He is easily one of the fastest rising stars in the Nigerian home video sector.He shot into limelight through television soap operas and become a regular face in Nollywood movies.Elliot has been to many parts of the globe,as his acting skills have made him a well sought after artiste.Besides,he is a role model in Nollywood such that he becomes first choice for every producer in search of artistes for romantic roles.
He was born to a Yoruba father and an Ibo mother.He grew up in the Northern part of the country and married to an Akwa-Ibom woman.He had his primary education at Air Force Primary school in Jos from where he went to St John’s College also in Jos.He studied Economics at the Lagos State University,Ojo, Lagos and graduated in 2003.
It was a friend who influenced him to become an actor but funnily his friend wasn’t an actor but he always felt that he was cut out for the entertainment industry. As a Christian,he prayed and asked God to help him make a choice and he did intervened and revealed to him that he should join the industry.He started with Everyday People,One Too Much,Wale Adenuga’s Super Stories and Saints and Sinners.
He is looking forward to becoming the elected governor of Lagos State in not too distant future.Women chase him as an actor but the fact remain that chasing is not the issue,what matters is that whenever I perceive that I am about to be chased,I run.I run because I have an ambition,which I don’t want women to ruin for me. I run from them if they want to go beyond the level of being my fans to another level.
Realising a character
When I receive a new script, I usually take my time to study it. Thereafter, I hold a discussion with the director on what is expected of me in the movie. Then I move on to develop a suitable character that will go well with what the entire production is all about.
Turn off
I don’t like people flashing me. I mean if you want to give a call, go ahead and do so, it is of no use flashing me.
I also feel bad when the up-coming artistes are not given the necessary opportunity to come into the industry and fully realise their potentials. Another thing that really puts me off is when some directors want to turn actors to zombies by casting them stereotypically into such roles as lover boy, gentleman, tough guy and all that. Personally, I like to see an actor take up different roles and interpreting them well.
Nollywood
The fact that the Nigerian movie industry is growing is what particularly turns me on, thanks to all those that are making it happen such as the marketers, directors, producers and others
Nollywood contributes to the nation’s economy because quite a number of people are involved and are earning their livelihood from it. The only problem is that our government is yet to fully realise the great economic advantage that lies in tapping into the industry. America and India have tapped into Hollywood and Bollywood respectively and the result is quite rewarding.
Government should come and invest in the industry, the marketers have done great jobs by investing their money to prove that the sector is lucrative.
Popularity
First, I did not pay for this talent, it is a gift from God and whatever comes from God is mine. At the same time, God gave it to me and reserves the right to take it back if you fail to use the gift to make people happy and contribute to the good of humanity. So, there is nothing star in my dictionary. I don’t see myself as a star, rather I see myself as someone who wants to manifest God’s gift to bless people, to bless myself and everything around me. I want people to be happy around me, not just to call me a star.
Relaxation
I basically relax with my wife whenever the opportunity comes, especially if I am in town and not involved in a tedious job. I have a special form of relaxation, I just choose a suitable time and free myself from every form of stress.
Marriage
Although people say I got married late but the truth is that I dated my wife for about eight years before we finally got married. My kind of job may have exposed me to the opposite sex but the truth is that my wife means the whole world to me. I appreciate my wife and I married her basically for love and nothing else. She is so understanding and caring. These are the two vital attributes I find lacking in most women of today.
Upcoming actors
The Bible teaches that anything that happens to a man comes by time and chance. So, I urge the younger artistes to aspire to be great. They shouldn’t lose hope or get frustrated. They should face their career no matter the obstacle they may encounter and keep working hard.
For example, many people frustrated me before I could get to the level that I am now. But any serious young artiste can also overcome the odds. Above all, what every youth should do is to keep a low head and when the opportunity to shoot into limelight comes, grab it.
A true Nigerian
I understand the three major Nigerian languages but I speak more of Hausa because that is the language I grew up with.
