‘How I wooed Obasanjo to act in my skit’

For Ekiti born actor, Samuel Ajibola, better known as Spiff, a role he clinched in the popular M-Net TV series ‘The Johnsons’ is one Nollywood’s brightest stars to look out for in the industry as his distinctive artistic skills and stage prowess has shown how talented he is. Samuel recently broke the internet when he featured former president Olusegun Obasanjo in one of the episodes of his new body of work entitled: ‘Dele Issues’. In a recent chat with journalists, Samuel spoke about working with the ex-president, why he is passionate about the youth, dream roles, relationship status, among others.

 

Your online skits, ‘Dele issues’ is quite popular. Why not extend to terrestrial or digital TV?

Well, the reasons for going online, for now, was done on purpose since the world is going digital these days and as such, I wanted to reach a larger audience, no place does it better than online. For now, also, the ‘Dele Issue’ skits is currently been aired on Africa Magic while plans are in the making towards a wider coverage. It will shock you that I have a lot of fans who watch the skit in USA, South Africa and other countries; they send in comments and observation on how to serve them better.

It’s been beautiful and a splendid moment putting out the skits; at first, when we released the first set, I was sceptical about the acceptance and with God on my side and my hard working management team, things have worked out well.  The comments we get to see on our Youtube page and other social media platforms have been indeed really positive.

 

How many episodes have you put out so far?

Currently, I have 13 episodes the last of which it is the ‘special education’ episode.

 

Is ‘Dele Issue’ a part of a word you are playing with?

I have always loved literature as a young boy, it was something I really fell in love with, so I just wanted to be at work always. So, in actual sense, ‘Dele Issue’ can also pass for ‘Daily Issues’.

 

Speaking of the special episodes, how were you able to get the ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo?

My meeting with the ex-President was something that did not take so much time; I am just a product of grace. It was something that came up after a relationship with my management.

There was a youth dialogue programme held in Ogun State where I was the anchor and the ex-President was also present and because the discussion of the day was youth-related, I already had the idea that using him was further going to help pass across my message about youth involvement in politics.

 

So, how did you get him to agree?

No, I have always been a confidential person and that’s how I grew up. I am the firstborn of the family and I have a lot of responsibilities so I always have to be forward and be prepared, so I grew up with such a mentality. I was only amazed and happy that I could stand right in front of him and I briefed him about my project and that was it.

 

When Obasanjo heard the idea, was he given a script?

Yes, like I mentioned earlier, I had a script and cameras on standby where my crew were sitting, waiting for him. So, we just gave it to him to read and in less than five minutes he was like, “let start” and I responded with “Yes sir” and I was shocked when he said should go ahead with shooting.

 

For someone who had not acted before, how long did it take to shoot his part?

It will shock you that Baba was done in less than five minutes and we only did just one take.

 

From his attitude on set, will you say Obasanjo is a good actor, judging by what you saw?

Well, for me, he is good at it and honestly I was amazed when I realised that we only recorded at first shot because, in all fairness, I have met actors that have to go through three or more takes to get a particular scene done; I am not saying it is an easy task but some people are just blessed more than others.

I was surprised because we all know Baba has a funny side with his personality and it was something people loved to see so I was happy I had the opportunity and privilege to be able to be the one that made it happen with my talents. Also, there were things I wasn’t actually expecting to get from him that I had to even hold on not to laugh.

 

A lot of people have tagged Obasanjo a comedian, will you accept that fact too?

I think he is a funny person with my first experience with him; he even cracked a joke with his small young children that were with him and we were laughing. I think he said something like, ‘don’t worry, when you grow up you will marry my grandson”, he is just so funny.

 

With the special edition; what was the major focus?

Apart from just being an actor, I also have a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that I am focusing on which is the need dwell more on education and youth involvement in policymaking.

The idea about that particular skit with the ex-President is to further create a cautious awareness in the minds of people, especially the youth who are complaining at all times. That should not be the only contributions we offer; I don’t have to be involved in politics to make an impact in whatever I am doing and affect the country in a positive way.

Also, one of the motives of the skit is to debunk the belief that youths are too young to be involved in politics or decision-making process because they lack experience and that they might abuse power. I think that is a wrong philosophy. In the world we are today, which is a global village, the international arena is changing, and things have been ignored.

 

Are your parents supportive of your career?

They have been really supportive and prayerful for me in whatever I do. So, in the subject of paying parents too, I also let them know if I have something to do and if I have anywhere to go to and they have been seeing my moves in my career so they know how I live and they have been able to understand that.

 

With ‘Dele Issue’, don’t you think your popular character, ‘Spiff’ will suffer?

I don’t think so, I am an actor and I should not be stereotyped to a particular role, I am flexible and I can play other better roles. ‘Dele Issue’ cannot, in any way, affect my ‘Spiff’ character at all. I know how to play my cards effectively.

 

Talking about being different, does Sam have other dream roles?

Yes, I have a dream role. I am not just an actor but a trained one. I have knowledge about acting and learnt more about mental acting. I did a lot of research and I am someone that is always inspired to do something different and unique that hasn’t been done before, hence the talent I brought out.

But apart from that the whole ‘spiff’ character that everyone knows me for, I am looking forward to acting different characters that people have not seen. I don’t mind being a soldier, lover boy, amongst others; but in essence, I have always wanted a character that makes a good impression on people at the end of the day.

 

Is Sam in a relationship?

No, I am not in any relationship.

 

Which female celebrities are you crushing on?

Hmm! Linda Ejiofor is beautiful and I like Rita Dominic. More importantly, my number one crush always is Mercy Aigbe.

 

Your dream woman?

I will like my woman to be sexy, has a fine face, tall, dress well, smell well etc.

 

Even if she is an actress you don’t mind?

No! I can’t date an actress.