Nobody can stop me except I decide not to act —Folasade Olona

Folashade Muyibat Olona is an actress who has produced about five movies in Nollywood and has featured in over 50 movies, both in English and Yoruba sectors of Nollywood. In this interview by OLADAPO KEHINDE, she speaks about her journey into the world of acting and the passion that makes her to keep producing movies. Excerpts:

What were into you before becoming an actress?

I was actually selling ladies’ accessories both in the market and online. I am still an online marketer. My job as an actress is not affecting my business. I have dispatch men who deliver the products.

How many movies you have done so far, and which one is your favourite?

I started movie production in 2011 and I have been able to produce five movies. My first production in 2011 was Ife Ojiji. I did Awawu in 2015, and then Agbelebu Mi (My Cross) and Itakun (Obstacle) in 2018. My current production is Tani? (Who?). It will be out soon. All my movies are wonderful but I love Awawu and Agbelebu Mi because of the messages they contain. Agbelebu Mi is a true-life story. It is about something that happened to me.

How have you been coping as an actress?

It has not been easy. We have to continue inasmuch as we are contented with what we have. There are challenges which we face in life on physical and spiritual levels, which call for alert. In every field of endeavour, you should know how to pray and have faith. You should be focused, believing that someday, you will become a legend.

What are the challenges you face as an actress?

There are lots of challenges that come with being an actress. It is not even about the actors, actresses, directors and producers alone but about the movie industry generally. There have been times people said, ‘Shade, your status is too small for this character’ or ‘your stature is too small, you can’t play a married woman’s role’. But stature does not define what you do. Some people would say you are too black, you have to tone up. I am not saying that toning up is bad, becuase it is a matter of choice, but I believe that as long as actresses like Funke Akindele, Mercy Johnson keep making it in the industry with their dark complexion, I can make it, too.

Also, we don’t have good resources and sponsors. Piracy is really killing us. We are working very hard but we hardly gain anything from our hard work. The passion we have for this job is what is sustaining us. We believe that one day, everything will change for the better. There are also the issues of seniority and superiority. Someone could say, ‘I’m your senior and you have to respect me’. When you are on the field with people who don’t respect you because they think they are your seniors, it can be discouraging. But I say, respect is earned.

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I know what I want. I joined the industry because I have passion for this job. I love this job. Nobody can stop me except I decide not to act or produce movies anymore.

What motivated you to produce the movies Ife Ojiji and Awawu?

Actors, actresses and producers are like prophets who preach what benefit the people. There are things you portray in movies which impact greatly on the society. It is not just about production but also about changing the society. If you watch my movies, you will know they are unforgettable. You will learn valuable lessons from them. For instance, Ife Ojiji is about betrayal, love and loyalty. Awawu is a religious movie. It tells us we have to accept our religions; that we should not let our religions divide or define us. A woman may be in love with a Christian man but because of her faith, she may not be allowed to marry him. Some people came from families of traditional worshippers and that may be their undoing in being with people they truly love. That is what Awawu is all about.

Itakun is about a wayward lady. She believes that she has to do whatever she wants to be in control of men to the extent of betraying her elder sister. Agbelebu Mi is about a couple and the many things that are wrong with their marriage. Some people might be going through rough patches but the things that keep a marriage going are: patience, understanding, love and tolerance. Moreover, we should be prayerful. Many people were not aware of glaucoma and I brought this out in the movie. There are lots of people who are suffering from glaucoma and we have to enlighten them about it. Tani? deals with a lady that is very loyal to her husband. She prays for him almost every day… I wouldn’t want to say much about Tani? because it is not yet out. I want people to watch it.

What project are you currently working on?

I am currently working on Tani? (Who?). It is at the post-production stage.

Who is your role model and why?

I would say Rita Dominic is my role model because I like her charisma – maybe because we share the same stature, although she is fair and I am dark in complexion. I like the way she carriers herself and delivers her role. She interprets her roles very well. She puts everything into what she does. She is my role model anytime, any day.

What is your marital status?

I am single, and not searching.

What is the code you live by, and your advice for aspiring actors?

‘Contentment of the heart is the wealth of all’. When you are contented with what you have, you are free and rich. Those aspiring to be actresses should be respectful and prayerful. They should have focus. Some people have pride. Don’t look down on people because you don’t know what will happen tomorrow.