Victoria Akanke Ajibola, actor, entrepreneur and film producer, is a theatre arts practitioner. She shared her life story with TUNDE ADELEKE. Excerpts;
How was growing up like for you?
I was born and bred in Ibadan. I was born about 45 years ago to the family of the late Mr James and Mrs Emily Asake Mopelola Ajibola; my mother is from Benin, Edo State, Benin while my father hailed from Ede in Osun State. So, obviously, that makes me an indigene of Osun State.
“Omo a ji la’laoso, a ji f’ojogbogbodara bi egbin”.
I’m also proud of my dual heritage because I’m equally an Edo woman. I have been blessed with this dual heritage and that has given me a more balanced view of life. Growing up was not easy as a lady who wanted to make a career out of the arts. The road was rough; it was a serious uphill climb for a lady of my upbringing. However, those series of events made me tick; my constant frustrations growing up were what made me a deep actor and a blessed filmmaker.
You mentioned that growing up was tough, can you throw more light?
My mum and dad came from different cultures, and my dad died early. When my dad died in 1988, life became extremely difficult. At some point, I had to go and live with my sister, who was already married then. It was a sour experience that I don’t like to talk about. You see, it’s not good for someone to live with anyone other than their parents. It was really tough! My sister was not really the problem, but the husband. He was damn too harsh on me. It was like he didn’t want anybody near them because he was leaning on my sister.
When I was to pay WAEC fees for my secondary school certificate examinations, the man didn’t allow my sister to pay in time he made life so difficult for me that I had to go to my uncle to collect the money when the time for the registration had almost closed. I had to lie that it was when they sent me out of class for the money that my uncle met me on the way. Even then, he still went to enquire from my uncle. He descended on me while I was asleep and beat the hell out of me. He beat me to the extent that he broke his hand and at that point, he used a broken bottle on my head.
Another instance was the day I was coming from where I went to fetch water and he asked the children where I was, and the children told him one man was discussing with me. He flogged me to the point of stripping me naked, not minding the fact that I was already a grown-up girl.
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I began my primary school education at Wesley College Practising School situated at Number 1, Elekuro, Ibadan, where I obtained my First School Leaving Certificate. My secondary education was at Elekuro High School, also in Ibadan and Maryland Comprehensive College, Ikeja in Lagos where I sat for my Secondary School Certificate examinations. I went for further education at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, where I bagged a diploma in Computer Science. I did not relent as I went further to the University of Ibadan, all of this in-between building an acting career for myself.
What challenges are peculiar to you as a female artiste in Nollywood?
As a female artiste, my first and very touching challenge was when a film marketer slapped me because of the payment due to me for one of my films entitled OMO LOCAL. And he even insisted on having an improper relationship with me before he could pay me. That would be my most challenging moment and a major challenge facing up-and-coming film producers in my industry. This experience left a major scar on me and some of the trauma still lives with me today. This is just one of the myriads of challenges I have faced as a film producer and an actress, but I did not allow that to deter me; rather, I’m motivated to be great. So, I can become a beacon of light, guiding the paths of many young ladies coming through the ranks and would want to be like me.
So, how was your issue with the marketer resolved?
Well, other marketers waded into the matter because my own people fumed and were furious, and I wanted to call the police in, but some of his colleagues begged on his behalf. Epsalom, in particular, was helpful and promised to collect the money for me and he fulfilled the promise.
Isn’t there a mechanism for enforcing discipline in the industry?
That’s a difficult task. In the industry, it’s everybody to himself. The major problem with enforcing discipline is that the national body that is supposed to enforce discipline shies away from doing so; they don’t want to ‘offend’ the marketers, so as not to lose the money they collect from them.
Can you take us through your career journey?
I started my career as a faith-based film and theatre practitioner with the All Nigeria Conference Of Evangelical Drama Ministers (ANCEDRAM) led by Evangelist Mike Bamiloye from 1996 to 1998. In my quest to do more for myself, I went secular as I proceeded to join the film and theatre organisation of Chief Rasaq Olayiwola (Ojopagogo) in 1998. I cannot but mention my mentoring programme, albeit for a short while with Alhaji Niyi Adedayo (Age Productions).
As they say, no pain, no gain; no trial, no triumph, all I can say is despite the stress and travails of growth and development, I’m blessed to have passed through the hands of very good professionals and thoroughbred film practitioners.
To date, I have produced over 20 films by myself, including Arewa Ejo; Ibawi Ojo Kan; Eru Eleru; Morohundiya; Paramole; Akanke Alamala; Omo Oba; Dasofunjo; Oba Obinrin and a host of others. I am also a caterer, handling both African and intercontinental dishes.
How did you find love?
This is very deep; I don’t even know how to go about it. Well, as an Aries, according to my Zodiac sign, it is said that to get a real lover or a serious one is usually a daunting task. However, just like the proverbial toad would say ‘don’t get to the point where you ask me about my tail’. So, I don’t like to talk further about that. All I can say is, I am in love and I’ll love to be discreet about it.
What major pranks did you play as a youth?
People’s feelings and state of mind really matter to me from when I was young. So, I am not a prank freak and I don’t like playing pranks with people or anyone pranking me. It’s vice versa. Nothing is really a joke and people’s mental health is in grades and you don’t know what prank will tip it over.
What would you consider your favourite food?
You can call me a foodie. I love all African dishes and I don’t discriminate against any food. I love to even try new dishes, even continental dishes, but my loyalty still lies in deep African food, especially the soups.
What genre of music do you enjoy listening to?
I love mainly Christian songs, like tracks performed by Tope Alabi, Bunmi Akinlalu and others. I’m a deep person and I love songs that resonate with my spirit. I love songs that move me to thank God. I’m a product of God’s divine grace and mercy. I also love when a song moves me to pray.
How do you spend your leisure time?
My hobbies are cooking, creative ventures and performance. So, I spend my leisure time cooking, listening to music, reading scripts and sleeping most time. So, I’m majorly an indoor person and that’s a shocker to many who consider me as an outgoing person. I work in a highly-engaging film industry that demands 24/7 and 12 months-a-year dedication if care is not taken. So, I just have to tear myself out for a ‘me time’ and make sure I rest very well. That way, I’m refreshed and recharged to approach projects with new zeal and immense creativity.
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