Samuel is a son of veteran Nollywood comedy actor, Kayode Olasehinde otherwise called Pa James or Ajirebi. He talks about his father’s life off the klieg lights with GBENGA ADENIJI.
Tell us about yourself.
I am Samuel Olaoluwa Olasehinde; a fresh
graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where I
studied law. My parents are Mr. and Mrs. Kayode Olasehinde.
graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, where I
studied law. My parents are Mr. and Mrs. Kayode Olasehinde.
What are your recollections growing up with your father?
While I was young, I recall that my
father was not an extrovert. He was not the playing type but
nonetheless, he used to tell my two younger brothers and I didactic
tales. He also took us to the zoo in the University of Ibadan. I nearly
misbehaved during the visit one day and I was saved from putting my hand
in the mouth of a lion in its cage.
father was not an extrovert. He was not the playing type but
nonetheless, he used to tell my two younger brothers and I didactic
tales. He also took us to the zoo in the University of Ibadan. I nearly
misbehaved during the visit one day and I was saved from putting my hand
in the mouth of a lion in its cage.
Your father cuts the picture of a hilarious person especially as he plays comic roles. Is he also the same at home?
My father is a no-nonsense person. He is
also very principled. Besides, the humorous part of him is something
the public knows but outside this comic figure in movies is a calm,
quiet and straightforward person. He is almost a complete opposite of
what people see on the outside.
also very principled. Besides, the humorous part of him is something
the public knows but outside this comic figure in movies is a calm,
quiet and straightforward person. He is almost a complete opposite of
what people see on the outside.
Are you saying he does not portray his comic art in movies at home?
Being an actor, he is expected to be a
carrier of several personalities. There are times he can switch to a
comical mood but trust me, those moments are usually brief. One always
enjoys the moments because his humour is laced with mature touch of
comedy. But things shortly return to normal after the short, humorous
moments. It is like in secondary school when a bell is rung for the end
of a break time.
carrier of several personalities. There are times he can switch to a
comical mood but trust me, those moments are usually brief. One always
enjoys the moments because his humour is laced with mature touch of
comedy. But things shortly return to normal after the short, humorous
moments. It is like in secondary school when a bell is rung for the end
of a break time.
Does he use the cane to enforce discipline?
Oh my! He is a wonderful
father. He does not even use the cane to correct any erring child, he
uses blows. In all honesty, he hardly uses corporal punishment to
discipline us whenever we offend. But if he resorts to that, then the
child must have really done something that, beyond reasonable doubt, he
or she deserves to be punished. If he has to punish a child, then that
child is in for it.
father. He does not even use the cane to correct any erring child, he
uses blows. In all honesty, he hardly uses corporal punishment to
discipline us whenever we offend. But if he resorts to that, then the
child must have really done something that, beyond reasonable doubt, he
or she deserves to be punished. If he has to punish a child, then that
child is in for it.
What made you study law since you already have an interest in acting?
It is a family choice. My father, mother
and I made the choice. The choice was probably an enlightenment from my
parents and not that I was forced to do it. Normally, I would have
chosen theatre if the choice was left alone for me to make. It would be a
tool for my business and to know what copyright is all about. It thus
became something I bought into and gave it a try.
and I made the choice. The choice was probably an enlightenment from my
parents and not that I was forced to do it. Normally, I would have
chosen theatre if the choice was left alone for me to make. It would be a
tool for my business and to know what copyright is all about. It thus
became something I bought into and gave it a try.
How many films did you feature in before going to the university?
There are many and I cannot remember them.
Would you go into acting or practise law now that you have completed your studies?
I am going into acting. It is the real
deal for me though I can add my law experience into it. At OAU, I was
always in the Dramatic Arts department and partook in many plays there.
Whenever anybody was looking for me, the person was sure to find me not
in the Faculty of Law but in the Dramatic Arts department.
deal for me though I can add my law experience into it. At OAU, I was
always in the Dramatic Arts department and partook in many plays there.
Whenever anybody was looking for me, the person was sure to find me not
in the Faculty of Law but in the Dramatic Arts department.
Does your father’s name earn you preferential treatment from lecturers and school mates?
I am not sure of preferential treatment
but one thing is that the name opens doors for me. It opens doors that
ordinarily would not have opened if I were not the child of Pa James.
Sometimes, I could go to a place and be asked to come back for what I
went for. But someone there could identify me as ‘Pa James’ son and the
response would be like, ‘Oh! You are his son, come and let me attend to
you. He is my best actor.’
but one thing is that the name opens doors for me. It opens doors that
ordinarily would not have opened if I were not the child of Pa James.
Sometimes, I could go to a place and be asked to come back for what I
went for. But someone there could identify me as ‘Pa James’ son and the
response would be like, ‘Oh! You are his son, come and let me attend to
you. He is my best actor.’
Did he visit you in school?
