Veteran Actor, Otunba Akin Lewis has charged Nigerian youths to desist from using human being as ritual describing it as a waste of time and effort adding that working hard and smart is the surest antidote to poverty.
The popular actor made this revelation recently while featuring on Olayinka Agboola-anchored radio show (Parrot Xtra Hour On Radio) broadcast live on Splash 105.5fm in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State.
He further added that the passion he had and still has for the movie industry was a key factor that helped him to rise to the pinnacle of his career.
He said, “When we first started, there was not much financial gain in it; my first official payment as an actor was 24 kobo. When I later joined the corporate world, I did not leave the acting industry. Even when I retired in 2019 from the corporate world, I had to return fully to the movie industry.
Continuing, “It was when I got married and began to have children that I realized that I needed more money and I decided to venture into other businesses to complement what I was making in the industry. The only money ritual I know is hard work and doing what God has destined for your life”.
He, however, urged the youths of the country to be passionate about their chosen professions and not run after financial inducement or gain, urging them not to be discouraged by the challenges they will surely encounter.
“There are challenges in every profession. In fact, I made my name in the movie industry before I went back to school, children of nowadays are reluctant to read but it is advisable for them to get serious in their academic pursuits and whatever knowledge they gain is theirs”.
He stated that his father’s desire was for him to become a renowned Engineer, revealing that his passion for the industry made him to be resolute in pursuing a career in the film movie industry despite the initial opposition from his father.
“When I wanted to become an actor, it became a problem for me, because he wanted me to be an Engineer and be ahead of my peers. My father was a giant who could discipline anyone no matter how big or huge you were. I had to inform him before venturing into it but when you have a gift from God it cannot be hidden.
Speaking further, “My dad was an Engineer, he always travelled around and I had the opportunity of travelling with him in his journeys. I grew up in different places across the country and learnt many languages. My dad always bought different comics, magazines and books for me and I became very active in the literature class while I was at Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan where I had my secondary education. When I wanted to become an actor, he objected but later changed his mind when he saw the seriousness in me”.
The famous movie producer further revealed that he got the idea of the popular drama series ‘Why Worry’ even as a young man that just finished his secondary education.
“I am one of the most highly trained dramatists in Nigeria. When I graduated from the university, our boss Ambassador Yemi Farounbi called and gave us what we needed to excel as professionals.
He further revealed that Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, Prof Bode Sowande, Wole Soyinka among others played great roles in his career stating that he was determined to succeed in the entertainment industry despite all the challenges and bottlenecks in the industry.
He further revealed that the likes of Dele Odule, Mr. Latin, Jaiye Kuti, Bimbo Oshin among others are good role models in the entertainment and movie industry that the young ones can emulate.
The revered actor further stated that his dad, Engineer Lewis, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, Prof Bode Sowande, Prof Wole Soyinka, Revd Segun Agbetuyi, a compatriot he met in the corporate world have greatly inspired him at different stages of his life.
Otunba Akin Lewis added that his latest movie titled ‘The Groom’ is a product of long-term planning that is about to be launched on May 14. He submitted that the movie is meant to address the recurring challenges currently being experienced in marriages.
Packaged by Dare Raji and Olawale Awe
