reason last year following his arrest and detention by officers of
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) on the assumption that he
was in possession of hard drugs believed to be cocaine.
says 'Beggars, Agberos my greatest headache', denies shooting film on
his NDLEA ordeal ?
For more than one month he was subjected to public humiliation and
at the end of it all, the court vindicated him, and ordered that he
be paid the sum of N25 million for his unlawful detention.
However, since the court handed down the verdict, the actor has never
known peace in the hands of street beggars and Area boys popularly
known as Agberos who would never stop trailing him and asking for
alms.
He shares his ordeal with Showtime Celebrity. He also dismissed
insinuationthat he is currently shooting a film to document his NDLEA
ordeal. Excerpt:
Mr Babatunde Omidina, a.k.a. Baba Suwe
So nobody introduced you into acting?
Nobody introduced me into acting. All I knew was that they always had
their practices and that was how I also started practising with some
other people. But after we started, some people came to us and asked
to know where I learnt how to act. I told them I didn't learn it from
anywhere. They told me that I had to register. So since I didn't have
any boss, I went to the Osumare theatre group and spent six months
with them. After then, I was allowed to register.
So which was your first movie?
I didn't start acting in other people's movies. I started with
producing my own movies but back then, we still used the stage because
there was no film as at then.
So how much was your first salary when you just started?
The first money we collected was when we started acting on TV. When we
first started on NTA,, we collected N650. When we went to LTV 8, we
were paid N150. Channel 7 gave us N200 per episode.
Why did you choose to wear that black make-up in your movies?
What happend was that when comedy just started in Nigeria, it started
from the likes of Baba Sala, Baba Mero, John Bull and others, and each
had his dress code. That was how I picked up my black makeup and big
robe costume.
So what response did you get from people as a result of your costume?
People liked it. I even wish to go back to that same costume in my next movie.
That's true. One noticed you don't wear such heavy makeup nowadays. Why?
I still wear make up but it's not as heavy as I used to wear it in
those days. The reason is because I noticed that the modern day people
don't fansy suchheavy makeup anymore. So my colleagues advised me to
stop the heavy makeup.
And what did your fans say after you stopped wearing the heavy make-up?
People liked the heavy makeup character. And they usually get amazed
whenever they see me without my heavy makeup. In my movies, I usually
act like an illiterate old man. So I had to really look like an
illiterate- that'swhat brought about that dressing.
Baba Suwe
Is it true that NDLEA hasn't paid your N25m compensation?
Yes, it's true. They haven't paid me.
Why?
The reason is because they went to the Appeal Court. So we are still in court.
They didn't specify when they are going to pay?
I don't know when they are going to pay me.
But are they saying that they won't pay you?
They haven't said so.
Why did you decide to live in Ikorodu instead of VGC, Abuja etc?
Most Yoruba artistes live here because it's peaceful.
What's your next project?
I'm working on my next movie titled From City To Village.
Is it true that producers don't give scripts to actors/actresses who
don't belong to their caucus?
That's not true. As long as you are good, you'll get invited. So also
is the issue of sexual harrasment- they don't force any lady to have
sex with anybody. When a lady likes a man, she is free to date him.
But if she doesn't like him, there's nothing anybody can do about it.
So how do you cope with ladies. Do ladies run after you?
No they don't run after me because I'm ugly.
Who has been taking care of you after your wife's death?
I've been lonely after my wife's death but I have to be careful before
going into another marriage. Before she died, we were best friends and
we were used to each other. So I can't marry a lady whom my children
and family don't support. If God says I'll get married then, I will.
So who takes care of your children?
My sisters and mother do that for me.
What about your meals. Who cooks for you?
My younger brother's wife does that.
Can you be a polygamist?
No I can't be a polygamist, I don't like it. I have just four children
and I don't intend to have more children
What if you re-marry and the woman wants children?
I don't intend to have more children.
Learnt that you are shooting a film to document your
NDLEA ordeal ?
I'm not shooting any movie in that respect. It's not yet time because
we arestill in court. If I'll shoot any movie, it depends on the
outcome of the case.
How do you relax?
Whenever I'm not on set, I like to play Ludo.
Do you drink?
No I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't like women.
What do you like in a lady?
I like a lady with good character, someone with same purpose, whom my
children and family like. She must also be a fervent Muslim. I don't
really have preference when it comes to physical quality.
This interview was culled and edited from vanguardng.com news