Regina Askia-Williams (formerly Regina Askia) in a recent interview talks about the secret of her marriage and reasons she left the movie industry to become a practising nurse in the United States of America.
On why she became a nurse in USA: “There comes a point in everybody’s life when you begin to wonder what meaning you have made of your life. We have all been put in this world to make a difference to humanity and leave this world a little better than we met it. The way we choose to do this leaves us fulfilled or unfulfilled. Caring for someone as a nurse gives me the experience and skills to make a practical difference, and I love that.
I am a people’s person, a social person, and a nurse is socially oriented. Acting is also a way to make a difference but it was not enough, especially the way it is set up in Nigeria. No royalties, no job security, no investment tools for health plans and retirement. With acting, there is the necessity to maintain a front; a sort of image which you could use for endorsements, and so on. A level of “fakeness” is required. Now, where does that stop? It gets difficult to be true to who you really are as a person and having to tow the line of being politically correct, or keeping up appearances, or saying what you think will make everybody happy just to be liked. I cannot live like that.
I have always been an army of one. Like me or hate me, I am who I am. I love the freedom to be true to self. That does not mean that I will completely stop acting. However, you will now know me as a nurse; a skilled health care provider.”
How she narrowly escaped in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre in the US: ” I was getting ready for work and was running late because I had stayed up to print all these flyers to promote the visit of the Conference of Mayors to Nigeria. This was an event that was a brain child of Renaissance Network Africa, a group in which I played a prominent role. RNA sold it to the Lagos State Water Front Development Project and LSWD contracted Mr Wanle Akinboboye to execute it on the international front, and I ended working with Mr Wanle Akinboboye (who was my boss at that time) on this project at the International Office suites on the 79th floor of the WTC North Tower.
Just when I was ready to go, my husband said: ‘Regina, your office is on fire. A plane crashed into it.’ I was annoyed by what seemed like a careless talk and I talked back smack. But he said: ‘For real, it’s on television. I put my bags down and sat to watch the most memorable event in American history. I remember Mr Akinboboye calling and being so relieved I hadn’t gone in yet. Such a sad day that was. May all my co-workers and all whom we lost continue to rest in perfect peace. So, you see, I was spared for a reason. I got work to do. Please, God, heal the world. Teach us to love each other and let there be peace.”
On her male admirers: ” I don’t have people trying to be funny. I appreciate they respect me enough not to go there, understanding that I am with someone on whatever terms we both have agreed on.
Beauty secrets: “Inner beauty will always replenish the outward looks. Be at peace with yourself and with the universe. Be positive. Let your God-self come through. Let go and let God.”
On the secret of her marriage: “Lol!! There is no silver bullet. Give it your best shot. Stay if it makes happy, and walk if it does not. Most importantly though, give careful consideration to the effects and consequences of your actions, especially on your children, and choose your battles,” she told The Nation.
