For now, let me talk about insecurity, ... not marriage— Pawpaw

 

The name Osita Iheme may not ring a bell but his stage name, Pawpaw, definitely does. He is one of the favourite faces in Nollywood. SEYI SOKOYA provides excerpts of an interaction with him where he touched on national issues, Nigeria’s entertainment industry and his life as a bachelor.

You are one of the favourite faces in the Nollywood, but recently, it seems you have diverted a title bit or kept a low profile. What really prompted this?
No, I don’t think so. What do you mean by I kept a low profile? That shows you have not fully been following the movie. Have you been to Alaba for a while now? (…laughs) Maybe you have not been watching some movies lately.

What have you been doing aside movie in recent times?
A lot of things are going on. As a living soul, one needs to always learn to put one’s eyes in different baskets. I am not supposed to be known with only movie as an actor other businesses once in a while other businesses carried me out of what people used to know me with.

What kind of business would snatch acting in which you acquired your fame?
Acting is my primary field while others are secondary. I am a general merchant. I venture into any business that can fetch me money. At present, I have a book I am working on entitled “Inspired 101” it is a kind of inspirational quotes I put together. It is a way for people to feel another side of me.

You featured in P-Square’s ‘Personally” video. Could that be part of your diversion?
I have never diverted. There was nothing different from what I do in my usual movie. Nothing different or special about it, it is an indication of hard work and commitment.

Can you tell us the recent movie you featured in?
I recently featured in several movies and I have couples of movies I titled ‘Mr Limpopo’, ‘Super Models’, ‘The Fighter’, ‘The Holy Beast’ among others. They are all in the market, but some of them are not yet out.

Could you go down the memory lane on how you sojourned into the movie industry?
It’s a long story, but I would say it was and still the grace of God. I really appreciate what God did in my life. It happened some years ago, but before then, I have always had it in mind that I wanted to become an actor because I love acting. Along the line, divine intervention brought me into the industry and even into the limelight in no time.

The emergence of Aki and Pawpaw gave the movie industry a new face, both of you usually command attention, it even got to a stage movie is not complete without showcasing Aki and Pawpaw. What do you feel with this development?
No doubt, Aki and Pawpaw gave the Nollywood another name because of the peculiar nature of the actors coming together in the movie world. Our coming together in the industry created another perception of how people view and relate with people with a small stature. We came to break the barrier and correct the wrong impression and stigma placed on us. We were able to state clear that no matter your disability, you can still make it in your life time. You have the right to do what you wish irrespective of your environment or discriminations. And with the grace of God, we did it and through this, we have been able to educate a lot of people.

Where exactly was the meeting point?
He was in the industry before me. He had achieved a bit. Afterwards, I surfaced and I met him in the industry. Our meeting point was not different from the usual fellowship as other artistes during locations or functions. We actually met at a location and nothing was attached to it.
But it seems the intimacy is not what it used to be, considering the rumour doing the rounds that Aki had dumped you for his wife. What do you see to this?
Getting married is not a big deal. It is a good move for a man to wake up one morning and say he wants to get married. I don’t think we will have any barrier in our closeness or relationship. I don’t know why the rumour is doing the rounds that we have parted ways. You know people like to make news out of what is not. If we were not in good terms, would I be his best man?

But you guys no longer live together as before?
Yes. We were living together before, but we had to re-adjust our bachelor life since he is married. As a matter of fact, we visit each other.

How did you feel when that woman suddenly came to snatch him away from you?
A bachelor must have it at the back of his mind that one day a woman will come in and take charge of the house.

Considering the intimacy, people thought you guys would also make a record by knotting the tie same day?
(…Laughs) God has a way of doing things and since God wants it that way it will definitely happen.

 



















It seems you are enjoying your bachelor life?
I am enjoying my life. You know everyone has the right to enjoy life, either bachelor or not, that is why we are here.

People, especially your fans, can’t wait to see you get married?
It is a good thing. I am inviting all and sundry for a day like that and I know they will all come.

When exactly should they look to?
Is that what we are talking about now? We are talking about political issues in the country; you have to secure your life first before you can talk about all these things. We are talking about the way forward. When you get the way forward then you will now build future for the children.

But it is a prominent aspect of a mom’s life?
Yes it is, but as it is now, you and I are not talking about her because there is no her now. You can talk about it if you see her with me. So, let’s discuss about the burning issues. Until when you sight her with me, then we can talk about her.

You have a gift of dreaming and you had earlier dreamt of the death of your father before you received the news of his death, can you shed more light on this?
It was true. I have the gift of dream. My father travelled a lot and on this faithful day,  I had a terrible dream that he died, unknown to me that it had already happened. I shared the dream with my mum and my brother. Unknown to me, they had already received the shocking news in real life; she refused to inform me because I was small then, I only noticed she was just crying and later, I discovered unusual atmosphere; and I got to know when people started coming to pay condolence visits.

That means you still possess the gift?
Yes, by the special grace of God.
It means God must have revealed your better half to you in your dream?
(Laughs) It doesn’t matter and that one is private. Or you want me to tell you what God revealed to me? From my actions and reports, you will definitely know. Don’t be in haste. By God’s grace, it will come to pass.

How did it happen that you are the only one with this stature in the whole family?
I think we should be asking God. For example: looking at you, you are not a tall person. Will you now start querying why you are short and the other member of the family is tall. Let me ask you, why are you not tall? I am sure you have no answer to that.

Do you ever query your mum why you have this stature?
Why should I do that, my parents are not God. I don’t have to worry her over that. I believe if she knows, she might have tried to do something about it. I know she must have been furious about it when she discovered that I am of small stature, but I feel good because what is supposed to be a burden to her and the entire family is now a blessing. I am happy and my family is happy as well.

