, it was quite an experience. But prior to that time, I had acted on TV in Rivers State. Mega Fortunes gave me the needed push because it was on NTA Network. It was my first major job and it was quite challenging. I really enjoyed every bit of it.

Growing up
I grew up in many places. As a matter of fact, I’m from a family of six and I happened to be the last child. My father was a former Federal Pay Officer. Being a civil servant, my father was always on transfer from one state to another. So, I grew up in different parts of the country. Well, it was quite an experience for me.

Changing locations
I will say that it is an added advantage to me. And it has also affected the way I see and relate with people regardless of tribe, background or religion.

Education
I had my primary and secondary schooling in different states. Later, I was admitted to the University of Port Harcourt, but I could not complete the course for certain reasons. I don’t like discussing the circumstances that led to my leaving University of Port Harcourt. I later ended up at the Nigerian Institute of Sports where I did a course in Basic Sports Management. I still have the plans to return to school, but not too soon. I do my things one after the other.

Nollywood debut
It was Glamour Girls by Nek Videos in 1994. I’ve come a long way in the industry. I’ve put in 14 years in the movie industry.

Coping with female fans
The fact is that, most of the time I speak with them on phone. I hardly see them face-to–face. I’m also an introvert, if I don’t have any business to attend to outside, I hardly go out. I like staying indoor doing one thing or the other. I also write, compose songs and design websites for my clients.

Most challenging role
I won’t describe any role as the most challenging. I see all my roles as very challenging. But my role as a mad man in Boomerang was very tasking and demanding. Aside playing a madman in the movies, I had to speak like a stark illiterate.

Acting as fun
Acting? I enjoy being on set because that is what I have chosen to do all my life. The only thing I don’t enjoy about acting is changing of costumes on sets. It’s quite stressful. I get tired easily when asked to change my costume.

Likely alternative profession
Well, if I’m not acting, I would have been a footballer or a volleyballer.

How comfortable
Oh, I pay my bills; that is how comfortable Pat Attah is. I won’t say I’m a millionaire, but I’m very, very comfortable.

Love life
I want you to know that every young man needs a lady in his life. Pat Attah has a lady in his life presently, but I wouldn’t disclose her identity now for security reasons. But she is not an actress.

Marriage
Marriage is a lifelong commitment and a man has to prepare adequately for it. Definitely, I will get married as soon as I’m ready. In marriage if you rush in, you will rush out. I will get married, but I’m not in a hurry or under any pressure to do that. But don’t be surprised if it happens this year.

Managing my career
Let me say that one cannot eat his cake and have it. Being famous has really spurred me to do better so that those who look up to me as a role model will not be disappointed. They also appreciate what I’m doing and that is why they recognise me whenever they see me.

Playboy syndrome
No! I’m not a playboy. People get that idea about me because of my roles in home videos. The truth is that I’m a one man, one woman kind of person. I don’t believe in double dating. In fact, I detest men who double date. People should stop judging me with my playboy movies. I’m not one.

Assessment of Nollywood
We are still growing; it is still a baby industry. Sincerely speaking, we are not doing badly. There are rooms for improvement. We can do better than what we are doing presently. Do you know that aside from petroleum, Nollywood is the second highest foreign exchange earner for this country. We have also created employment for the masses of this country. The government should start assisting us, they should come to our aid now.

Improving Nigerian film industry
If I have my way, I want better and improved welfare packages for artistes. Aside the few big names that earn big monies in quote, others take home peanuts. And when you pay peanuts, you get monkeys as results. We should try and pay all stakeholders in Nollywood very well, so that we can bring out the best in them.

Artiste Fee
I’ve collected over half a million in some movies. I’m eagerly looking forward to the day I will collect one million and above. I have over fifty movies to my credit.

Influence of Nollywood
Nobody except God. He is my role model and inspiration. But in the music world, the late Bob Marley is my only role model. I appreciate the acting skills of my colleagues, both locally and internationally. I do criticize myself whenever I watch the bad roles I had played.

Projecting into the future
I can’t say precisely where I will be in the next 10 years, but I know that I would have moved real forward. It is left to God to decide. I’m sure that I would have done a couple of hit movies in Hollywood by the special grace of God.

