Lere Paimo, popularly called Eda Onileola, is one of the
veteran actors whose works have stood the test of time. Despite the
challenges that have come his way, Eda says he has every reason to thank
God for a successful career, in this interview with SEYI SOKOYA.
You have not been active in movies in recent times?
I am still acting. We just finished a series that will be
aired for a year by Galaxy Television. The drama series is currently
running on the station, precisely on Thursday by 8:30pm. We are not
resting, because we have already completed the series. Currently, we are
warming up to embark on another drama series . The title is Omi Ogbon
and it is full of wisdom as the name implies. I derive joy in producing
works that will boost knowledge, affect lives positively and promote
culture and values.
How did you get this offer?
The owner of Galaxy TV, Chief Ojo, who is a good friend of
mine, gave me the offer. For someone to have given a year offer is not
ordinary, but a true love. He even told us to bring a proposal for
another one year series. So, you can see that I am not retiring.
Some people have suggested that you retire from acting since you are hardly seen in the mainstream filmmaking?
You are right. Despite the fact that I hardly feature in the
mainstream these days, that does not mean that I have retired or quit
acting. I can never quit; this is my calling and I will continue to act
until God’s time. I turned down offers to feature in some works because
some of them or the stories had no meat.
How do you mean by they lacked meat?
Some of the jobs did not have good messages and lacked
cultural values. Except for Kunle Afolayan, who has good manners, he is
the only person that I would not hesitate to work with if he calls me.
Others don’t fear God and they don’t want to reckon with elders and this
is why we have kept them in their space.
But it was reported that you were deliberately sidelined
because you were causing problems in the association. Is the report
true?
That is not true. Meanwhile, I am not the only person that is
sidelined; Baba Wande and a couple of elders in the industry are also
sidelined, because of association issues. The situation became messier
when they left the indigenous association, the Association of Nigerian
Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), to form the Theatre and Motion Pictures
Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN). I made them realise that I would not
leave ANTP that the late Ogunde founded. This is why they said they
would not feature us again. So far, I have no regrets being sidelined
from acting for about six years. I thank God for His faithfulness,
because despite all these, I have not turned a beggar nor gone hungry.
God has not turned against us. I have every reason to thank God, because
their plans didn’t work. I have not lost my place as a veteran in the
industry. Though I may not be wealthy. I appreciate God for what I have
been able achieve in this profession and the good things He will still
do for me.
What is your take on ANTP?
The association still exists and is formidable. I foresee an
association that would have a selfless leader and well-committed
members. Everyone needs to check themselves and ask questions whether
what they are doing is right or wrong. We need to remove sentiments or
selfish interest if we desire to let the association grow, as well as to
leave a worthy legacy behind.
You travelled abroad recently. What informed the trip?
Contrary to the rumours doing the rounds that I went for a
life-saving trip. I am hale and hearty. I was healthy and sound before I
left the country and even when I returned, nothing has changed. Mere
looking at me, did you see any sign of illness? No, I don’t care about
what they say. I thank God for my life and how far He has brought me.
Someone asked me to come and celebrate my birthday in America, because I
had been celebrating it in Nigeria. I obliged and embarked on the trip.
In fact, I really enjoyed my stay. Fuji star, Obesere was the one who
played at all the events. From New Jersey, we went to Maryland, Atlanta
and New York. They celebrated me in a big way and I felt honoured and
returned home peacefully.
How would you describe your life as one of the living legends in the acting profession?
As I said earlier, I thank God for everything and I will
continue to appreciate Him. My greatest joy is that I have been able to
leave a legacy for the younger generation. Irrespective of what has
happened, my footprints are indelible. Above all, I am still thanking
God for the rare grace. I have enjoyed an uncommon grace from Him. My
works are still speaking for me. Awards are countless. National awards
too have added feathers to my cap. I remember when my great friend,
fondly called Ebora Owu, a former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo, gave me a national award, Member of the Order of the Federal
Republic (MFR), we both ate orogbo, bitter cola and chatted after the
ceremony.
If you look back from where you started from, would you say that you are fulfilled?
Yes, I am. If one is able to cater for his family through his
calling, he should be described as fulfilled. All my children are
graduates, except my last born, who is still in higher institution. I
also have a house of my own and a car. So what else can someone desire
in life? I am only trusting God for additional blessings and long life
in sound health.
What is your relationship with Jide Kosoko and others after the whole court case?
I have maintained a cordial relationship despite the fact
that they mandated others not to feature us in films again. As an elder,
I maintain my space, because it doesn’t move us an inch. They will even
be troubled with guilty conscience, because they are also hearing about
what God is doing for us. In fact, they must have seen that God did not
abandon us. Personally, I bear no grudge against any of them. Take it
or leave it, Jide is my son; I don’t have any grudge against him. He and
his associate still greet and accord me respect anytime we meet. We are
not fighting at all.
So far, would you say your popular movie, Ogbori Elemoso gave you what you expected financially?
I thank God so far, and it is time this movie would bear a
bountiful fruit. A popular monarch in the country is ready to promote
the work in a new dimension. He is planning to come up with a massive
project that would involve both national and international faces in the
movie.
What distinguishes you as a veteran actor?
I have nothing special. I just see everything that I have
become and whatever I have passed through as a divine grace. I am not
exceptional, because those that are better than me are no more. The only
thing I feel I have and is special to me is that I keep records. I have
about six diaries, which I have been using for six decades now. It will
interest you that I have a full record of the cost and spending of my
popular movie, Ogbori Elemoso. The entire spending on the production is
documented and you would laugh to see the names of some popular actors
in my diaries.
What is your take on the film industry today, precisely the Yoruba movie industry?
It is good that the industry is witnessing a tremendous
growth, but we must not forget our root and the principles guiding
acting. The Yoruba movie is special and we actors and stakeholders must
not derail from the philosophy of our founding fathers. This aspect of
film making is to project our cultural values and preach morals to the
society. But the reverse is the case, especially what we see on screen
today. Even the titles of some movies are nothing to write about. The
mode of dressing of actors too is suspect. For instance, people hardly
notice women who use beads in those days. Many young women nowadays
derive joy flaunting waist beads in public. It is time we went back to
our root and cultivate the habit of producing quality films that will
impact lives positively. Though, my opinion may not count, because I
have been blacklisted, my take will be on record. It is not as if all
films are bad, but the good ones are very few. We need to be conscious
of our film productions, because we are like a mirror to the society and
we can easily influence minds with what we offer people.
Credit: Tribune