Odunlade Adekola is the biggest Yoruba actor at the moment and indeed the most prominent brand that section of Nollywood has had for a while. Photo: Instagram
It is difficult to mention any actor that is as popular as Odunlade Adekola in Nollywood let alone a more prominent name in the Yoruba section of the movie industry in Nigeria.
So
adored by lovers of Yoruba movies in Nigeria and beyond is the tall
actor and producer that the risk of exaggeration is remote if one begins
to pour the water of superlatives on him.
To
put it as it is, Odunlade Adekola is the biggest Yoruba actor at the
moment and indeed the most prominent brand that section of Nollywood has
had for a while. He is easily in the frontline when any compilation of
the list of those dictating the pace of the Yoruba movie industry is
compiled.
Born on December 31, 1978
in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, Odunlade attended St John’s Primary
School for his primary education and St. Peter’s College also in
Abeokuta where he obtained the West African School Certificate
Examination. He proceeded to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic where he
reportedly received a diploma certificate and began acting in 1996.
That
same year, he joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts
Practitioners and was under the tutelage of late actor and producer, Isola Durojaiye better known as Alasari.
Known
as a jack-of-all-trades as far as movie production is concerned,
Odunlade seemingly excels in all; scripting, producing, directing and
starring in several films over the years.
Like
everyone who has achieved a measure of greatness, he did not achieve
the feat on a platter of gold. He earned it by being humble enough and
ready to learn, paying utmost attention to details and riding the waves
of determination all the way. For him, it was a long road to stardom but
not many are aware of the several years he spent as an understudy of
more prominent figures before exploding onto the scene in due time.
He
joined the movie industry and registered as a member of ANTP, the body
most Yoruba actors including Odunlade Adekola recently dumped for
Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practioners Association of Nigeria
(TAMPPAN), in 1996 when he was only 18.
When
he played the lead role in Asiri Gomina Wa, a movie produced by late
Alasari, the actor under whom he learnt the rudiments of acting,
Odunlade’s impressive acting and carriage put producers and directors on
notice. And like a grateful protégé, he has praised the unequalled
contributions of late Alasari, who unfortunately died in a fatal auto
crash a few years back, for showing him the ropes at every turn.
In
an interview with City People some years, he said: Ishola Durojaye
(Alasari) in the production of one of his films then, Asiri Gomina Wa,
there were lots of criticisms that Odun(lade) cannot act the role that
was given to him properly as the governor in the movie, but he (Alasari)
called me to one side and said ‘no matter what they say, Odun, you are
going to do it. This is your script, go through it and master it.’ And I
was thrown into confusion and felt challenged as to how I would not
disappoint someone that has placed such enormous confidence in me. But I
thank God today.
‘Although I had been acting before but it was Asiri Gomina Wa that brought me to the spotlight.’
Passing
him off far and wide as a deep and thorough role-interpreter, it can be
said without a doubt that upon fetching him more movie roles, the
production set him off for greater things to come.
However,
his self-produced movie, with a prophetic title of sorts, Emi Ni Ire
Kan (I am next in line for God’s favour) being Odunlade Adekola’s second
movie acted as the perfect launch pad for his taking over. Produced in
2009, the movie came after Farapamo and he played the lead role
alongside Ronke Odusanya aka Flaky Ididowo.
His
role is that of a stammering local rapper and the comic effort sold
like hot cakes, opening a floodgate of encomiums and recognitions. He
went on to win his first major award as City People Entertainment’s Best
Yoruba Actor of the Year in 2009 and has not looked back as he
continues to churn out one block-buster after another.
For
the records, movies including Baba Super, Ila Owo, Eje Fun Eje, Sunday
Dagboru, Mufu Oloosa Oko, Alani Pamolekun and Adebayo Aremu Abere rank
among the best movies produced in the Yoruba section of Nollywood, with
Odunlade Adekola behind them all.