Music career
I have a lot of plans. I have also done a number of recordings, but I had to suspend everything because music comes by inspirations. I stopped when the inspiration stopped coming. I’m praying to God to continue to inspire me so that I can go back to the studios to complete work on my album. Before the end of 2005, my debut album will be out. It’s a fusion of reggae and R&B.

Passion
I love pets a lot. In my house here, I have a monkey, parrots, dogs, and a live aquarium. I’ve ordered for a chimpanzee and a wild cat like cheetah. They are processing the licence for these animals. I love animals because they are very loyal and will never betray you. I love them with a passion because they can die for you while protecting you. They are my best friends.

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Updates on Doris Simeon-Ademinokan

Doris Simeon who was featured by this blog has finally open up on so many issues. The interview which was culled from Bytcs is quite revealing. Here is an excerpts of the Interview granted by Doris Simeon.

MY HUBBY LIKES ME TO TAKE CHARGE...

Six weeks after delivery Doris Simon, who won indigenious actress of the year at the just concluded AMAA Awards spoke with us in the comfort of her home.

I’m surprised you are not that fat after delivery. How come?
Well, I thank God; I don’t know why it’s like that.

It seems you worked till the last day of your delivery.
Not really, actually I went on break two months to my delivery.

How were you able to work with your big tummy?
I would say it was because I didn’t have a big tummy. It wasn’t that obvious.

How was it like in the labour room?
It was very sweet. People outside would understand what I mean by that. It was nice.

How does it feel to have a baby boy at last?
I’m so happy, extremely happy. There was a day I went to a friend’s house, she was marking her child’s birthday, I was there and was wishing I had my own child too. I love children around me, I love to see them play and dance. So, when I had my baby I was so happy, at least I have my own baby.

How long did it take you to get pregnant?
I didn’t wait for too long. I got married early December and gave birth in April.

You must have been pregnant before marriage, was that deliberate?
Well, it just came, you know as a normal thing, when you are going out with a guy you go over to his house to sleep sometimes and you know.

Why did you chose him?
I don’t know. That means they were so many and I chose him out of the lot, (laughter) I really don’t know. We met on a set and I got to like him. It was not that we met and started dating, it started by our working together and from one thing to the other we became friends and got closer and closer and here we are.

On which set did you two meet?
On his set, Omo Jayejaye in 2005.

So, what made you say yes?
We were working together and from there I got to know him and felt he is somebody I could live the rest of my life with.

Was marriage on your mind when you started dating?
No.

What was on your mind then?
We really did not know it would get to this extent, it just happened. Friendship was what was on my mind. I really did not know we would go this far, we worked together and we were good friends. When we met it was like we could do things together and since we have passion for this job we became more like business partners. Now, it has gone beyond that.

How did he ‘toast’ you?
When you see him, you should ask him.

Why did you choose someone who is already in the movie industry?
He knows and understands the job. He knows what we face and I thought since we know what we do, it is better for us to be together.

Why did you get married early, most of your colleagues are yet to settle down?
I am not too young.

But you are not yet 30?
It doesn’t matter. I’m in my twenties and it doesn’t really matter. At my age I should have given birth to my sixth child and see me with my first child.

What do you mean give birth to your sixth child?
I should be resting by now, after all Omotola gave birth to five children before 30.

When are we going to get to see you on location again, this is the sixth week since you gave birth?
I’m working on my second movie now. Very soon we shall go on set.

Everybody seems to be talking about your movie, Onitemi. How come?
When we were actually working on the set, I wasn’t happy because I doubted if I had done a good job. So many things were going through my head, I was like God, help me. I started comparing the movies with other films out there, especially Funke Akindele’s films and some other good movies out there. Though it was my first movie, I wish it was better, but when the movie was released everybody started calling me and commended me for a job well done.

How many copies were sold?
Actually, I don’t know but the marketers will know much about that; how many copies they sold and how much they made.

Which movie is the most challenging one you had?
None really. I don’t think I’ve ever been in any challenging movie like that

What of Modupe Temi?
Modupe Temi was a challenging movie but not the most challenging.

Your new movie, what’s it going to look like?
It’s going to be action packed, thriller, I think that’s what it will be like.

Who are the people you are planning to work with?
I’m planning to work with some English artistes who can speak Yoruba whose identity I won’t disclose now.

