how i joined acting 20 yrs ago

• Actor, Femi Apefe Reveals His Grass To Grace Story

The story of Oluwafemi Waheed Apefe Adewole is one that is very inspiring and showcases the can-do spirit of an average Nigerian. The Osun born multi-talented actor who hails from Ile Ife has been around for a while. He has been in the movie industry for the past 20 years with quite a number of movies to his credit. He continually pushed and eventually reached stardom. He became more prominent for his popular skit, Olosho Onikuruna which hit the social media scene by storm. Femi Apefe and Sanusi Ishaq popularly known as Apa were the star of the wave-making skit as they combine well to crack the ribs of on-lookers. Both characters through the skit have become highly sought-after in the industry. Many people don’t know that Femi was the brain behind the popular skit and he doesn’t show it at all.

Femi Apefe in a chat with Citypeople revealed a lot about his life, how he joined acting after making several attempts doing other things behind the camera at locations. He also talked about the coming back of his Olosho Onikuruna skits, what to expect and other projects he is presently working on.

Who is Femi Apefe, tell us a bit about your background and your growing up days like?

Growing up was very Rough, I grew up in Ilare in Ife and from a Polygamous Family, As a Hustler, I decided to move to Lagos and that was where my Interest in Entertainment began. I had my primary education at Ife Central Primary School, Ile Ife. I went to Oranmiyan Grammar School also in Ile Ife. My parents are from Ile Ife. My father is from Ilare compound while my mum came from Wakeso compound. My mother gave birth to 6 children and I’m her 4th child. We are 4 boys and 2 girls.

How did acting start for you?

I left Ife for Lagos State in 1999. In 2001, I enrolled myself in acting under the tutelage of Saheed Balogun and Fathia Balogun. I started from there and I spent 5 years learning from them. When I left there, I proceeded to join Tunde Ajayi aka Omo Iya Hannah. I learnt about the crew from him.   Then I learnt the act of lighting. In fact, I became popular in that aspect in the movie industry. The name Femi Apefe became prominent. After then I ventured into sound and that made me more popular. I’m always the go to guy because there’s no place I can’t shoot sound. I can shoot sound even beside a working generator. I left that and later went into acting. Though I joined acting in 2001, I became more serious about it in 2003. Now, I can boldly say that I have spent 20 years in the industry, starting with Saheed Balogun and Fathia Balogun in 2003.

What can you tell us about the Olosho Onikuruna Skit and how was the idea conceived?

When we started the skit Olosho Onikuruna, I can say I was the one that conceived the idea. I just woke up one day and taught about the concept. So I went to my manager and sold the idea to him. I said it’s like having me and someone dressed like women who always fight but never leave each other alone. He then asked me if I believed that it would work, and I said let’s leave everything in God’s hand. Let’s try and see if it will work out and if it doesn’t then we will find another thing to do. So that’s how the concept was conceived. Then I invited Apa. Then he was doing continuity because he was considering switching into directing. He is my friend and we do things together. Then Apa told me when I’m ready for it we should start it. So, I hustle for money to rent cameras and invite stars to work with us. At this time, I used my name to invite them. I do most of the work during pre-production. I put down the money, invited the crew and the cast back then. Apa only came to direct and act. Then he has not started using the name APA. By the time we began Olosho Onikuruna, God blessed it for us.

Now that Apa has moved on, do you guys still talk?

I did not have any issue with Apa till date. You know in life, wherever God says one will get to, one will definitely get there with ease. I don’t, out of envy, rush to be great just because a colleague has become big. I believe that it’s God who always blesses one’s work. I wasn’t a full actor before now, and I’m not a one-way actor. I usually observe the movie industry. Once you are seen as only useful as a comedian, you will be used and dumped. I don’t want that to happen to me. So, that’s why I don’t want to be everywhere for now. I want to build my standard. Till date I still interact with APA and we do a lot together. I never had an issue with APA. We still call each other.

How are you coping now that Apa is no longer with you?

I’m somehow coping. Ordinarily, you know we are not born the same day. Before I met Apa, I had been with some people back then. I’m friends with the likes of Lateefat Adedimeji, Niyi Johnson. We are all set. I have known them long before I met Apa. I have lots of friends and contemporaries in the industry. Then I have those who love me so much in the industry. They don’t joke with anything that concerns me. I have the likes of Sotayo, Afeez Owo is my brother and boss. People like Mide , Kunle Afolayan, Saheed Balogun and Fathia Balogun among others. They have assisted me a lot and they are proud of me now. So, that made me never have a thought of missing Apa’s departure that much. But when we meet, we still interact.

Do you have any movie projects you are working on now?

I have many movie projects I’m working on. I also have those I have completed working on. I have a big project that I’m working one which is titled SS. I have another one titled Ola which means Tomorrow. I still have 10 to 12 stories I have written down to produce God’s will. I don’t like rushing my work. I always take time to do diligent work that people would see and commend. And I want you to know that the Olosho Onikuruna skit has not died! I’m still continuing on with it. Though APA is busy, I can get another hand to replace him. So very soon, I will return to producing Olosho Onikuruna. I will start posting Olosho Onikuruna from the stable of Femi Adewole Apefe film Production. I’m working on that already. I also have a project titled Breakfast which is a series. It is centred on relationship matters. It’s also from Femi Apefe Adewole film Production. And I have those who have been helpful to me. They are like a mother and sister to me. Someone like Ade Love; Adenike Omooba, Kemi Tinubu, Hannah Titi Foundation and many others. I thank them for always supporting me.

What’s your next big plan for the industry?

My plan is to raise superstars in the movie industry. This year, 2024, I wish to have proteges who would do well in the industry. I also want to be more focused. I want to make my movie projects very unique so that people would always use it as a reference point in the Yoruba movie industry. I also wish that God would empower me to bless the aged veterans who have suffered a lot for the movie industry to thrive. What we are enjoying now is as the result of the hard labour put in by these veterans. I want to sincerely assist them. I have suffered a lot before I got to this stage in the industry. I have heard a lot of bad remarks said about me in the past. I don’t get distracted by this. I’m always focused. I have a big plan for myself in the industry. I pray God keeps me and every one of us. He should grant us a long life. I want to make a big and remarkable impact in the industry.