How has this name and stature brought you fame?
I thank God in every situation and place I found myself.  The moment I discovered that this is the way I am, I asked myself what was the next thing to do, but the spirit in me said I should remain focused. The secret is that I don’t see myself as short until when people draw my attention to it. I have come to realise that it is not by size and it requires that I will definitely get my own portion. It is always good to know who you are and where you are coming from. Some people don’t really know who they are and it is good to communicate with God to discover yourself. If you don’t have a close relationship with Him, you won’t be able to identify who you really are. You need to see yourself as an important personality. Being a peculiar person attracts people to me and I have never looked inferior due to my stature, it has rather turned my disability into ‘This ability’ and it has helped me a lot. I give thanks to God for giving me this wisdom that enabled me to think on what to do at the right time. Opportunity is like a boy without a parent or guardian; it means you can jam it anywhere, especially when you come out from your comfort zone. My look or stature created so many opportunities for me.

How do you draw your inspirations to be an overall actor, especially in a comic manner?
 It’s a talent from God. You cannot force yourself to play any part; inspiration comes from God. If God really gives you the grace you find it difficult to execute; it will just be as if you are playing.

Does that mean you flow without scripts?
Scripts are your guides. It gives you an insight of what the whole story is all about. Your talent requires using the script effectively. The scripts will not tell you everything, but just guide.
Of all the movies you have done, which is your favourite?
I have so many of them which I cannot mention now. I have ‘Criminal Law’, ‘Baby Police’ among others. I would say these films shot me into limelight.

It is now rampant in the movie industry where actors promote to become producers and film directors. What is your take on this?
It is based on your dream; anybody can decide whatever he wants  to become. You don’t need to hesitate once your instinct tells you to do it. If you are an actor and gradually you become a producer and later a director, you are indirectly telling the up-and-coming artistes that they can actually do it. It gives actors courage. The idea is not bad, if you really acquire the skills.
But it has been discovered that lots of those that are still fresh in the industry today don’t want to go through the rudiments; they suddenly want to jump into the limelight.

Has piracy dealt with you?
It is a major killer in the industry. Another major killer is finance and also distribution network. These are the major killers of the industry. We are too rugged, that is why some of us still try to bring out something. Nollywood requires our efforts either we get the money or not. Though, the presidency has done well by giving us fund. I want to urge those in charge to utilise it well and make it accessible. You know Nigerian things. When people discover that they have pumped money into entertainment that is when you see people establishing entertainment companies.

What is your take on this fund which had raised lots of dust?
That is the problem with Nigeria; there must be crisis. It is not only in the entertainment industry, but I believe the committee in charge is trust worthy and they should also ensure that the fund is channeled to the appropriate bodies and individuals because some people that were not part of the industry would come and lay claims to the fund. It is high time we organised ourselves. All the members’ need to be re-oriented. Anybody can emerge from nowhere to lay claims to what he is not entitled to. That is when you see people from overseas claiming Diasporas. They cannot share in the fund the government has provided, it is not done. A lot of people are suffering here and when there is fund for us, we will just see people coming to lay claims. I think the major problem we have is distribution network. The government can come in if they see it as a business, but they don’t see it that way; they just wanted to help. We needed a way to control the piracy and it is high time we acted.

What parts are you playing to the success of the Actor Guild of Nigeria?
Firstly, I am not part of the executive, I am just a member. I think sometimes you would do more works as collective body by promoting and representing the image of the Guild positively. Also by using our positions as the key actors to ensure this body is not being ridiculed and compelling people who are not worthy to be in the Guild.

It seems you are not comfortable with Ibinabo’s administration?
I am. She is really doing well; coming out of a lot of controversies and ensuring the body remains in one accord. She has been able to close the gap between the executives and the members. She has formed a task force to curtail people and make sure actors in the body are there to act and not to prostitute.

What is your take on the emerging nude films being produced?
That is what I was saying. A lot of people came into the industry to do all sorts with the mindset of making waves by all means. It is after one gives them a hand that you see them going naked all in an attempt to become a star. To me, it is uncalled for. You don’t have to show the size of your boobs before people know that you have penchant for acting. We are warning them, especially those girls and the directors that want to use the industry as a medium to flaunt their bodies. We are taking necessary steps to stop whoever wants to tarnish the image of the association.

You are speaking authoritatively; have you also dreamt to become the next president of the association?
 No. I have not thought of that, but if tomorrow comes, I can go. For me, I always nurture the idea to lead my people. It might not be Nollywood.


That means you are aspiring to contest for a political office?
It is not necessarily to contest for any political office.  As a good citizen and an ambassador I have to be interested in the politics of the nation because that is where our dreams and aspiration fall into. We have the right to speak and contribute to the growth of this country.

Are you comfortable with the governance of President Jonathan?
Fine; I am comfortable with it, but you know when you are in governance, there are lots of challenges and oppositions I think so far, President Goodluck Jonathan has been doing well. Take a look at the power sector. He is making sure that Nigerians enjoy electricity and other things. At the same time, he still faces other political issues on the new and the old but all these lies on the aspiration of the Nigerian youths. The problem is that the new generations are no more asking questions and it is until we begin to ask questions that our leaders will begin to think right. The Nigerian dream we are talking about is the youths.

How is the experience like with your being close to the president?
He is the president and we are the subjects. I don’t think it is a bad idea to be closed to my President.

Even your intimacy with his children?
If you are closer to a president’s child, that means you are close to the president too. His children are still in their tender age. If you are close to me now you will be close to my family as well. To me, it is a great privilege to be close to the commander in chief of the most popular black nation. It is an honour and I feel very proud to have such opportunity.  The experience has been awesome and interesting because it is a big open family.