It seems you have been working with Saheed Balogun, is there any relationship?
Saheed Balogun is a very close friend to my husband, may be that’s why.

You once told me your boyfriend use to say you’re good in bed. was that same boyfriend now your husband?
Well, I’ll say that was a long time ago before I met my husband, he was my ex- boy friend.

What really happened?
I’ll say I don’t really know what happened, it’s the devil.

Will you say it was none of your own fault?
Well, part of my fault and part of his fault.

When you met your husband, were you not that scared whether he could be those kinds of people…?
Initially, I was somehow scared, but when we started going out I got to know him the more. He’s a cool headed guy, God fearing, friendly and very playful. These are what I really love about in my guy. Except for sometime that I go to work and I come back very late, whenever I was on a location he comes with me too, except he’s not in Lagos.

Do you feel lonely when he doesn’t come home?
Well, I feel lonely, but we talk on phone to ease the loneliness,but I don’t really feel bad about it.

Do you miss him in bed?
(Laughs), why are you asking that? I think the bed thing is one of the roles in marriage so that your husband will not look outside or have an affair with someone else out there.

Do you think your husband will not look outside?
Yes, because I trust him.

Sometimes trust is not enough.

Well, God is involved and with God by my side, but I know he’s a God fearing man and loves respect.
What are those things you do to him that keeps him?
I cook good food for him, even, if I don’t like it. I make sure I take good care of him, we exchange love pleasantries like I love you, I love you. As an Urhobo man, he likes his woman to be good in bed and I make sure I satisfy him and make him happy.

Are you good in bed?
Ah! Sam. You have asked me such question before now(laughs)

This is 2008, so, what makes you think your husband think you are good in bed?
Because he’s happy with it, he doesn’t complain.

Does being good in bed have anything to do with the part of country you come from?
I don’t really know but I think it’s everywhere.

Does your husband easily gets tired before you on bed?
I don’t know (laughs).

How many do you intend to have after David?
Well, in my mind, I wish my second child would be a set of twins and that would be the end of it, but my husband wants like four children.

Which one would you do, three or four?
Well, if by chance I give birth to twins as my second born, that will be the last child I would have.

Do you think your second movie would make the same landmark impact like the first one?
I pray it does. I’m looking forward to a time when I will shoot a movie not only, in Nigeria alone but also across the African countries and Western world.

How possible would that be?
Well, with God on my side.

About the award of a thing, what was your expectation about it before it finally came?
I can say it was God, I thank God for it. That very day, it was only two stations that showed it; AIT and NTA.

I just turned on the television set and behold to my surprise it just happened like that. I saw my husband on the television, but I thought he won an award and went there to collect it not until people started calling me and congratulating me. My husband later called me.

When a woman gives birth to a child there is usually conflict between father and child about the person who sucks the breast. Is that the case with David and his father too?
Why must that cause a fight? (Laughs) I’ll manage the two of them. David sucks the breast while the father will eat his “eba.” He will have to be patient.

How has life been treating you in marriage?
Well, fine. It is a good thing being married than being single, because there’s much difference between a married and an unmarried person.

Who takes charge in bed between you and your husband, who stays on top you or your husband?
Ah! That’s a very big question; well sometimes I think I do.

You mean you take total charge and he doesn’t feel inferior?
No, how would he feel inferior? He likes it that way and he enjoys it because he doesn’t complain (laughs).

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Jim Iyke of Nollywood - An Actor, Model, Businessman and a Film maker

Jim Iyke Esomugha hails from Enugu Agidi Village of Anambra State but was born in Gabon Libreville to the family of Mr. & Mrs Stephen Esomugha. The only male child of a family of 7, Jim Iyke graduated from University of Jos. Jim Iyke is an Actor, model, businessman and film maker, is the founder, initiator and driving force of Jim lyke Foundation for Children with special Disabilities. Jim lyke is one of Nigerian’s most popular actors with a history of over 120 movies in his film graph. Renowned for more than acting skills, he is martial arts specialist and is celebrated for pioneering a lot of first in the home video industry. He is the first actor to produce a mainstream big budget movie abroad. As a businessman, Jim has considerable interest in Real Estate and resource management.

This blog present to you JIM IYKE of Nollywood.

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