I’m Neither Rich Nor Poor

Talented and humorous bilingual movie star, Kayode Olasehinde, popularly known as Ajirebi and Pa James of Papa Ajasco and Company fame, spoke with P.M.Entertainment on his career, financial status, ANTP leadership tussle and the Baba Suwe saga, among other issues

You are known with your stage names Ajirebi and Pa James, who is Ajirebi and Pa James?
Ajirebi and Pa James is Kayode Olasehinde. I hail from Patako in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, but born and raised in Isale-Eko, Lagos Island.

Share your growing period with us
After my primary school education at ECWA Primary School, Patako, my parents struggled to send me to high school but it was impossible because of poverty although I sat for the entrance examination to Oke Ode Grammar School in our local government area. I later became househelp in Lagos and also learnt printing as a profession.

You are a bilingual actor, when are how did you start acting?
I started acting in 1976. My master then was the late Olanrewaju Ali, who had a theatre group in Lagos. I was working at UTC Hardware, Apapa then as a labourer and I was combining both. But at a point, Olanrewaju decided to veer into fuji music because Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and others were making money in music. So, I joined  Emulewu Theatre Group in 1982 or thereabouts and was named Ajirebi by the late leader of the group and have been popular with the name since then.

Okay, what brought about the name Pa James?
My story cannot be complete without mentioning Wale Adenuga, who sent a letter to me one day, while I was at home, inviting me to his office. When I got there, I was given the role of Pa James in Papa Ajasco and Company and that was how I became Pa James.

Without much education, you still play roles in English language, how?
It is a great surprise to me that I can speak English language although when I was growing up, my parents always bought magazines such as Drum, Spear and Challenge, among others, which I used to read. I think that was where I sharpened my knowledge of English language. Albeit, I can’t rule out the grace of God in that aspect of my career.

In your career, how many movies have you produced?
Only one. It’s titled Enu Ope and was released in 2001.

Was it a commercial success?
It was commercially successful.

As one of the top talented actors in Nigeria and having been in the industry for several years, what has been your experience?
My experience has shown that persistence is the key to success in any vocation. It is no longer like before when we wear rags. The industry has changed positively.

Has the experience affected you financially?
I am neither poor nor rich. I have a car, a Nissan Blue Bird, a four-bedroom flat and several plots of land. So, I am grateful to God because I also have two undergraduates as children.

Is there any difference between English and Yoruba movie production?
There are many Yoruba movies which suffer financial problems. While English enjoys great financial support from marketers, Yoruba stories are fantastic lack of money, which results in poor output.

What is your relationship with your colleagues in both genres?
We are one. Entertainment has brought us together as we often meet at locations.

What is your stance on the leadership tussle between Dele Odule and Victor Ashaolu-led factions?
This is a serious question, but I must state categorically that I belong to Odule’s faction because I detest trouble and whoever is troublesome.

Has there ever been a time you wanted to call it quits?
No, it never happened.

Which of your productions can you describe as the best and the worst?
All of them are good, but my favourite is Papa Ajasco and Company. I passionately love the Pa James role that I play.

Like father, like son, you and your son, Samuel, are actors. How do you and his mother feel about this?
We are very happy at it. This is because he started when he was five years old and we have been giving him the required support ever since.

It is generally believed by the Yoruba that the bald are rich, is this true?
Yes, it is true because all bald people are not poor. Prophet Elijah in the Bible is a typical example. God always answered his prayers.

Can you assess the movie industry generally?
We are still having the problem of piracy as well as unnecessary and avoidable leadership crisis.

Recently, one of your colleagues was arrested and released for alleged drug trafficking and Nigerians believe it is a regular practice among all of you. What is your comment on this?
Whoever says or thinks this way is a sinner because for somebody to have believed that all of us push drugs is sinful in the eyes of the Lord. Even there was no evidence to prove that Baba Suwe carried drugs because we see ourselves (artistes) as role models.

Your advice to your fans?
My advice to my fans is that I will not disappoint them, while I will also ensure that I dish out great comedy at all times.

—Kayode Aponmade