Nigerian-born radio presenter
at Sky UK and Ireland, Ms. Abike Ade, in this interview with Ademolas 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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