UK-based Nigerian, Enny Allison, is an all-round entertainer. How? He is an actor, a singer, a producer, a scriptwriter, a dancer, an event compere and a presenter. So, what is more to being an all-rounder in the entertainment industry? Nothing, so to speak. Meanwhile, in a recent interview with City People via WhatsApp, Allison spoke at length about how he became an entertainer, some of his accomplishments so far, and some of the things he also has in the pipeline.
To start with, how has living abroad affected on Allison’s career, especially, the acting aspect? He had this to say: “ Living abroad has opened my eyes to a lot of different ideas when it comes to movie making,” he hinted. He then further explained that unlike what obtains in Nigeria whereby producing a short and simple movie could take as few as four days, it is not like that in the UK. He emphatically said that producing same short movie where he is based could take six to 8 months!
And he added that such short-circuiting of the process by most Nigerian movie producers usually have a bad effect on most of the Nigerian movies. So, as a way of trying to change the process, he said he had been using his exposure to the proper process abroad to make a positive impact on the Nigerian movie circuit. And that statement led the discussion to asking him about the movies he has produced for both the Nigerian and international movie markets. So, how many movies has he produced so far?
“I am the Executive Producer of 2 movies I shot sometime in 2019, which I did in collaboration with star actress, Jaiye Kuti. As a matter of fact, the movies were jointly produced with Hamzat Abolore, who is also a resident in the UK. The movies are entitled: ‘Ninu Awon Orun’ and ‘Odi Owo’, which we hope to release sometime soon.” He revealed. He thereafter eulogised Jaye Kuti as his direct boss and mentor in whom he is well pleased. “ She puts me through a lot of acting tactics,” he mused.
Now, who exactly influenced his career path? Could it have been the same Jaiye Kuti as well? Not really. He started his reaction to that question by saying acting has always been his passion since his teenage years. As a matter of fact, Allison named a deceased broadcast media personalities in the persons of Gbenga Adeboye, Toba Opaleye and Kola Olawuyi as a major influence on his career choice. But how? He disclosed that too.
“Honestly, acting as a professional has always been something I love right from my teenage years. And fortunately, I grew up around well-known legends such as the late Gbenga Adeboye, Toba Opaleye and Kola Olawuyi. The thing is, an elder brother of mine who is a broadcaster popularly known as Shoshogirisho, worked directly with them as a fellow broadcast media entertainers of diverse callings in the 90s. And as a young boy, I would usually accompany my brother to the studio to observe them exhibiting their talents. And sometimes too, they would visit and hold meetings in our own house. So, that direct exposure to such big talents really influenced my exploration into entertainment,” he narrated.
And flowing from that response, Allison was asked about those he looked up to in the movie industry par se and he said he had always admired many Nollywood actors. And prominent among those he admired happened to be Charles Olumo popularly known as Baba Agbako in Yoruba movies. And also, the likes of Segun Arinze is one actor he said he admired his action movies. Then, he mentioned Alex Osuji, Pete Edoche, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, and did not forget to mention his already professed mentor and boss, Jaiye Kuti, as among those thespians he had always looked up to.
So, when did he feature in his first movie? “ I started appearing in soap opera in the UK through an agency called PHA,” he disclosed. And added that he was part of the cast of the movies entitled: “Coronation Street” and “Holy Oaks” as a backup actor in the UK. He said he also appeared in a few UK adverts and some modeling jobs as well, through the PHA Agency. And on how he juggles everything he does all together, he asserted that “acting is like a therapy for him”. And hinted that acting is his favourite of all the things he does because being in action on set gives him a sense of happiness and fulfillment.
But how about music which he also showed interest, is he not doing anything in that regard? “ I have many projects in the pipeline. Apart from shooting and producing movies, I’m working on my music career too,” he declared. And went on to disclose that he was actually cooking up something in the aspect of music with a top artiste in Nigeria. He said when the time was right, he would unveil his plan in that regard to the world.
But by way of comparison and considering the success he has been making of his careers, does he think he would have covered the same mileage, if he had not relocated to the UK? Hear him: “Being in the UK or Nigeria does not determine my success because anywhere I stay in the world, the ability to work hard and stay positive determine how successful I become. Once you work hard, everything good would come, “ he rationalised.
And it must have been part of his working hard strategy that informed his plan to come into the country before the end of the year, to set up a film and music marketing company like he revealed to City People. He said his first project on his arrival in the country would be to shoot of a video of a comic Fuji album by his brother, Shoshogirisho, titled: “Ogun Owo” featuring Fuji stars, Sefiu Alao, Pasuma, Sule Alao Malaika, as well as Islamic music star, Ruka Gawat, and Yoruba comic actor, Harejan. The audio of the album is already making waves among music lovers in the country.
And finally, as a good looking young man, how does Allison cope with his female fans? That question was posed to him, and he said matter-of-factly that he handles his female fans like he handles all other fans. “They express how much I’m being appreciated and I cherish their love and support.” He said. And he reiterated that, there was no difference in the way he deals with his male and female fans, before concluding that, he is always looking forward to getting his fans entertained because without them, there is zero fun and entertainment to savour.
– Saheed Ojubanire
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