Star Actress Omotola Jolade has no doubt about how bright the future is for Nigeria’s fast-growing movie industry.
In fact, the actress believes that while Nollywood is still in the shadows of Hollywood, both industries would swap status in the future.
She spoke about the industry in an exclusive interview with Channels Television on Saturday, one week before the premiere of ‘Alter Ego’ – the movie which marks her return to the big screen after a four-year break.
“Nollywood is amazing, Nollywood is going to be bigger than Hollywood; it will, mark my words. We are on that path,” she said.
“I have always talked about the fact that we need structure, the basic things that hold a business down. We didn’t have that but now we are building the structure and it is coming into play, now watch us fly.”
The actress who is also known for her philanthropic work and activism explained her motivations.
“I have always been an activist, that is what drives me. I am more of an activist than a humanitarian. For me, my passion is human rights. I look forward to a time in my life where everyone can actually pursue their rights, stand up for their right, and fight for their rights,” she said
“Society is not sane today not because we have the worst president in the world but because we have the worst judiciary. When you have a society that the law works and it is enforced, everyone will fall in line.”
Omotola who has starred in hundreds of movies since 1995 explained her journey and how it all started.
She said, “I lost my dad when I was 12 and I was left with my widowed mum and my siblings. Things were very difficult for my mother, so when I left secondary school at the age of 15, the first thing that came to my mind was how can I help her.
“The natural thing I had was to model and I started modelling and from modelling, I escorted a friend to a movie audition and that was how I started.”
Having been there and done that, Omotala has an advice for young ladies who look up to her.
“My advice to young girls is, know what you want from the beginning; you are never too young to have a dream and you are never too young to start a plan,” she said.
“I remember as far back as when I was 15, I wrote down all my dreams – (and) most of them I have done. So, aim high and don’t be afraid. Dream big, but most especially, write down your goals, vision, dreams and … always read them. Work towards them, be prepared because if an opportunity comes and you are not prepared it will pass you by.”
