Kareem Adepoju, popularly known as Baba Wande, is one of the
pioneers of the Nigerian movie industry. In a recent interview with TRIBUNE, he spoke on his 50 years of acting, his new movie, marital life and other issues.See excerpts below:
In a matter of days, you will be celebrating your 50 years on stage as an actor, how do you feel?
I
feel good. I am very happy. I want to use this celebration to show my
appreciation to God for His goodness over my life. Looking back, I know
it must have been God who has sustained me despite many problems. It is a
great thing to be witnessing my 50th year as an actor, and that is why I
have decided to celebrate it elaborately. It is a rare privilege for
me, especially when I consider how I started and where I am today.
Looking back, do you have any regrets?
I
don’t have any regret about my career. I enjoy what I am doing. People
appreciate me anywhere I go because I always make them happy. I don’t
even know how to explain the feeling anytime I see people calling my
name and appreciating me for what I do. I don’t think about regret. I
don’t talk about it. I just want to live my everyday life thanking God
for what He has done for me.
In your 50 years, what would you describe as your most challenging role in all the movies you have featured?
That
should be Ti Oluwa Ni Ile. I wrote the story myself and it was
financed by Tunde Kelani. The most challenging part in the movie was
when we were on the river and the boat suddenly capsized.
That means you were almost drowned…
No,
we already had a rescue team on stand by in case any accident occurred.
I was not scared of taking the role because I was even excited about
the role before we shot the scene.
Who is the most special woman in your life?
My wife is the most special woman.
But you have more than one wife?
Yes,
I have two wives. They love me so much. They are happy with what I am
doing as an actor. Whether I am on location or at home, they support and
show me much love. I love them too.
If you have the chance, would you take another wife?
I am a Muslim, my religion permits me to have more than two wives.
But you are getting old…
You are correct, you can say I am old, but my wives cannot tell me I am old.
After this 50th year celebration, what are your plans for your remaining years?
Only
God knows what He plans for me. If I tell you I know, I am lying. I am
waiting for God’s direction. Anytime I wake up in the morning, my only
prayer is that God should direct me on my next plan.
You speak English, did you go to school?
Yes, I went to school, but I stopped at the secondary modern school in 1961.
What do you want God to do for you again?
I pray for good health. I want Him to continue providing for me like he has been doing for the past 50 years.
