entertainment

Seasoned actor, Chika Okpala, aka Chief Zebrudaya Okorigwe Nwogbo alias 4.30, shares the highs and lows of his 62 years on earth with OZIOMA UBABUKOH

Don’t you think it is about time you quit acting?

That is exactly what I should have done, but for the economic situation in Nigeria. If not for lack of money, I shouldn’t be moving about at this old age and thrilling people with my jokes. But what can a man do? I just have to survive. I have to feed my family and train my children to the best of my ability. I have to make sure I have a place to live in. That is why I’m still in active service.

Some of your contemporaries have made money from acting. Why is your case different?

Some of my contemporaries got into show business much later than I did. Even at that, they broke out at certain times to be engaged in other things because the money wasn’t forthcoming. They returned when the film industry began to enjoy a boom, just to make money and nothing more. They cashed in on the opportunities provided by the advent of Nollywood to make money. Their activities and programmes were geared towards making money. In my own case, I couldn’t have made money because I was consistent in show business, even when there was nothing to take home. I did not break off to go to anywhere. I did not break off because I wanted to give it the impact in order to push it to the public and make people realise how drama or films could change their lives and transform society. The other people you mentioned were initially afraid to leave what they were doing to come into show business. I think the time is ripe for me to make money. I am still in show business because I have not made the money. I need it to train my children because they are still in the university. I need the money to train them. Yes, I have the MON national award, but it is time to add EY to it.