My friendship with Jide Kosoko now family affair – Adebayo Salami
Veteran actors Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello and Prince Jide Kosoko speak to Naomi Chima about their friendship, polygamy, career among other things
Looking back at your illustrious career, what is the most significant change you have witnessed in the industry, and how have you adapted to it?
The most significant change I’ve witnessed is the impact of technology. I started with stage performances, moved to television, did reviews, and transitioned to cinema. The cinema culture today is very different. Things evolve, and I adapt by staying in tune with the times. I give everything to Almighty God, who directs my path. Acting is static; language doesn’t matter. You must interpret roles well for the audience to understand the character and message.
Who has been the most influential person in your career?
If I am to mention my generation or even my senior colleagues, I must talk about the late Dr. Hubert Ogunde. Ogunde inspired me to become an actor, and I was privileged to be part of some of his productions before his passing. Productions like Aropin N’teniyan and Jaiye Femi taught me a lot about dedication and creativity. I also served as a production assistant for Aropin N’teniyan. These two mentors greatly influenced my growth and shaped my career.
You share a long-standing friendship with Jide Kosoko. How would you describe your relationship, both professionally and personally?
Our friendship is very cordial. We’ve been colleagues for a very long time and understand each other very well. Though I am slightly senior to him, we work together as equals. It’s always been a pleasant and professional partnership, and we have mutual respect’ for each other’s craft. There’s no memory we share outside film together than a cordial relationship that has turned us into families now. I call him my brother and he calls me ‘Egbon’ which also means brother. We advise each other and we talk a lot, both as friends and family too.
How did you meet him?
We’ve been in the industry together for a long time. And the relationship is very tight. It has turned into a family relationship. He has attended a lot of my family functions, and my children’s weddings, and I’ve attended many of his children’s naming ceremonies.
Do you hang out?
As colleagues in the industry, we hang out together because people always invite us to parties. And you know we are too busy to go to clubs together or something.
You transitioned from stage play to screen. What were some of the challenges you faced during this transition, and how did you overcome them?
Challenges exist in every production. In the mid-1980s, producing my first celluloid movie required resources, patience, and determination, as everything was cinema-focused without home video. I studied the situation, researched, and adapted. Transitioning from stage to screen meant mastering cinema’s technical and creative demands while keeping storytelling authentic. That is why I can boldly say that the Yoruba sector started Nigeria’s cinema culture. To succeed, you must keep learning.
The Nigerian film industry has undergone a lot of significant changes over the years. How do you think these changes have impacted the industry and what opportunities and challenges do you foresee?
As I said, we moved from stage to television and now cinema. You must adapt. As the Yoruba says, to throw a stone at a bird, you must watch its direction. Today, the focus is on streaming platforms like YouTube and cinema. What I like there is that it will make the producers and actors work very hard to meet up with any standard of what is going on now. On Netflix’s withdrawal from Nigeria, they have their policies. We must do our best to meet their expectations, hoping they return to sponsor us.
How do you balance your role as a father and grandfather?
I am somebody that has a special interest, may I say interest or so, in children. To my children, let me put it that way. I like to give them my time, no matter how busy I am. No matter how busy I am, I have created time for them. I like them to move nearer to me and I the same.
As a polygamist, how have you managed to balance your family life with your demanding career?
I’m a polygamist. But what God has done in my life in terms of polygamy is just God’s design. And in those days, if you ask me what is my regret so far, I would want to say polygamous life. But I don’t regret it. There is something we call destiny. I believe that’s my destiny. God has come around and helped me. He gave me the grace to manage the house. So, in my house, we have peace of mind. In my house, we love each other. The children love each other. In my house, we collaborate to do many things. No fight, whatever the case may be. So, God has been very kind to me in all ramifications.
How do you manage to divide the love and attention equally among your wives?
Yes, I can say that God created jealousy in women. I don’t know what you can do. But you know you have different ways of being jealous. Some are violent. Some are silent, just to keep the peace. But the fact is that those days we got married, were different from today. In those days, those who were married were screened by their mothers and counselled on how to be patient, submissive and all that. But ladies nowadays don’t want to be submissive, and that’s the problem. So, it’s quite different. So, it makes it easy for me to understand each of my wives. Sharing love or not sharing love, they know I love them. They discuss it with me. I don’t do anything behind any of them. I have only two wives but they have many children. And we understand each other. Wherever I am, I love to go home because there is peace in my home.
Looking at this age and time, there are a lot of up-and-coming actors and producers. Do you ever have a problem with ageism or typecasting in your career and how do you overcome it?
An acting career, to me, is about moving with the times. When we started, I played the lover boy. Only a stupid producer would cast me as a lover boy now. It moved gradually to uncle, father, and now grandpa. To be a good producer, casting must be done properly. A good story without proper casting is ruined. I don’t feel bad about my roles, but if someone is cast as my son and I’m not old enough to be their father, I address it professionally.
What are the things you are grateful for?
Looking back, I thank Almighty Allah for the peace and progress I have today. Everyone has something to ask from God, but I must confess, that God has been very kind to me. In the industry, I’m still relevant, and I’m fulfilled. At almost 73, I have my own house, eat what I want, drive the cars I like, and I am content. I thank God for all He has done for me.
How did acting begin for you?
I started acting in 1964 with the Young Concert Party. Growing up in Lagos Island, I loved anything related to culture and participated in cultural events. I was inspired by Ogunde’s programme, ‘The Village Doctor’, and his acting style. I decided to become an actor and joined my first group, paying out of my pocket. I pursued acting purely out of passion, not for financial gain.
What are some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
The challenges I faced along the way were significant. My family didn’t want me to get into acting at all. It was serious, especially considering where I come from, Ilorin. I had to run out of the house and go to squat with a friend, he is late now. He had a church. I had to be sleeping in the church. That was the challenge. Later, I understood what I was going through. One of my uncles just said, “Leave him. He knows what he’s doing. Leave him. God will direct him.” That’s how it happened.
If you had not been an actor, what other professional career would you have gone into?
I wanted to be a lawyer. I must confess to you, but like I said earlier, destiny is the source. Femi is a lawyer, my son Sodiq is a geologist and Tope is a computer scientist. But destiny has played its role. They left their disciplines to pursue acting. That’s destiny.
How do you relieve stress?
To relieve stress, I listen to indigenous music; I love it very much. My favourite musician is Yusuf Olatunji. Regarding social media, I prefer Instagram. I learned a lot of lessons from Facebook, so I don’t go there. On Instagram, people post their daily routines, and I understand a lot about them. I choose who to follow.
What is your daily routine?
I wake up and pray first, then take a bath and do a little exercise. After that, I have my breakfast and go out for whatever assignments I have to do.
What is your favourite food?
I like Amala. It gives me energy, though I don’t eat too much. I also enjoy rice and stew.
How does it feel seeing your children in the same profession, did you choose it for them?
I don’t force my children into anything. I encourage them to pursue what they want. I provide advice and support, but I never impose my will on them.
What was your reaction when Femi slapped you at a movie scene?
Being on set with my children feels overwhelming and happy. I never prayed for them to take after me; it’s destiny, God’s design. As for Femi Adebayo slapping me in a movie, I didn’t see him as my son while acting and wasn’t offended. After the scene, he apologised, but I told him, “For what? Do what you’re supposed to do.” I even said, “I would have slapped you if you didn’t do it right.”
As a polygamist, would you advise your children to follow in the same footsteps?
No. I always tell them, “Don’t ever take a second wife in your life, simply because everybody cannot be like Bello. I know what it takes to be a polygamist. But God has been very kind to me. It was common in my generation, but in your generation now, you can kill.
What would be your final advice to polygamists out there, to married men and women, especially in light of the rise in divorce rates and marital issues?
Well, my candid advice to them is to be patient. No matter how long you court each other before you get married, you cannot understand each other, until you get old. So when you get married, and start living together, start mending all the problems that you see. So, you need a lot of patience to be able to be together in marriage.
Looking at the Nigerian economy, what is your advice to the government and the people?
Let the government and the citizens do the right thing. The present situation in this country now is not a new thing. It has not just started. You have to keep praying to Almighty Allah to settle everything and join hands together with whoever wants to do it to make the country better because it’s for the betterment of everyone of us.
We are like twins with different characters – Jide Kosoko
What’s your favorite childhood memory and how did it shape your life and career?
I was very stubborn; it helped me fight my way through. Back then, no parents wanted their children in this game, but my stubbornness worked out. I faced challenges and was beaten at times, but I didn’t break. When I was young, my father told me that as a prince, I shouldn’t be entertaining people. He believed dramatics were for people of no integrity, even though they enjoyed the popularity. They didn’t want me in the field. But I had a passion. I remember performing on stage once, and when I got home, they beat me. That day, Hubert Ogunde parked his car outside, and an uncle pointed to him, saying that’s who I was trying to emulate. That was a turning point for me. They gave me conditions: no missing school, Sunday school, or lessons, and only Saturdays for rehearsals. That was my freedom, and I became a changed person. Parents who didn’t want their children near me started seeing a different Jide.
As the head of your branch of King Kosoko Royal Family, how do you balance your upbringing with your passion for acting?
People are not getting it. I am a royal prince already. That I’m eventually pronounced head of my branch of the King Kosoko Royal Family by my age and experience in the management of things is just a formality. Ordinarily, I have been playing the role, which involves regulating my people, administering our shared property, and caring for the welfare of my family. It’s just the same now. I continue to apply my experience in managing people within my family, just as I’ve always done.
What was one of the most memorable roles you’ve had to play as an actor?
I’ve played many roles, and I doubt there’s any I haven’t played in some way. Some I’ve done better than others. So, pinpointing one is the main challenge now because as far as I’m concerned, every role is challenging. An actor is like a chameleon. Whatever the character is, you become that character. Even a minor role, whether one or 10 minutes, is serious, and you must deliver with satisfaction.
What advice would you want to give to up-and-coming actors in the Nigerian film industry?
Training is key. You’ll learn the business as you go. You might be lucky, maybe you do something on social media and think you are making money. But you still need training as an actor. If you want to become a professional actor, you must pass through some form of training. People have talent, but your talent needs to be properly coordinated. No matter how talented you are, somebody must still take you through the rudiments of the profession so you can use that talent properly and not abuse it.
As a veteran, what changes do you hope to witness in the industry?
When we started, we began with screen cinema using projectors, but in 1985, due to Nigeria’s structural adjustment programme and the decline of the naira, we couldn’t afford post-production abroad. We then shifted to home video in 1985, which was gradually accepted. Technology has since changed acting processes, and there’s no serious competition. Today, we have actors who can compete globally. What I’ve been aiming for is a well-structured, coordinated industry. Right now, it’s not structured. We lack a regulatory body that can enforce industry ethics. Associations like the Actors Guild of Nigeria or TAMPAN can’t truly impact or discipline. A regulatory body should ensure compliance, and those who don’t adhere to the rules should face consequences. And when sanctioned, you cannot act. For instance, the Nigerian Film and Video Censor Board is government-controlled, they do classification. Just like they watch films and tell you the categories. Yes, they try to assume the position of a regulatory body, but it’s not working.
What do you do to remain relevant in the ever-changing Nollywood landscape?
First, it’s the grace of God. Anything keeping me fit is through God’s direction. I’m a free person and don’t keep malice. I eat when I need to and take care of my health. I don’t joke with my medications. I advise people to regularly check their bodies—don’t just dismiss constant headaches as hunger. Anyone can die anytime, but it’s important to try your best. If death comes, to God be the glory. Obey your doctors and their regulations, and be cautious of products being sold—some are good, some are bad.
What philosophy guides your approach to acting and life generally?
You must be there to help others. I feel content and happy assisting people, and if I can’t, I feel bad. Always try to impact others positively; it leads to a steady and happy life. The goal is to be happy. When you’re happy, a day without smiling is a bad day. We all get annoyed, but when it happens, voice it out, forget it, and move on. I don’t like sitting alone; I enjoy being with like-minded people. Be mindful of who you mingle with—avoid those who act badly without cause. I play a lot of indoor games like candy crush, scrabble, monopoly, cards, and chess. I also play table tennis. It helps keep my mind refreshed when I’m not working on my script.
What is your favorite sport, or food?
I play volleyball. For food, I love white rice with fresh ice fish stew and plantain. Even when I eat chicken, I prefer live chicken. I also enjoy gbegiri and amala, along with other local dishes. I can eat rice three times a day.
How does your faith influence your work and decisions as a person?
I am a Muslim by birth, but I am a Christian by practice. One thing is key in life, when you have faith, your faith must come along with discipline. When you have faith and the discipline is not part of it, then that faith cannot stand.
How did you meet and start working with Salami Adebayo?
It’s been a long time. We started doing films together precisely in 1978 or 1979 thereabout.
What was your first impression of each other?
It’s a long story. I am the leader and founder of Jide Kosoko Theatre Company, and then Adebayo Salami was a member of the Awada Kerikeri organisation, which was headed then by the late Ojo Ladipo. Their group became more popular and a full-time group, but mine was like a part-time thing at Apapa. We used to rehearse at the same place, a club called “Sunny Q Club, where he performs weekly. They would rehearse in the morning because it was full-time for them, and we would rehearse in the evening. The relationship started growing from there, especially between the late Ladipo and myself. But sometime in 1978 or thereabout, Ladipo passed on and Bello became the leader of the group, and we became very close. We became even closer when I was a guest artist on their pidgin English programme. Apart from being a consultant to their group, I also played a certain role in the programme. That was how the relationship started growing, and we are here now — we have actually done a lot together.
