•OGUN TAMPAN Governor, Tells City People His Story
Owolabi Ajasa is one of the most popular actors in the movie industry. He is very talented and also an interesting character to watch out for in the Nigerian movie industry. He has been in the industry for over 20 years. He is also currently the Governor of the Ogun State chapter of TAMPAN, The Theatre Arts & Motion Picture Practitioners’ Association Of Nigeria. He won 2 awards at the recent City People Movie Awards in Abeokuta. He won the Movie Icon Award while his chapter won The Most Vibrant TAMPAN Chapter Award. He spoke to City People SEUN JOSEPH at the City People Movie Award in Abeokuta on how he joined the industry and what lies ahead as the governor of the highly respected Association. Below are excerpts…
How did acting start for you?
Well, I joined the movie industry way back in 1997 under Ebun Oloyede. I joined precisely, March 1997. Olaiya Igwe is my direct boss. He taught me most things I know in the industry.
You went for service not long ago and the news was everywhere, why did you decide to go to school considering your age and your achievements?
Well, everybody knows that education is a very good legacy. I believe that without education, it may be difficult for anyone to move forward in his endeavours. I have been nursing the vision to complete my education journey up to the highest level, where I will be able to undergo the compulsory national service since I was in secondary school. But there was no money. My parents were very humble financially, so to say.
So when I joined the industry, I discovered that if you don’t have an education, you will just be stagnant. So I had it in my mind that one day will be one day, I will join the league of graduates in the industry.
So when the opportunity came to pursue a higher educational program, I also had the intention to serve my country, because I must tell you the fact, in my family, there is no graduate. And I wanted to break that jinx. I knew there is an extra-terrestrial factor that is making it difficult for us not to advance in our academic journey and I needed to break the jinx, and I thank God that I was able to achieve the feat.
How were you able to keep your people together in Abeokuta? The unity that exists among Ogun State actors is very strong. How were you able to achieve this?
God has given us the grace to listen to one another. They don’t say because the person in charge is young, they won’t listen. They follow all the laydown rules. That is why since I became Ogun State TAMPAN Governor, everybody respects and honours the office, far beyond my expectation and I also reciprocate. And everything is going in order, as expected. We get along so well and they all know the rules and regulations that guide the association.
Can you let us in briefly, on your background?
Well, I was born, bred and brought up in this Abeokuta. I attended All Saint Primary (One) School, Keita, Kobiti, Abeokuta. From there I proceeded to Na’warudeen Grammar School, Obantoko, Abeokuta. After my O’level result, I proceeded to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, where I studied Marketing for my ND and HND. And God gave me the opportunity.
Why did you choose marketing?
It’s because it’s related to our job. Once I’m done with movie production, I also know the way to market my job the best way I can. The things I have gone to school to study, I also make sure I let it materialise in my work.
How about your immediate family?
Oh… I am grateful. I have a wife and kids. Glory be to God.
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