My role in super story saved a woman’s marriage —Sola Sobowale

Veteran Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale is one of Nigeria’s doyens of entertainment. She led Nigerians to an Eldorado of pleasure as “Toyin Tomato” in the movie series, SUPER Story by Wale Adenuga,  a few years ago. In this interview with JOAN OMIONAWELE, the actress who left the movie scene for a while, speaks on her latest movie series, Nectar, and other personal issues. Excerpts:

You had your burst back then with Wale Adenuga’s series, Super Story. How was the experience as an actress then?

In one word, I would say, lovely.

You have produced a new T.V. series, which is yours, what has the experience working on this set been like?

It’s been fantastic because I’m lucky to have the crew, which is everybody I’m working with. We’re like family; they have made it very easy for me so it’s been fantastic.

Let us say that this is going to be like a comeback for you.  Are you prepared for whatever it takes?

Yes (giggles).

I heard that Sola Sobowale is also a producer. At what point did you decide to leave acting and start producing?

My first job as a producer  was twenty five years ago. That is to tell you that I’ve been producing for a very long time. I produce and I also act.

Is it true that your role in Super Story once saved a woman’s marriage?

Absolutely! I went for a programme in Abuja. It had to do with women empowerment. When I got to Abuja, there were a lot of women but a lady ran up to me bringing me gifts and said “thank you for saving my home.” I looked at her and said how? She said a woman who was a carbon copy of Toyin Tomato was gradually taking her husband away. So one evening, she decided to see the movie, she tried as much as possible to cook the man’s favourite food so she can keep the woman in the house. So when they started. The children would call their dad to come and watch and the man sat down. The man saw it and the man was engrossed with the television. That was how the man stopped seeing the woman and since then the marriage has been fantastic. I was just looking at her and for that, I give Glory to God. This is why I say to people, I do films that  mean well  for  the people, where they can tap and  learn from. That’s why I do family stories so that I’ll touch everybody: mothers, children and fathers.

In the movies,  you are usually loud but right now I sense a soft spoken person, what is the difference between these two people?

People usually say that Sola, we’ve seen you on the T.V. and you’re totally different. To that, I say thank you God because what you see on the T.V. is a character. How do I do it? I give glory to God and I keep saying to people, when you’ve been ordained to do a particular thing in life, nobody will stop you. I can’t be a director but this is what I love doing. I told some people that there are people packaging  bottled water and they’ve not bought a land and there are those selling not even pure water and you’ll see the houses built by them. That is God saying this is what I’ve asked you to do and I’ve said Amen.

What is your notion about Nigerian actors and actresses who are still not properly paid?

Everybody wants to pay people but we don’t have  the resources. It is not easy individually that is why we need sponsors. But as it is now, there are no many sponsors coming.

Do you have sponsors for your new soap....

For me, I say glory be to God because I have some sponsors that are backing me up in every way.

Would you describe yourself as a fulfilled woman?

I’m a fulfilled woman because I got a fantastic family; my job is going on well. People know and smile at me and it opens a lot of doors for me.  The glory is to God so I’m fulfilled in life.

Right now, as you’ve come back into Nigeria, who are the actresses that impress you? Do you think we have mediocre actresses unlike what we had back then? We grew up watching yourself and so many other people on set; do you say the actresses of these days impress you?

What do you want me to tell you? You need to answer that question yourself. I am not answering that one.

There was a time Genevieve said you were her role model. Were you how close are you to her?

That is my daughter. I love the way she works. I love her with passion. When she’s working, she’s a lioness and when I’m working, I’m a lioness. She’s not obsessed with being beautiful, she goes directly for her job. She’s fantastic. I love her.

Are you fully back in the country or still shuffling between Nigeria and abroad ?

Yes, I’m still in and out.

By the time you left Nigeria, your name was gradually becoming a household name, why did you decide to leave and go abroad?

When you have children, you need to be a mother in your children’s lives. When the money is rolling in and your children lack a motherly touch, it’s like building a house on sand and when the rain comes, it will sweep it away. I wanted to build a solid foundation for my children and I glorify God today that everything is fantastic. That is my answer for now. If you want to know what I was doing in England, you wait for the right time.

The series is supposed to tell your story?

No, it’s just about the day to day happenings  of  life, not my story.

What defines your style?

I don’t know. I don’t follow vogue and I don’t have one designer.

Is it true that you came back to Nigeria because you were broke?

They should wait till I come to their house to beg for  garri.

How do you cope with negative media when you hear things like this about you? How have you been coping?

It’s frustrating. It’s not good when people eat, sleep, wake up and cook up a story and drag other people’s name in the mud. Why? What do they gain? People  that don’t even know me or have not seen me before, they have the nerve to say things about you. But I’m a Christian, a very good one and I believe in my bible. What goes round comes round. There is nothing you do that you will not reap; if you do bad,  you  reap  bad. People should sit and think about whether or not they would like what they are doing to others to be done to them. When people complain about governments, I ask them how they run their homes. If you run your home perfectly then you run your office well. If you run your office well then it goes on and on like that because government involves a lot of people and it is you that make the government. If you keep doing the wrong thing, one day it is going to backfire.

What are your expectations of the new government that just got into power?

I’m not a politician. I think we should all support anybody that’s there. Don’t say because I want another one to be there and he’s not there. This is our country, let us make it work. Whoever is there; man or woman, green or yellow, let us support.

At this age, what still is the secret of your beauty?

Am I beautiful? (Laughs) People that scheme and lie always frown. I’m always smiling but when you frown, that is how the virus enters the head. I’m as free as a dove and I carry people along. I call my director Oga but how old is he? He’s my Oga because we are all friends. This is why I will live long and pass hundred. It is when I tell God that I’m ready.

Do you have any regrets in life?

Never. I’m a positive thinker. When you do badly, that’s when you regret. I’ve been fantastic and give glory to God for the family and the parents I’ve got and the education God has given me. I’m grateful for everything I’ve passed through in life and in my acting life. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made. Glory be to God.

Do you have any advice for people who look up to you?

They should think positively, be focused and honest.  Say the truth because it will set you free.