My father preferred to stay outside the
school gate and call me to meet him there. There was a time he helped me
to bring my load to school when I was staying in Angola Hall as a
freshman. As we entered the room, some friends who recognised him
instantly started calling others. One shouted, ‘People in blocks J and K
come and see Pa. James.’ As my father saw that a crowd was gathering,
he spent few minutes and left. Since then, he decided to stay somewhere
around the entrance to the school for me to meet him.
school gate and call me to meet him there. There was a time he helped me
to bring my load to school when I was staying in Angola Hall as a
freshman. As we entered the room, some friends who recognised him
instantly started calling others. One shouted, ‘People in blocks J and K
come and see Pa. James.’ As my father saw that a crowd was gathering,
he spent few minutes and left. Since then, he decided to stay somewhere
around the entrance to the school for me to meet him.
How does he relax?
It has not crossed my mind to observe
how he relaxes. But one thing that I have noticed is that he prefers to
stay indoors anytime he does not have anything to do. It is a form of
relaxation. He enjoys listening to news on radio. He also rarely attends
parties. One would see him at a party if he is a compere at the event.
how he relaxes. But one thing that I have noticed is that he prefers to
stay indoors anytime he does not have anything to do. It is a form of
relaxation. He enjoys listening to news on radio. He also rarely attends
parties. One would see him at a party if he is a compere at the event.
There was a time he produced
a movie but did not reap well from it as a result of the antics of
those who reportedly marketed the work. Did he tell you about it?
a movie but did not reap well from it as a result of the antics of
those who reportedly marketed the work. Did he tell you about it?
I figured most of what happened then
through observation. He did not sit me down to tell me. But there was a
time we were talking along a similar line and I chipped in words of
encouragement that he could do it in certain ways. He only said, ‘Okay.’
That is my father for you.
through observation. He did not sit me down to tell me. But there was a
time we were talking along a similar line and I chipped in words of
encouragement that he could do it in certain ways. He only said, ‘Okay.’
That is my father for you.
What major piece of advice has he given you?
He had advised me in several ways. But
the one I would not forget was when he told me that the way they did
theatre when he started had not generated economic boom. He said he
decided to give us the best education because he was sure that if we
dabbled into theatre, we would do it better. He thereafter told me to
make sure that I learnt all I needed to so I could do better. I am
always conscious of that advice. In as much as I am drama conscious, I
am also excellence driven because my father has given me the nudge to go
all the way and excel. That has formed the bedrock of how I think about
my career.
the one I would not forget was when he told me that the way they did
theatre when he started had not generated economic boom. He said he
decided to give us the best education because he was sure that if we
dabbled into theatre, we would do it better. He thereafter told me to
make sure that I learnt all I needed to so I could do better. I am
always conscious of that advice. In as much as I am drama conscious, I
am also excellence driven because my father has given me the nudge to go
all the way and excel. That has formed the bedrock of how I think about
my career.
Would you attribute his
desire to ensure that his children get quality education to his own
inability to receive university education?
desire to ensure that his children get quality education to his own
inability to receive university education?
I do not think it was because he stopped
education at primary level. I think it is because of two things.
Firstly, it is about the rurality of where we come from in Kwara State.
It is an area that is not too urbanised.
education at primary level. I think it is because of two things.
Firstly, it is about the rurality of where we come from in Kwara State.
It is an area that is not too urbanised.
Secondly, he has seen how well educated
people think outside the box and make great things happen. Also, he has
seen how people without much education have to team up with educated
people before they can get things done. Instead of allowing his children
become people who coax others before they can achieve their aims, he
would rather support them to become people that make things happen.
people think outside the box and make great things happen. Also, he has
seen how people without much education have to team up with educated
people before they can get things done. Instead of allowing his children
become people who coax others before they can achieve their aims, he
would rather support them to become people that make things happen.
Did he tell you that he met his wife at a movie location even though she was not an actress?
My father is a typical African father. A typical African father hardly tells his children his romance story.
How did you then hear about it?
I read it like you did. My mother told me.
Did she tell you what attracted her in your father?
(Laughs).She did tell me some things but they are things I consider classified.
What is his favourite food?
I know he likes pounded yam.
What is his favourite drink?
I have no idea but I know he likes pap. He also likes tea but it must not be watery.
Does he do any exercises?
I told him that he needs to work out and he asked me if he should be running about.
Does he have any preference for any music?
I am not sure of that.
Who are his friends?
I know him to be somebody without close
or intimate friendship, the type Yoruba call, ‘kori kosun.’ However, I
have seen him being close to people. I have seen him being close to an
actor who is a neighbour, Big Abass (Ade Ajiboye). I know my big daddy,
Ajobiewe as a friend of my father. There are others but I do not know
the depth of their relationship with him.
or intimate friendship, the type Yoruba call, ‘kori kosun.’ However, I
have seen him being close to people. I have seen him being close to an
actor who is a neighbour, Big Abass (Ade Ajiboye). I know my big daddy,
Ajobiewe as a friend of my father. There are others but I do not know
the depth of their relationship with him.
