Tokunbo Malvins is one of the comedians rocking Nollywood industry. He is well known for his comical roles in movies. He’s a veteran actor who has contributed immensely to the growth of make-believe industry. He’s set to have a 4-in-1 party and he spoke extensively with City People Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN about the upcoming event. Enjoy the conversation.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Prince Adetokunbo Omotoyosi Ayinde Iremide Mavis, I’m an actor, Producer, Director and a very fantastic comedian. The question you asked each time I post anything on my social media and I get a lot on comment about that, it doesn’t make me feel bad, it just makes me feel formal and very close to doing something people really appreciate. These are things that I don’t see or hear for a very long time, it means I’m doing something that is very close to what can sell me out. The last video I posted, I saw about 7 and more comments saying “I swear, you are so underrated” but consistency makes me get there. So, I don’t feel bad, I’m always happy because it is a word of encouragement to me. I’m happy people are appreciating what I’m doing and somehow they are ready to push me to any length to make my name go far.
I heard you’re planning an event which is going to be 4-in-1. Can you tell us what you are doing? And why is it that you’re getting married at age of 50? Have you guys been together for long, tell us about your marriage and tell us how you met her.
The event is 4-in-1. To the glory of God, March 28, my wife clocked 40 years and I will be 50, June 25 and I want to unveil my foundation that very day. And on that day 2 to 5 people will be empowered by the foundation which is called “Father and Mother Foundation” The fourth one is the Wedding, actually, I met my wife in the line of duty close to 20 years ago, I went to a location where we needed student for a particular scene and we spoke to one person and he went ahead to bring people which my wife was one of them. I asked her out after a while and she agreed and that was how it started. During the cause of dating she got pregnant and as a responsible man I went to see her parent but the mother was late. So, I met with the father and he gave me assurance not to worry that anything that is needed to do should be done after the delivery and I should put it in plan between the delivery date and naming ceremony and the family would be called and she was warned not to celebrate her wedding in a big way once she is about to marry but unfortunately, her father died on Wednesday and she gave birth on Sunday which means her father did not wait till she delivered her baby. There are some confidential things that caused us set back from getting married because she had just one sibling. My wife is not someone who is close to family so there was none to run to after that. After a while, we decided to locate sme family, so we can formalise the whole thing.
Let’s talk about the foundation, what do you mean by Father and Mother Foundation and what are the things that would be done in the foundation? How many years have you been together with your wife and how best can you describe her?
Father Mother Foundation, I choose to use the name because of two people, they are called Father and Mother. His name his Hon. Omobolaji Emmanuel Oluwagbemiga Pitan, the younger brother to the former Commissioner of Health and Education, Dr. Leke Pitan so anybody that knows Bolaji Pitan in Lagos know they call him Father and his wife Mother. I have known Bolaji for 20 years now even before this foundation came about, I have known Bolaji for that long, if you go to his Church at Victoria Island Parish, Sura, every blessed Sunday, you will see nothing less than 100 people either to see him or to worship with him and he will attend to everybody and the same goes with his wife. This are people who inspired me to doing what I’m about to do, I wanted to name it Tokunbo Marvis Foundation but I saw that it was not necessary. At times it is not compulsory for people to know your name, the bible says “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” Matthew 6:3-4”. That was why I decided to use Father and Mother Foundation. In the last 20 years, my experience is very powerful and I came this far through the help of people. It’s the grace I received from people and I thank God. The more I receive I give to people. Even if it is not much, I give out little. After the program on Sunday, On Wednesday we would go to one local government Papa Ewekoro, people are there, elderly ones that are selling Koko, Pepper etc we are looking at giving out to nothing less than 50 people 10,000 each to support their business, that day we are going to roll out ballot any three people that picks we would give out money to them. The Father I spoke about would also be present. Lastly, for my wife, our first son is 15 years and we have known each other for 18 years and living together for 17 years and so far so good she is the best I have seen.
How did acting start for you 40 years ago?
I started in 1983, 40 years ago, when I was in Secondary School, I don’t follow the boys to play ball during break time, so I do sit down and crack jokes without knowing what I will be in the future. Gradually at Owo, Ijebu Primary School is where I went to, I have some of my friends Seye Samaye, he also joined me in acting. The school authority found out about my acting, so during any occassion in the school, I was always used for stage play to entertain the guests. When it got to 1985 some drama group came to play at my secondary school, I was forced to pay to watch the movie at the end of the day it was not that interesting like the one we do, so I met with the school authority that we wanted to act a stage play, and at a very small age I wrote my first story and called it “Ikoko Aje” and students paid to watch it. 1988 I came to Lagos and I joined my boss 1989, late Prophet Sope Enilolobo of blessed memory he taught me theatre. There was no Cinema or television program then just stage play and dance. Everything in theatre is all I known singing, producing, directing, acting, dancing, etc. I’m a complete actor I continued learning till my boss got a calling to be a prophet and I led the group for about 3 years before I went to create my own group with my friends. I called it the “Light Play Out” in 1992. 31 years ago I came back fully to acting 17 years ago with Kunle Afod. I continued doing on and off till 10 years ago then I became stable.
What were the challenges you’ve faced in the last 40 years and at what stage is your Brand now?
Lots of challenges, especially when I started. I started against my father’s wish. I used to be a very brilliant child. I can remember I was the overall best student in Ogun State then and I got a scholarship award from late Gen. Oladipupo Diya. So my dad was like how can a brilliant boy like this choose to be a Theatre Practitioner? That was where the problem started from. I had to run away from home. I ran to my boss, late Sope Enilolobo. He doesn’t also have anything, he was also into theatre and that was when theatre was nothing. We were just doing it for fun, not for money, not for fame, but for the love we have for it. So, the suffering was much from 1992. It took me about 13 solid years before I started making headway gradually. It was in 2005 I met Prince Olugbemiga Adewusi, the CEO Bayowa Film International, and he started promoting me. I worked for him for like 2/3 years and things started changing. So, the brand Tokunbo Marvis actually started since 2005 when I did Ariya Efe for Bayowa, and till now, to God be the glory.
So, should do we expect on June 25th?
The event will take place at Multipurpose Hall, Eko FM Radio Lagos. Almost all the Star Gospel Artists are going to be there, like Mega 99, Atorise, Dare Melody, Alayo Singer, Segun Nabi, Tiwalola Shittu, Aduke Gold, Seyi Harmony, Shina Harmony, Moses Harmony, Taiwo Ojodu, Esther Igbekele, Busola Oke Eleyele, Abbey Awesome all these artists will be on standby. Okele & Wunmi Toriola will anchor the event. And its specially package by Femstar’s Event. He’s the person God is using for me at the moment apart from Bolaji Pitan. He has really done a lot towards this programe. I really appreciate him.
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