His
proactive approach towards producing his own movies in which he
regularly plays lead rather than wait for other producers to call him
for lead roles, is one of the secrets of his rise. Added to his is his
attention to details, which ensures he is not just prolific but never
compromises on quality.
It is no
secret that lack of standards is one of the factors holding Nollywood
back, this is even more apparent in the Yoruba section where names,
rather than ability, is the biggest consideration when choosing who to
play what, this actor has managed to keep his head far above water.
Among his peers are notable actors including Adekola Tijani (Kamilu Kompo), Olaniyi Afonja (Sanyeri) Babatunde Bernard (Baba Tee), Soji Taiwo (Omo Banke), Femi Adebayo, Murphy Afolabi, Segun Ogungbe.
Among those he met on ground, equally talented and skilled in production and directing are Muyiwa Ademola, Saheed Balogun, Funso Adeolu, Yemi Solade and many others but in terms of clout and interest presently, he towers above them all.
In
an industry riddled with controversy, Odunlade has stayed out of the
spotlight for the negative reasons due to his discipline. He is married
to Ruth, a woman currently studying for her higher National Diploma at
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State and with whom he has 3 children;
two boys and a girl. And remaining relevant has yielded multiple
benefits for the Abeokuta-based actor.
His
image looms so large that he earned an ambassadorial deal from Glo in
2011, an achievement he admitted took him to cloud nine.
‘I
must tell you, Glo endorsement is one of the happiest things in my
life. It makes me happy anytime I remember that I am a Glo ambassador,
because when you are working, you don’t know the type of people watching
you. There are a lot of people in the entertainment industry. So, for a
big company like that to say ‘let us call on this man to be an
ambassador’ is a great thing for me. So, I am so happy. Like I used to
say, I never thought of it at all or that any organisation would call on
me to be its brand ambassador, he said in an interview with ThisDay.
It
came as a shocker to observers of happenings in the entertainment
industry when the actor was dropped in 2013 alongside several other
entertainers.
Although no official
reason was given by the telco firm then, like a phoenix from the ashes,
Odunlade Adekola recently returned as one of the ambassadors Glo signed
on in June, 2015.
And while it is not
easy for entertainers to make a return a few years after being dropped,
Odunlade’s return cannot be unconnected with the fact that his profile
has not diminished in any way two years after.
‘I
feel so honoured. There’s no one that will be offered a good thing that
won’t be happy. I am very very happy to be honest with you. I had been a
Glo ambassador before now. The first time I got an endorsement deal
with Glo was in 2011. I was given a two-year deal and after seeing out
my contract, I was expecting a renewal but it didn’t happen until they
recently called me to return,’ he said when NET contacted him.
Speaking
further, the Ogun State-based actor said: ‘That I am back as Glo
ambassador shows that my contributions to the growth of entertainment
industry in (the) Yoruba section and in Nigeria are being appreciated. I
am very very happy to represent the brand once again.’
Based
on the foundation of a strong work ethic, dedication to his passion and
keeping his eyes on the prize all the time, the actor, film-maker,
director, producer and composer of sound-tracks has been able to build
himself into the biggest Yoruba actor around.
So much so that even those who may not like his face cannot afford not to identify with him.
Some of his awards…
2014 Best Actor in a Leading Role – Yoruba Movie Academy Awards
2014 Nollywood Movies Award – Popular Choice Male
2009 Best Actor – City People Award
2011 Best Actor – City People Award
2014 Best Actor – City People Award
Some of the movies he’s produced…
Ila Owo
Farapamo
Emi nire kan
Eje fun Eje
Baba Super
Fayebora
Some of the movies he has acted in…
Asiri Gomina Wa
Tani Olorun
Oja Odaju
Kobamajewo
Ila Owo
Farapamo
Olorun Owu
Emi nire kan
Iwa Eniyan
Eje fun Eje
Diekola
Baba Super
Mufu Olosa Oko
Opa Kan
Sunday Dagboru
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