Actress Rosemary Ingbi Interview

In a recent interview with Punch Newspapers, Veteran Nollywood actress, Rosemary Ingbi-Ononiwu talks about her career and why she went back to school

Why do people call you ‘action woman?’

They call me action woman because when I get a role to play, I play it perfectly. That is the way you can convince people that something is the way it is. I play my roles very well. We act real life stories and we try to convince people that such things happen in reality.

Does it mean you cannot play other roles?

I can play other roles. Anyone who cannot play any role is not a professional. Sometimes, when one plays a role perfectly, they will want the person to remain there; they would not want to give you another role. But I act other roles.

What have you been up to?

I have been involved in organising the Izon-Otu National Red Carpet Award which has helped a lot of Ijaw youths all over the world. I shot a movie recently, titled ‘Joshua of the State’. I am taking my time to produce it. I have been shooting it for about four years. I am not in a hurry.

When did the award start?

I established it in 2006, when the president was the governor of Bayelsa State. We have done it a couple of times, but could not do it last year. It is usually held in the state because I am from Bayelsa State. For non-indigenes who also affect the lives of the Ijaw youths, we are working on something to encourage them. But we invite them to take part in the event.

What was the motive of establishing the award?

It is a recognition of people who have affected the lives of the Ijaw youths all over the world. Only people who merit it are awarded. That is the main criterion. Other people who desire it must affect people’s lives and get recognised. The youths are the ones who nominate these people.

Do you encounter any challenges in your career?

I shot my recent movie in Bayelsa State and in Lagos. Normally, when one is shooting a movie, there must be challenges if the actors do not do what you want or when the locations are not ready, but I did not encounter these challenges. I produced and I acted in the movie.

Is it true that you are going back to school…

Yes, I went back to school, University of Lagos to be precise. I am studying Law Enforcement Administration. I am rounding off already and will be starting my final exams soon.

How do you cope with academics at an advanced age?

It depends on the age. I am still young. It gets to a certain age when one cannot grab all that one is being taught in school, especially when you are above 40.

Are you up to 40?

I am a little above 40.

Why did you decide on law enforcement?

I want to know all about law in this country. I want to be part of everything. It is good to know a little of everything. It helps a great deal. It is not advisable to limit oneself to just one particular thing.

Does it have anything to do with entertainers going into politics lately?

That is not it for me. I might go into politics sometime, but I am not thinking in that direction now. Without God, nothing happens and I believe in Him so much. Politics, for me, is if God wants it. For one to get into a position, then God wants it.

You sound like a devout Christian…

Yes, I am. In fact, I go to the house of God to clean it every morning before I set out for my business. When I go out and come in, I kneel and thank God for leading me safely. Without God, nothing happens.

When did you start acting?

I started acting when I was a kid in the nursery school, all through to primary and secondary school too. I did not study anything about theatre arts. I studied History. Acting is inborn; it was put in me before I came into the world. I was well-known in all the schools I attended as a good actress.

Why did you not study theatre arts?

Sometimes, it is better when things are natural. Some people studied theatre arts and they do not act well. Most of the actors that do well in the industry did not study theatre arts. I love what I am studying in school currently.

Would you encourage your children to become actors?

Children should study whatever they desire to study. You do not tell them what to do. Whatever they want to do, let them be. Maybe that is what God wants for them. I do not have to stop them. They are children of God; I am just a caretaker.

What were the initial challenges you encountered when making your film?

The initial challenges were during the auditioning periods, although I got most of the lead roles when I auditioned. I did not really have too many challenges. Each time I auditioned and read the scripts, they would hand them to me and tell me that the roles were meant for me. I played the lead role in most of the movies and soaps I did.

What changes are there in Nollywood now?

Those days, Nollywood was just about the glamour, but now money has come into it. People are making money in the industry. Actors can now become brand ambassadors of different companies.

Some groups call themselves new Nollywood…

For me, there is nothing like the new Nollywood. Nollywood is the same. There is no old Nollywood. The same thing is obtainable in Nollywood all these years. The same things keep happening.

Were there competitions in your heyday?

I was not thinking about that. I did not see all that. I just did my work and got out of the location. Why would people envy others or say bad things about them? There is not point doing that. If it were not for God, nobody would be a good actor or actress.

What is your typical day like?

I take each day the way it comes. I feel it is what God wants. I wait on the Lord in everything I do.

Do you have beauty routines?

I am a natural person. I do not have any special beauty routines. Sometimes, when my children are jogging, I go with them. When I am tired, I would leave them and walk back home.

Have you had any awkward moment with fans?

There is none at all, except when fans see me and they say, ‘see this wicked woman.’ Sometimes, I would just look at them and smile. We act convincingly. Most people who take on bad roles are good in reality.