Star of End Time Movies and Model, Obanla Olawunmi, is a fast rising thespian with a mission. In this chat with The Entertainer, Obanla opens up on her role models, ideal man, dreams, pains of growing up in a polygamous home and her mission to get girls off the streets.
Excerpts:
Tell us about growing up?
Growing up was very tough. I used to be a very stubborn girl so my mother sent me to a boarding school to learn how to cope with people and tolerate others. And it worked out well because at the boarding house, I had to change for good. Being away from my mum made me to stop fighting and quarrelling with people. I was able to cope because I learnt how to tolerate and relate with people.
How did you become a model?
I started out as a model while I was still in the university in 2003. It all began after a friend, Lilian Oko, invited me for a modelling job. But just because of the impression that models are prostitutes, I was discouraged despite having a passion for the runway. But my friend was able to help me out and she took me to her sister-in-law, Tokunbo Odedina, who later became my agent. I look up to her so much because she taught me all the things I know in the industry today. However, I had to skip a lot of jobs because I didn’t want any form of harassment; I don’t want to tarnish my image. I was well paid for the jobs especially the ones I did for magazines.
How did you come into Nollywood?
My foray into the movies was in 2009 when I featured in End Time, where I played the role of Tony Umez’s wife. Other movies that I have featured include Quest for Riches, In Search of Destiny and Aye Ore Meji. I am currently working on my movie which should be released soon.
Who are your role models?
My role model is Tokunbo Odedina because she is a strong and intelligent woman. I love her never-say-die attitude and she never runs away from challenges. My other agent, Sunday Ejiro, is also my role model. Ejiro and Odedina are like two sisters in my life. Also Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks are my role models because they have done a lot for the society. But my mum is still my greatest role model.
Today a lot of actors and actresses wear tattoos. What’s your take on tattoos?
I don’t believe in putting tattoos on my body because for me, it is not fashion; its body mutilation. Fashion is something that changes; it is never constant. Anybody that does anything on his or her body that cannot be changed is not a stylish or fashionable person. I don’t do what other people do; I live my life for myself and also to please God. However I have nothing against friends and colleagues who are into tattoos. I like being myself and I don’t smoke or drink. Artistes have to be careful the kind of message that they pass across to their fans because it is easy for them to influence people.
What project are you working on now?
I am presently working on my dream project called Wunmi Obanla Growing Girls Foundation, dedicated to young girls. I grew up with the help of a single mother who happens to be a farmer. Things were a bit difficult but my mother was there for us. She kept advising us that no matter what happens in life, we must keep dreaming so that we can achieve our dreams.
Could you share your challenges with us?
Growing up with a single mother was not an easy task. I am from a polygamous home. I never enjoyed my father until his death. But thank God for my mother who stood by her children; she was a philanthropist who touched many lives in her own way. She taught me that no matter where you find yourself or the challenges facing you, you should keep dreaming and never give up on your dreams because nothing can stop you. Mum taught us to be strong, hard working and disciplined.
So how do you hope to get girls off the streets?
Initially, we went to the streets to take care of them but it didn’t really work out. So we decided to go to their homes to see their parents because we want the voices of these girls to count. When we visited some parents we were tempted to cry. There are so many talented young girls out there whose parents do not have the resources to take good care of them and help them actualise their dreams.
And that is the objective of my NGO; to see that these girls are trained in one trade or the other so that they can be useful to themselves and their families and the society at large. We need to go back to the grassroots and teach our children good upbringing so that they can become better people. Parents should teach their children moral values. If children are trained with love, there will be a great difference in their lives and our country would be better for it. I am using my NGO to help better the lives of the less privileged who are struggling to make it in life. We teach parents not to entrust their female children to people who will lure them into certain dangers. Young girls need to be informed about sex education and parents have a role to play in this.
So how are you getting funding for your NGO?
It comes from money from my modelling and acting career.
Tell us about your ideal man?
My dream man must have the fear of God so that when I offend him, it will be very easy for him to forgive me. He must be strong willed and must not be a pretender. I just love real men who know how to treat a lady well.
What are your dreams?
I want to see myself all over Africa and the entire world with my message of hope for young girls. I also want to be one of the greatest actresses to have come from this part of the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment