Entertainment Business

Call him an all round entertainer, and you will not be wrong. The reason? He is one of Nigeria’s Ace Actors, with a record as one of those that instituted the act of Solo performance, he is a public speaker, an acclaimed Master of Ceremony and guess what? A drama Lecturer at the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Lagos. Lest I forget he is also the Secretary of Academic Staff University Union (ASUU) . Wao ! What an interesting profile.

You remember the Yoruba classic movie “Owuro lojo” where he acted as the male lead role, yeah! How can you forget? Except you’ve not watched the movie .His name is Tunji Sotimirin, “The Onikonkere of Konkere”. Now don’t ask me what that means, that would be a story for another day.

In an exclusive interview with Goodlife, Tunji Sotimirin talks about life as an Actor and Lecturer. Theatre Vs Nollywood and his experiences as a Pioneer of Solo Act in Nigeria.

Though a skilled Actor, Tunji sotimirin says he never thought he would be an Actor. However he has always been an entertainer from his youth, drawing, singing and recreating lyrics f popular artistes like Haruna Ishola, Micheal Jackson, and Lionel Richie among others.

He concentrated more on the cultural music which he merged with western music, and accomplishing such feat as doing a lot of Lionel Richie’s songs in apala version as far back as his University (University of Ibadan) days in the early 80’s.

With his unique style of solo performance act, he gained the sponsorship of the German Cultural centre in 1989 which took his acts to University of Lagos and Ibadan.

Acting for him started in 1981 when he was denied admission by JAMB to study Law at UNILAG. This led him to pitch his tent with the Centre for Black Cultural Studies, where he was like an apprentice under training. He then proceeded to the University of Ibadan for a Diploma Course and at same time also working in a professional Company where he met the likes of Sam loco Efe, and Clarion Chukwura Abiola. While at U.I he was also involved in N.T.A Ibadan TV theatre series.

Though Vigilante was his major first film, “Owuro Lojo” was a major break for him which gave him popularity and acknowledgement in the Film Industry.

As a Lecturer, Tunji Sotimirin says lecturing for him is serious business. Though he introduces a bit of entertainment in his lectures to avert boredom, he always tries to instil discipline in his students and knock off the erroneous impression about Actors personality.

Describing Theatre as sophisticated (a medium that requires a level of intellectuality), the multi talented Compere laments that theatre is not gaining the needed attention, compared to the glamour and media hype film production (Nollywood) is enjoying. This he attributes as a Nigerian problem because the right environment has not been created for people to go out of their homes and environment to enjoy the creativity and unpredictable nature of theatre productions.

For him, a standardisation in the remuneration package for actors would be a welcomed development in the Nigerian entertainment industry .He further describes the sometimes acclaimed high fees in the industry as a farce.

He also expresses hope that the industry would experience more discipline and professionalism, adding that actors should not sacrifice dignity, and good conduct at the altar of “Stardom”.

Tunji sotimirin’s message to upcoming Acts in the industry is that they should see their profession as a way of giving value through focus and hard work, rather than see it as a shortcut to stardom.