Bisi Ibidapo Obe is one of Nollywood's hottest faces in the Yoruba genre and has found fame and to an extent fortune in the Industry.The good-looking and inviting appearance lady is from Osun State,the third in the family of three boys and three girls.She started about twelve years ago without any formal training but now set for formal education.She have always been busy with rehearsals for all the films that she had taken part in.Films that people watch under two hours sometimes take months to produce and for her to give her best in anything,she likes to do one thing at a time.
Right from her secondary school days,she has always liked acting.She has always been inspired by people like Yinka Quadry,Abey Lanre and Ogogo.These are the people that trained her for what she is doing through rehearsals.Olabisi aka Omo Logba-Logba,is one of the youngest ladies in theatre circle,but not a child in the profession of make-believe.
She has taken part in a lot of films but most people know her for her role as Olabisi omo logba logba.It bears her first name and she had to play the major role of a prostitute which wasn't easy to prepare for,because she wanted to make it look real.It was the role that made me popular.
A nice and decent girl and very friendly with people.When she started acting,her parents fought tooth and nail to pull her out of it but later succumbed when they realised that it was what she wanted to do.Now,when they see her films,they are always happy that she is their daughter.
It was the late Ireti that ignite her interest in acting.In those days when she watched her films,she always enjoyed her act a lot.Bisi who has featured in many movies has romantically linked with many men in the past but none has ever been lucky to tie her down.She says marriage is a delicate thing and she needs to prepare very well before getting into it so that she does not rush in and rush out.She is only taking her time to prepare for marriage so that when she get married,it will works.She would love to marry a man that would understand her and trust her.She doesn't like a man who would not trust her and can't marry a man who after watching her film would be asking whether anything goes on behind the scene.She can only marry a man who would not doubt her and who is cool headed.
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She is definitely a chip off the old block. As the daughter of the legendry highlife musician, Victor Olaiya, the success of Moji Olaiya as a showbiz personality has not taken many by surprise. However, pretty Moji is aiming to surpass her father’s achievements by combining music and acting.While she has,to a large extent,made herself a household name in the Yoruba movie industry,she is currently planning a strategy that would lead to a repeat performance in music.
Though a daughter of an entertainment guru,she had a strict and organized childhood that was aimed at giving her and other siblings the best in education.Moji is a graduate of Catering and Hotel Management though she doesnt intend to practice her profession only in her private kitchen.
She started her movie career with Wale Adenuga’s popular television drama,“Super Story” after she was introduced by actress Bukky Wright to the crew.It was Wale Adenuga’s production that gave me the first break.She acted the role of Ireti in the edition entitled ‘No Pains No Gains’.Her performance in the drama was good and it proof that she has enough genes of the old highlife maestro in her veins.She later go on to give a repeat five-star performance in her debut Yoruba movie,entitled “Agunbaniro” (Youth Corper).The performance was enough proof that the “No Pains No Gains” performance was no fluke.
Her entrance into the movie industry coincided with the emergence of other equally talented and up-wardly mobile young girls.Moji says that the success of the new set of ladies making waves in the Yoruba movie scene is rooted in their education and background.Education has set them apart from the rest of the team.She has been able to relate at close range with all the younger generation of actresses.
Moji has won several honours both in Nigeria and overseas for her efforts.She got nomination for the 2003 Reel Award as the Best Supporting Actress of the year.She also got the Best New Actress award in another category.All these, she said have acted as motivation for her to aspire for the best in the profession.Though a star in her own right,the name of her father opened doors,which seemed impenetrable in the past.For instance,she says whenever she mentioned her name,people are always willing to offer assistance.She get things that even her own personality would not get easily done when she mentions his name.
Though she has a daughter out of wedlock,she is a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage.She claimed it was not her fault that they did not marry.They were just not compatible.They were actually planning marriage,but somehow,it didn’t work out. If it was her fault,he won’t see her on the street and say he is proud of her achievements.Moji Olaiya got married just before the end of last year to her sweetheart.
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