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I was  asked to adopt an Igbo name to remain relevant in Nollyhood

Young, candid and versatile actress Eniola Badmus has an imposing figure that stands her out in Nigeria ’s movie scene. The Ogun State–born crossover actress, who holds a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, in this interview with KUNLEAKINRINADE, shares her experiences in the movie world, life and many more
ow long have you been in the movie industry?
I actually started in 1997 with the English sector of Nollywood. After about two years, I later moved to the Yoruba genre. I featured in Love Affair, Sister-Sister, Brutal Times, Silver Spoon and a host of other movies in English.
Why did you abandon English home video?
Actually, I didn’t abandon English home video completely; I still do TV series in English. I have about two of such soaps running on some television channels now. Though, there was a time I almost left but I didn’t abandon the genre completely. I noticed that there was a lot of tribalism there. About two or three producers actually approached me to consider adopting an Igbo name which I rejected. I told them I would not sell my birth right. More so, my parents won’t be happy with me. I’m from a very good home. So I told them that if they couldn’t accept me for what I am, I would rather go to where I’ll be accepted better and that was why I crossed over to the Yoruba sector. But now, I still do TV series. But there’s a project in the pipeline now that has to do with the English sector. They’ve been calling me back now.
When you consider the two extremes of Nigeria ’s movie industry, which of them is more lucrative?
Let me say the English sector; the fee is high and lucrative, but the Yoruba sector too is not doing badly at all. I must confess, the Yoruba sector made me as an actress. But in terms of money, Yoruba genre is far behind and that is basically because they help each other, sometime without a fee being attached. Yoruba people believe in helping each other and they promote each other’s work with little or no fee attached
What is the greatest price you’ve ever paid for stardom?
I don’t even know because I’ve paid a lot.
Can you mention some of them?
I can’t really figure out some of them. But there was a relationship I had and because of my movie career I lost it.
How?
Not all Nigerian men can stand our acting career. They’ll want you around them and we are hardly there as location assignments take the better part of us. Basically, you are caught between your career and relationship. Though, some actresses may not own up to this, but that’s usually the pains of stardom. Right now, I’m enjoying the kind of relationship I’m into. He loves my job and he likes me for who and what I am.
Is it true that you often go physical with people?
Let me tell you something. I’m Eniola Badmus .Nobody can be like me. I might try to be someone else on set but actually I’m still myself. Again, I don’t engage myself in any mess. Anything that has to do with rubbish I don’t engage in it. I do my own thing my own way. All the same, I’m very careful about what I do. First thing, I remember is my background. I know the kind of family I have, especially my father. I can’t do anything that would drag the name of my family in the mud. They might say I fight a lot because sometimes, I can be violent but all the same, I try to put my emotions under control because I feel some people are looking up to me in the society. I don’t do nonsense. I don’t do rubbish. I hold my father in a very high esteem hence. I will never mess up my family’s name. I don’t pick quarrels with people. I play with people a lot. Only those who don’t know me well conclude that I’m arrogant.
So, what could easily annoy you?
When you take me for granted. Some people would want to play on one’s intelligence and that could easily make one angry. For me to fight with somebody means that person must have over-reached him or her self. Ordinarily, I play a lot. I live for others to live.
Why movie out of all human endeavours?
It’s a passion I picked right from my elementary school days. When I was a secondary school student I used to be the president of the school’s drama group called Fellow ‘D’ (Fellow Dramatist)
How many movies have you featured in since?
I’ve lost count. I can’t just count them. But the only thing that makes me happy is when I look through my C.V, I feel happy knowing that I have done adverts for Celtel (now Zain) and Central Bank of Nigeria
Which out of these two adverts made you smile to bank?
The Celtel advert because it includes the TV commercial, print, billboards and souvenirs while the pay was well over a million bucks.
What about product endorsement?
No. But there is one coming up soon.
Can you mention the name of the product?
No. Let’s leave it for now (laughter)
Which of the movies you featured in do you consider your best?
All, because if I don’t like a script I won’t even accept the role.
Have you produced any movie yet?
