The City People Magazine team, led by Publisher, Dr Seye Kehinde, recently paid a visit to the legendary Nollywood actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello. During the visit, Oga Bello warmly welcomed the team and fondly recalled his long-standing relationship with City People Magazine, stating that he has been a part of its journey since its inception.
Speaking on what has kept him motivated throughout his decades-long career, Oga Bello explained that his passion for acting has always brought him immense joy. “Anything you are passionate about will give you joy. When I am acting, I find pleasure in the work. I don’t care about how much I will earn; my priority is the joy I get from it.”
When asked how he has managed to stay relevant in the industry, Oga Bello credited his ability to adapt to changes and his commitment to keeping up with the times. He shared his deep passion for culture and how he approaches everything wholeheartedly.
Oga Bello reminisced about his humble beginnings in the industry, his early role as a production manager for legends like Hubert Ogunde and Abe Love, before venturing into producing his own films. He disclosed that his love for theater was ignited by watching Chief Hubert Ogunde’s play, Village Doctor, which inspired him to resign from his job in 1976 to pursue acting full-time.
He also spoke about his role as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of TAMPAN (Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria) and revealed that the association was formed in his house. He expressed pride in the progress made within the industry and how he has contributed to its growth.
When asked about his family, particularly his son Femi Adebayo, Oga Bello beamed with pride, expressing how happy he is about their success and creativity, stating that Femi’s creativity surpasses his own.
Oga Bello also offered advice to young and aspiring actors, stressing the importance of patience and continuous learning. He noted that learning is a process and that practical experience cannot be compared to anything else.
Catch up with the full gist on the City People TV YouTube page.
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