Veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) has reflected on life at 65, saying he considers every new day a blessing because neither of his parents lived to celebrate their 60th birthday.
Speaking in a recent interview with actress and media personality Morayo Afolabi-Brown, the Nollywood icon described his current stage of life as “extra time,” adding that gratitude now defines his outlook.
“For me, being 65, I feel like I’m living on extra time right now. My parents didn’t make 60. My life is one of gratitude. I’m happy to be alive,” he said.
RMD also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape, noting that more people are creating opportunities through entrepreneurship.
“I am happy to be a Nigerian at this moment. I am happy to see that I am living at a time when more people are self-employed than ever before,” he added.
On how he has remained youthful over the years, the actor credited healthy eating and regular exercise but said his greatest secret is his mindset.
According to him, refusing to think or behave like an old man has played a key role in helping him maintain his youthful energy.
“I try to eat right as much as I can. I exercise. But there is something that I abide by, which was said by another older person: the only way for an old person to stay young is to never let the old person in. So I do not, in any way, let the old person in,” he said.
RMD also explained that his outlook on life is reflected in the way he dresses, insisting that he has no plans to abandon his signature style simply because of his age.
“I mean, I could have worn bùbá and ṣọ̀kọ̀tò like… why? My first child is 43. Till today, if he still looks at me when I dress up, he will just hiss. I’m not giving up now, so there is no way I’m going to give up,” he added.
The screen icon also revealed that his love for fashion often becomes a topic of conversation at home, joking that he owns more clothes and shoes than his wife.
“My wife calls my wardrobe ‘Shein.’ I temporarily have more clothes and shoes than she does. I love to dress for the occasion, so if I am going to a wedding, I like to respect the people that I am going to meet.”
On his marriage, RMD described himself as someone who still believes in romance but admitted that times have changed.
“I am an incurable romantic. These days, it’s never flowers and chocolates anymore. Ladies like money now.”
He recalled one memorable moment when he received the biggest cheque of his career and immediately decided to hand it over to his wife.
“The biggest cheque I ever had in my hand was a ₦100 million cheque. So I said, ‘Give it to my wife.’ When she got it, she said, ‘You want me to keep it for your children?’ I said, ‘No, keep it for yourself.’
The actor also spoke passionately about his career, saying acting has never felt like work because he genuinely enjoys it.
“I don’t consider what I do work. If God gives you a trade or a job that you do not feel repressed going into, it’s just like you. I’m sure you look forward to coming to work. As I look forward to working, when you find the work of your hand, God just blesses you,” he continued.
According to RMD, many people struggle in life because they have not discovered the purpose for which they were created.
“Most of us who don’t feel blessed haven’t actually landed in the work of our hand. It might look like it’s not important, but I think it’s the most important thing to find that thing you were put here to do. The minute you are in alignment with everything that was divinely spoken about you, life becomes easy. But most of us are out of alignment,” he added.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
