There’s Hardly Anyone in This Industry That Didn’t Pass Through Me - Adebayo Salami

Come September 2014, a veteran in the Yoruba movie industry, Adebayo Salami famously called Oga Bello would roll out the drums in celebration of a landmark achievement. He’ll be celebrating his 50 years as an actor. The celebrations would begin on September 25 at the Agip Hall, Muson center with a stage play titled “Oloko Oba” (King’s Name sake). The grand finale of the celebrations will hold on September 28 at Timesquare event center, Ikeja, Lagos. He spoke with
ThisDayLive about his 50 years journey as an actor and more

50 years as an actor…
It’s been very interesting and challenging all the way. There’s no production that you don’t come across various challenges. I once produced a movie where equipments got burnt on set. There are times when you get robbed on set. We once had a terrible car accident on set. There are times when casts would disappoint you at the last minute. At times, you get duped. I once recorded a movie and at the end of the shooting, we got to the studio for post production and discovered there was no sound recorded. It was just pictures (laughs). So, it has been interesting and challenging.

I resigned and want  into full time theatre…
In 1976, Femi Okunnu asked me to join him in setting up his own law chambers. That was where my love for law began. Meanwhile, through this period, I had risen to the post of second in command in Ojo Ladipo Theatre group, and we were travelling to places like Kano, Sokoto and Yola. Back then, the late Ojo Ladipo was a bus conductor with the then Lagos Metropolitan Transport Service. So, we all agreed to resign and take up acting full time. When I resigned from Femi Okunnu’s chambers, he wasn’t happy about it at all. He came to my home to talk to my parents about it, but my mind was made up to move on with acting full time.

The name “Oga Bello”…
I’ve been known as “Oga Bello” since 1970. There was a programme on NTA Lagos then, the anchor was Art Alade, and the show was produced by Bank Olemo. They gave us a segment in the show. On the show, I was called ‘Bello’ and often times, I always played the role of a boss and the late Ojo Ladipo used to play the role of my messenger. So, on set, he calls me “Oga bello” and that was how the name stuck ever since then.

I have produced about 18 movies….
If I’m to count the number of home videos I’ve produced, I think it should be around 18 because I don’t rush into movies. My stories are always deep and execution costs money. It got to a stage where I couldn’t make wishy-washy movies anymore because of the standard we have attained. As a producer, you have to know your story and how to interprete it with the right casting, interpretations, locations, costume, dialogue and equipments. It’s a creative team work. I won the award as the first Best Movie Producer in Africa as far back as 1989 when I went to premier “Omo Orukan” in London. The first home video I produced was ‘Asewo To Re Mecca’ and it was a huge success.

Acting on stage…
There’s difference between a stage actor and a movie actor. If you are on stage, you must be audible and make no mistake. But when you are talking about home videos, you make use of expressions more. You have gadgets that enhance every other thing. So, when I wanted to transit, I learnt the trade very well. I went to London and France to study. I began as late Ogunde’s production assistant to brush up what I’ve learnt.

Challenges….
I really don’t like talking about challenges because a lot has happened. But all in all, I think God has been very kind to me. He has kept my family together despite everything. I’ve seen betrayal. There was a time when a lot of people that were supposed to be loyal to me; people whom I depended on all walked out on me. So bad was it that my wife used to drop feeding money for me at home before she goes out. At that point, I remember locking myself up in the room several times weeping and praying to God to help me. And in a short time, God rose to help me. There’s hardly anyone in this industry that didn’t pass through me at one point in time. I touched a lot of lives but the truth is that I never expect good from humans because you think you’ve helped them. Looking at where I stand today, I always give God the glory.

My children in the industry…
I feel very great to have my kids in the same profession as I am. What even makes me happier is the comments from people, because at first I wasn’t really happy about it. But people began to say positive things about them and even wish the same fate for themselves. And today, my children stand very united, and do things together which makes me happy.