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JAGUAR’s Daughter, OMOTOLA Tells City People
Amongst all the TV Comedy programs in the 80s, there was one that stood out due to its uniqueness, and Comedy representation. “My Belle O, My head O” stood out indeed. Families and well wishers of the program are always and ever ready to watch what await for the week.
Produced by Comic Actor Jaguar who hail from North Central part of Nigeria, Kwara state and his beautiful Wife, Grace who was a sierra leonian by birth, were host and toast of Everyone on NTA Channels and other Channels in Nigeria. Over twenty years of the demise of Jaguar, his memories will forever linger in the heart of his admirers .
Recently, FAKEYE ADERONKE met with the late Jaguar’s daughter Omotola who was at the premier of “Ojo Ale” movie which featured Veteran Artist, and in honoured of living and late veterans for life time recognition. Omotola opened up on how her late Dad made her go into acting amongst other issues.
Can we meet you and why are you here today?
I am Omotola Jaguar, the late Jaguar’s daughter. I was calles upon to submit my late Parents Pictures for recognition.
What can you say about him. Memories ? My father is one in a million. A very good man. I dont even know how to describe him. I remember both my father and mother everyday..They mean so much to me even in death. May God continue to rest their souls.
Can you recall the year your parents were demised and movies he produced?
Its over twenty years now my father died while over ten years i lost your mum. My father, Jaguar produced TV series Comedy show titled “ My Belle o, My head O”. The program was shown on all TV channels then. The program made him received the MFR Award and MON Award because the inspiration behind the
Comedy Drama was to Unite Nigerians. It was a Unique Educative program.
Since his demise, have you goten any recognition on his behal and tell us about your own movies?
Yes I have received lots of recognition. I am also a producer. Infact my father inspired me to go into acting. Infact, I’ve produced two movies so far. “ Koyewon and Oreoluwa”. The movies talk about obeying your parents and when you disobey them, there ate Consequences. I’ve always love acting and doing that even when he was.alive. infact i will say both my father and Mother inspired me to go into acting.
Where do your parent hail from and tell us about your mother as well?
My father hail from Iludun Oro in Kwara State while my mother is from sierra leone. My mother is so loving. I look so much like her. She is Jaguar Grace. She was my best friend.
How Cordial is your relationship with other Artistes?
Very Close and our relationship is very Cordial. I have a good relationship with all of them especially the Veterans, i see them as my own parents and i love them all.
Any advise for upcoming Artistes?
They should be Patient and be focused, with that , everything will be achievable.
When you were young, your father was very Pop. Did you know he was such a big Celebrity then?
Yes. I knew he was a celebrity then because as far as I can remember, I knew he was the one who went to entertain the ECOMOG at Liberia then after the war. I was still young. It was top officials who came to welcome him and his crew at Liberia Airport back then. He even did Jaguar in Liberia and so many series of his Comedy Shows before coming back to Nigeria. I also remembered during my school days. Everyone had paid except me, he wasn’t always around, so I checked the calendar and got to know that he would be in Port Harcourt. I went to Airport myself and introduced myself as Jaguar’s daughter and I was booked on a flight with my hostel wear. Though I had no idea of where he would be in Port Harcourt particularly. When I got there, I told few people at Port Harcourt airport that I’m Jaguar’s daughter and I don’t know where he is but I know he is here in Port Harcourt, before I could even finished talking, some said, he played at so so place yesterday and he will be so so today and before I knew what was happening, they had taken me to where he was. They were both shocked to see me. The next day, I was taken back to the airport and straight back to my school. There was another incident, I was stranded, I just went to a police station at Sango, introduced myself as Jaguar’s daughter and I got the needed help. I have enjoyed lots of things due to my father been a celebrity. So I knew he was a celebrity due to the way and manner lots of crowd bombard him anytime he goes on stage or move around.
Would you say the name Jaguar opened doors for you?
To be sincere, that name really opened doors for me in so many ways. In the film industry, and in all ramifications. The Veterans rallied round me when I produced my movies, they really supported me. My fathers and Mothers in the industry rallied round . I have never been stranded in life through that name.
What are some of the major qualities you picked from your father as a child?
My Father and Mother are so friendly and accomodating. He is also a giver and very funny. All these , I picked from them. Sometimes when I speak and people who don’t even know me will say, “ Are you a Comedian, that I’m a very funny person. Though I act but not the comedy aspect of it, yet that comedy still comes out because it runs in the blood.
Jaguar was a National Figure at that time he passed on.How badly dis his death affect you.?
His death affected us and it was a big blow. He died in year 2000. He was honoured with Award of MON and MFR which he read in the Newspaper but he passed on the period he was about to take it. It was later myself and my mum went to receive it on his behalf. He was popular within and outside Nigeria. He entertained the high and mighty, his death was so sudden and shocking. He never felt sick. He just traveled , came back and later said he wants to see his friend who was a DPO at Mushin Olosan Police station, later he started having pains in his Chest, the DPO even refered him to an hospital, he went there, got injection and he died. It was unexpected.
Your late Mother Grace, was such a beautiful woman who was loved by all. Off screen ,v what kind of woman and mother was she?
My mother was a very loving and caring woman. She was not only loving to we her children but including the children she trained. Our house were always filled with lots of children and people who come around. She is a Godly woman.A dependable wife and a wonderful mother. Though from sierra Leone,but turned herself into a Nigerian and speaks Yoruba language fluently. We were very close .
What do you miss the most about your iconic father?
I miss everything about him. Though his name has opened doors for me but not like when he is alive. That is why I’m working to earn my name. Most times I have to introduce myself as Jaguar’s daughter which is really helping me, but I want to work on my name so that my own name also can pave way for my children. He wasn’t that educated but God helped him to attain greatness I life before he died. Jaguar is a brand and that name can never be erased.
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