Richard Mofe-Damijo is like the wine that gets better with age. In this chat with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, the former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, speaks on his role as a commissioner, acting, desire for mentoring young people and certain things he had to go through on his journey to stardom.
Would you say you were lucky or you had to pay the price to be where you are today?
All I faced to get to where I am today is a story for another day, but everything goes through a process. I was one of the best graduating students in my class; so all this did not happen overnight. When I graduated in 1983 from the University of Benin, I was one of the best in my class. I went for youth service. But when I came to Lagos, all that disappeared.
Even way back in 1984, it didn’t seem to matter whether you had a first class or second class upper degree. In my time, it was worse because late Major General Tunde Idiagbon just came in and there was an embargo on employment. Things were bad as they are now.
But The Point here is that I persevered, I had an idea of what I wanted and that was to be an actor. If I couldn’t do it on stage, I wanted to do it on television. Journalism came as an accident, though I have always loved intellectual works. Usually when we finished a play, if I was not in it, we would sit down and do some analysis. So, I was talking about a play I just watched and a journalist, Segun Adeleke, asked me if I could write all I just said. I went home, did a write-up and gave it to him. Few days later, I saw my name in an article in the centre spread of Punch. That was how my journalism career started, as everyone wanted me to review a play. I reviewed plays and music. So, I have always done five things at the same time. At some point, I was teaching, acting, practising journalism and doing other things.
By the time I started to do law in 1997, it was out of restlessness as well because I was looking at what else I could do. I constantly look for how to engage my mind and it has helped.
What I do with my Instagram page is to try and say as much sense as possible over picture so that I am not just there for the sake of the fashion. I am there because I have a need to talk to young people and share my experience with them. I share little bit of my life pieces with them. My last post talked about the fact that I have been going round with Glo on their mega music tour.
I had a chance to travel with musicians and comedians, and I saw the impact the likes of Olamide, 2face, Bovi and Basket Mouth have on people. Over and above all the adulation and noise, you would want to be able to direct the younger ones. I am a parent also, do not forget. My first son is 33 years old, second is 32 years old, the first girl is 30 years old and then the younger ones 16 and 14. So, you want to, at every point, have a positive impact on them. It is sometimes self-imposed and being a role model is probably the most difficult thing for me because you need to careful.
Why did you sell your magazine outfit?
I just sold it, it was a business. When I was ready to go somewhere else, I sold it. As I told you, I am restless.
Why do you like keeping bald head?
The thing is that since I cannot have an afro, I just keep it clean. My hair does not grow; so it is hard to have an afro. There was a time I had afro when I was younger.
Why are you always in the midst of younger actors, instead of your contemporaries?
I think it is natural for me, may be because I became a parent quite early. I just love the company of younger people, it energises me. I try to learn from them; it is not a bad experience actually when you are with younger people because it makes you understand how things are and where the future is drifting towards. I find it as an opportunity to impact some of the positive things I learnt in my own formative years. I am proud of the kind of association I have with people, especially within the entertainment industry. There are some of them who are doing very well and I am very proud of them for what they have achieved. For me, that is the biggest pay back that anyone can bring to the table.
being a role model is probably the most difficult thing for me because you need to careful…it is partly responsible for why I was always looking for things to do to put food on the table
You are presently filming ‘Crossroads,’ a movie in which you are playing a police man. Why did you decide to be part of the project?
It is a good human interest story. Joseph, my character, is a standard man and patriotic. He loves his family and he is also dedicated to his job. You don’t find such character like that every day. At this point in our history, we need characters like that to be portrayed.
Was it a tough decision to shave your beards for the movie?
It was never a tough decision. When you are working, you are working. I hate to shave, so once I have the opportunity not to work, I just allow my beards to grow. Shaving is probably the most personal thing that I hate to do most because I have to stop everything I am doing to shave. Ironically, it is also one of the things that calm me. If I need to calm down, all I need to do is try to shave because one has to be calm to shave.
How did you cope with having children early and the responsibilities?
It was difficult; it is partly responsible for why I was always looking for things to do to put food on the table.
As an actor, what has been the most depressive and impressive situation in which you found yourself?
There is not one depressive thing because I don’t dwell on it. Everything is a wing to fly on. So, if you do not get it right today, the next day you would try to get it right. What depresses me is that there is not enough support structure. There should be support structure for everyone, no matter what it is that you are doing.
How much support were you able to provide for the creative industry as a commissioner in Delta State?
When I was in government, my main focus was on young people. When the buck doesn’t stop on your table, there is a minimum you can do. But I did the best I could. I made sure I touched as many people as I could touch. For me, that was an experience I would never forget and it also brought me closer to my people. I became more involved in the welfare of my people and that was a big plus.
Don’t you feel you could have done more, especially for the entertainment industry?
You don’t do more from The Point of view of the government. I believe that if all I could do was to inspire people with the example of my life, then I would have done something. I don’t have to be a governor to change the society. I didn’t run for an elective office, I was appointed. If I really wanted to be a politician, I would not be here.
I like politics when it is progressive. I don’t like the politics of fear. Do you like the politics we have now? Is it not the politics of fear? Where is your President? I like to be able to say what I feel within the limit of the law. The scenario we have now is a complete breakdown of law and order, and that is not good. It is manifesting in different kinds, including agitations and kidnappings.