What is the secret to maintaining such a long-lasting relationship?
There is no doubt about it; if the relationship was not benefitting both sides, it would have collapsed. So, one way or the other, we have benefitted and are still benefitting from each other.
Can you tell us about some of the notable projects you both worked on together?
Awada Kerikeri was a programme that they had on television, Nigerian Television Authority then. It is one of the projects that I enjoyed doing together with Oga Bello. I was a guest, and some of my team members too joined. When it comes to cinema, I was at the forefront of organising for them, and they took part in my own programmes too. The relationship is strong, and we have been together for a long time. It is now a family affair.
How has your relationship evolved over the years?
It is now a family relationship. I am close to his family, and he is close to mine. Apart from acting, we do so many other things together.
How did Awada Kerikeri impact your career?
It was on their programme, Awada Kerikeri, that I first got popularity.
What do you love most about your relationship?
We are like twins with different characters that complement each other one way or the other. He is quieter than me; he is a man who can stomach things for a long time, but I don’t. The way things are, I go straight to it. But he can still afford to keep it within himself for some time, which I don’t. So, whoever wants to penetrate us, if you want it hot, you will see me on the right, and if you want it cold, you will see him on the left. He is older than me, though; a year and three or four months older than me.
How do you handle criticism?
There is no perfect production for the public. No matter what you do, acting requires convincing millions, and some people will want it differently. Criticism is inevitable, but it’s essential for improvement.
I know that you had more than a wife, how were you able to give them equal attention and love?
Now I have only one wife. I lost my other wife before. I am contented, getting old at 70. Getting another woman at this age is madness, though some people enjoy it. In my case, I didn’t plan to have multiple wives, it just happened. I’m the only child of my parents, but I have produced enough to be part of my family now. I won’t encourage two wives. There’s jealousy and balance can be hard. It may work well in the North, where having one wife may be seen as bad.
So what legacy do you hope to leave behind as a veteran actor and to Nigerian youth who look up to you as a model?
I want to be remembered for contributing my utmost best to the growth of the industry. I’ve trained many actors and filmmakers who are doing well today. I also have children in the industry. I thank God for everything and want to be remembered for my contribution.
So after every day’s filming schedules, how do you ease stress?
I have no job today, just doing some writing and film. I’m tired and want to be on the road again. When I’m not on set or stage, other things don’t feel as important. I love moving from place to place, I’m happiest doing the job. It’s normal for me.
What is your daily routine sir?
I’m a Christian. I wake up at different times, even at midnight, to pray. Even if I start sleeping by nine or eight, I still wake up at midnight to pray, and again at 3 am and 6 am. They are short prayers, but it has been part of me since I was a young child. After the 6 am prayer, I take a bottle of water and my bath. If I’m not going anywhere, I have coffee or green tea first. Then I go through my news, watching channels on TV. I also have newspapers and books. If there is no work, I may decide to sleep again.
Do you prefer relaxation to an adventurous vacation?
Well, I do like travelling though, both locally and internationally. I doubt if there is any part of the world that I have not set my eyes on. I’ve been to Asia, I’ve been to South America, America, Canada, and Europe. I’ve been to Schengen states or countries; I’ve also been to some African countries, like Ghana, and Ivory Coast. I’ve worked in India. I enjoy travelling.
What would be your advice to Nigerians out there looking at the economic situation?
Let them be calm, Tinubu will succeed. Everything will be okay. Since I was a child, every change in government faced economic problems. It has always been like that and it will balance up. I pray God will guide our leaders right. It is not by abuse, or cursing the leaders and our country. If truly we are religious like people say, then let’s continue to be hopeful. That doesn’t mean to say we should not work. The country is hard, no doubt about it. It’s only an idiot that will say things are good. The country is very hard now, but we should keep working the way we should continue to research, do additional things for a living, and continue to pray for the leadership of the country. Yes, they might have been doing things wrongly, but I don’t believe any leader will not have the mind of doing good. The approach and method might be strange to us, but let’s continue to pray to God.
How do you balance your role as a father, grandfather and your career?
I am blessed with children, over a dozen, spread all over the world, with the majority here in Nigeria doing a lot of things. I still have four of them in the university. Usually, every Boxing Day, all my children gather at my place, and we celebrate, by doing a lot of parties and games. We have our unique way of unwrapping gifts that we buy for each other. From wherever you are, you must participate. Altogether with my grandchildren, we want to add Christmas carol this year, with all my over 20 grandchildren around. Anytime they are around me, I feel like a baby again. What we enjoy together each year is like a tonic that lasts for the whole year.