Your father has two popular
nicknames, Ajirebi and Pa James; he earned in the Papa Ajasco comedy.
Which of these stage names do you call him?
nicknames, Ajirebi and Pa James; he earned in the Papa Ajasco comedy.
Which of these stage names do you call him?
I said earlier that my father is a
typical African father and one can hardly call African fathers by their
aliases. But sometimes if I want to play I call him, ‘Aji.’
typical African father and one can hardly call African fathers by their
aliases. But sometimes if I want to play I call him, ‘Aji.’
How does he respond to it?
He would just say ‘Hun.’
Did he tell you the story of how he started acting?
I really cannot say I have a detailed
story about it. But I know that he was formerly working in a
multinational company in those days. At a point, he combined acting with
his work. One day, he was fired because he overstayed at a movie
location and got to work late.
story about it. But I know that he was formerly working in a
multinational company in those days. At a point, he combined acting with
his work. One day, he was fired because he overstayed at a movie
location and got to work late.
Your father has acted in many movies. Which one do you like most and why?
I like all his roles in the Papa Ajasco comedy series. In Papa Ajasco, he remains my best character.
Recently he turned 60, how
did he celebrate it with his family members and what are your views
about his contributions to the nation’s movie industry?
did he celebrate it with his family members and what are your views
about his contributions to the nation’s movie industry?
We did not celebrate his birthday the
day he turned 60. We intend to celebrate it on Sunday (today) with a
thanksgiving service. My view on his contributions to the movie
industry, even if I were not his son, is that Kayode Olasehinde is an
enigmatic part of the Nigerian movie industry. He has been a model to
several actors including myself. I have learnt from him how to be good
at what one does and be popular yet conservative. He has made his art
known to the world yet not for showmanship. I will always treasure that.
A lot of people tell me about him being their best actor. At 60 and
going forward, I wish for him to serve as a point of consultation for
younger artistes and to have more than he has now even financially.
day he turned 60. We intend to celebrate it on Sunday (today) with a
thanksgiving service. My view on his contributions to the movie
industry, even if I were not his son, is that Kayode Olasehinde is an
enigmatic part of the Nigerian movie industry. He has been a model to
several actors including myself. I have learnt from him how to be good
at what one does and be popular yet conservative. He has made his art
known to the world yet not for showmanship. I will always treasure that.
A lot of people tell me about him being their best actor. At 60 and
going forward, I wish for him to serve as a point of consultation for
younger artistes and to have more than he has now even financially.
How has he been able to stay off scandals?
Like I said earlier, I observed most
things about him. He did not tell me. My father hates noise, he is
contented and does not talk too much. For a person like that, one can
hardly know much about him. If not that he has a son who acts, people
would not know his family. Before now, people used to ask me if I were
the only child. They did not know about my other brothers even though
those ones had featured in movies at some points. My younger brother is
into Christian drama. He is a drama coordinator in his school in Kwara
State while the other is the president of the drama group in a secondary
school he attends.
things about him. He did not tell me. My father hates noise, he is
contented and does not talk too much. For a person like that, one can
hardly know much about him. If not that he has a son who acts, people
would not know his family. Before now, people used to ask me if I were
the only child. They did not know about my other brothers even though
those ones had featured in movies at some points. My younger brother is
into Christian drama. He is a drama coordinator in his school in Kwara
State while the other is the president of the drama group in a secondary
school he attends.
What are his views on Nollywood especially the Yoruba genre?
He desires a change in the distribution
of advantages for all members. He is of the opinion that the genre
should be one that all the practitioners would benefit from once you
have contributed to its growth. On the technicality, he believes that
the Yoruba genre is growing and that there is room for improvement.
of advantages for all members. He is of the opinion that the genre
should be one that all the practitioners would benefit from once you
have contributed to its growth. On the technicality, he believes that
the Yoruba genre is growing and that there is room for improvement.
What are his likes and dislikes?
He likes hard working and trustful
people but detests lies and dishonesty. If one lies to him, one could
lose him in trust. He also hates wastages be it human, material or
financial.
people but detests lies and dishonesty. If one lies to him, one could
lose him in trust. He also hates wastages be it human, material or
financial.
What are his regrets?
I think he will be in the best position to answer that question if there is any.
How does he settle disagreements with his wife?
My father is someone who speaks his
mind. He has a way he does his things and get along well with his wife.
They have been married for over 20 years and weathered the storm
together.
mind. He has a way he does his things and get along well with his wife.
They have been married for over 20 years and weathered the storm
together.
How does he manage his female fans?
Honestly, I have no idea because whenever they meet him, I would not be there.