No. As an actress, must I be a producer? I’m contented with my acting career. To me, I feel it is not necessary combining both.
What do you do when you are not on set?
I go out to see my friends and we go to party.
Is it true that you frequent nightclubs?
Yes I do.
What do you enjoy in clubbing?
Enjoy? Must you know?
Of course, this is an up-close?
I enjoy anything that is good in clubbing. I like mixing up with people. I like making friends with people. I like clubbing and that’s because I love dancing.
Okay. How good are you at dancing?
Fairly well
Tell me about your niche as an actress?
As an actress, I can do any role. I’m good at any role and it is only by doing that you can know good actors from bad ones.
What was your childhood like?
My childhood was fun. I enjoyed it. I had a nice upbringing. It was good and fantastic because I have lovely parents.
What was their initial reaction to your acting career?
At first they didn’t like it. They were just telling me to stop and later I told them it was what I liked to do and they are happy now because I’m excelling in it. They’ve been encouraging me to keep the family’s flag flying.
What else do you do apart from acting?
 I buy and sell. I sell jewellery, bags, shoes, clothes and beads. I really know how to make good beads. One of my step mothers is into bead making. She taught me. Nearly all members of our household know how to make beads.
If you haven’t taken to acting, what would you have done?
I would have been working in an office, probably in an oil company. But I don’t see myself doing that because I don’t like working for someone. More so. I’m not an early riser. I stay late in bed. At least you can see that when you came in.
Which of the caucuses in Yoruba sector do you belong?
Well, I don’t belong to any particular one but I trained while I was a student of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan under Alhaji Gbolagade Akinpelu popularly called ‘Ogun Majek’ in Ibadan . I did my graduation there because you must know about some things as a professional artiste.
As an insider, what is the greatest challenge facing Yoruba movies?
We really need to move up because we’ve got a whole lot of lapses. I know that things would get better. Though there are some holes that must be filled up. There are technical problems. Sound is one of them. What they call script in Yoruba movie genre is not really script. They only do script conference which they refer to as screen play which is not in true sense of it all. Most scripts are not properly treated and that gives directors a lot of problems. Another thing I do not like at all is that some scripts do not dialogue. They don’t break them down. When you are having a long shot, the director might want you to say something that would be different from what he expects of you in the close-shot. People should be able to sit down in their homes to watch movies properly shot. Lighting is also very important.
What about wrong casting?
Yeah, that’s also very important and that can only stop when you don’t consider people on the basis of friendship but skill. What makes a mess of a movie is when you don’t consider people who merit each role.
So, what’s missing here?
I think it is education. Orientation too is important. A lady would join the movie industry in less than two or three months she becomes a producer. Tell me, what does she know about movies? May be because she has money and can gather a few people together. Even someone who has spent about five years in the industry would be better off. These are the things that must be changed. If you must produce be intellectual about it. Fine, a producer is a businessman but it is better if they bring the money and people will do it for them. But in this case, they would want to bring the money and at the same time do it themselves and supervise the project. Wouldn’t they make a mess of the whole thing? So, a whole lot is wrong with the system.
Have you ever had cause to turn down scripts?
Oh, a lot, especially if I get a script and I feel it is not fantastic; I’ll drop it because my name is at stake.
Even when the pay is fat?
It doesn’t matter. You spend the money but your name remains. I know a good script when I see one. There are some particular people in the industry I cannot work with, because I know they do rubbish. Even if they should bring N100m I won’t do it because their films lack quality. But don’t ask me for their names.
Tell me about your private life?
What is it you want to know about my private life? Is it not about relationships? Well, I’m single and ready to mingle.
Single?
Yes!
But you mentioned earlier on that you have an on-going relationship?
No, I’m still single and ready to mingle.
What turns you on in a man?
When I see a man that is good looking, tall and dark in complexion
Why not fair-complexioned ones?
No, I like them tall, dark and intelligent.
When did you start dating as a young girl?
When I was 23
What ran through your mind while in a guy’s arm for the first time?
What ran through my mind? That’s no big deal…