Last week, the movie industry was plunged into mourning when the shocking news of the death of one of it’s finest, Mojisola Abike Olaiya, broken she was reported to have died of heart attack in far away Canada barely 2 months after she welcomed a child. As at the time this publication went to press, details of her death was still hazy.
This edition, we bring you the very last major interview Moji had with City People…
Sultry Yoruba actress, Moji Olaiya Okesola, is one of Nollywoods finest actors. The beautiful mother of 1, has produced and featured in English as well as Yoruba movies and soap operas. If there is an actress who is distinct, and so Professional in her field, then the name Moji Olaiya will ring a bell. Pretty Mojisola Abike Olaiya is the daughter of the popular highlife maestro, Sir Victor Olaiya who delved into acting almost 2 decades ago. She debuted in English soaps some years back, before gaining ground in the Yoruba movie scene.
No doubt, she has quite a huge number of fan base especially on her social media platform, and one major factor that has given her an edge amongst her contemporaries is that she remains scandal free. Those close to her revealed that she is very quiet and well mannered, aside that she is on the moderate side, and not too outgoing.
An insider hinted that she goes to her movie locations and leaves as soon as she is done with her roles. Recently she turned 40, and a classy get-together was organized to celebrate her, and the gathering symbolizes class and modesty. Pretty Mojisola was once married to Lagos big boy, Bayo Okesola, but the union did not produce any issue. Speaking on the union to City People, she hinted that , she endured the series of humiliation and abuse from her estranged husband, all in a bid to sustain her marriage. According to her, she tried as much as possible to ensure that her marriage did not to go down history as one of many public figures with failed marriages, but the man in question was persistent on the abuses, which made her to quietly walk away. In a turn-around move, all his effort to make peace with the sultry actress proved abortive after her to ex-husband realized his mistakes.
As you read this, things are falling in place for this actress again. Aside soaring higher in her career, she is adding more feathers to her cap. Mojisola who is now a practicing Muslim explains her desire and joy, haven switched to the Islamic faith. Although reports has it that ger change of faith was due to the new man in her life who is also a staunch Muslim. Moji who has refused to disclose who the lucky man is, has succeeded in keeping him away from the prying eyes of the public.
According to her, “Islam has taught me how to move closer to God, and I have my way of seeking Him and He answers me,” she added. Mojisola who has now added Raheemot to her name is so proud to be associated with the religion and has lately been seen dressing in Islamic attires with matching hijab, especially during the Ramadan.
Right now she has just opened a state-of-the-art boutique that stocks up exclusive Arabian items which includes Kaftans, Abayas, Arabian oils, perfumes, and exotic fabrics. Since inception it has been a beehive of activities for top fashionistas and celebrities.
She has however assured her fans that at the right time, she will reveal who the lucky man is. “It is important I have somebody beside me, there was a time. I regret not being under a man’s roof, it is not respectable in this part of the world, but I tried to comport myself even as a divorcee and as a typical Yoruba woman whose desire is to avoid scandal, although I did not regret leaving my marriage,” she concluded in an interview she granted a newspaper some weeks back.
Moji Olaiya who has won numerous awards home and abroad is also one of the Ekiti State Ambassadors who got endorsed during Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s administration. Her divorce to her ex-husband, Bayo Okesola has been a thing of concern for her fans at large. The scandal-free and calm actress spoke with City People Reporter, Bukky Bamgbose on her divorce, family, plans and ongoing project that would hit the screen soon.
You’re looking so trimmed and fit. Is there a reason for it?
Hmmn! No reason as such, I just want to lose some pounds of flesh to actually keep fit. Besides, exercising is part of healthy living, so I have been engaging in it for a while now. Apart from losing weight, I feel good too, after rigorous exercise; there is no job that can be so tiring anymore, unlike before that you engage in few activities, you get tired. I do loads of aerobics, play Table Tennis, Lawn Tennis, use the thread mill and also swim. All combined make you achieve your aim. I also watch my diet.
It is usually said, especially among actresses, that scandals come with stardom, how have you been able to scale through?
My father has built a name in entertainment already and we are talking about a very long time before I was born, so why would I drag a name that has already been built into the mud? Also, because of my integrity that I desire to project, I have chosen to stay off controversies, this is coupled with the fact that I have a dream and I don’t know how far I will get to in life. I might decide to venture into politics tomorrow or even become the First Lady of Nigeria, such dreams are minimal, compare to what I desire. So, controversies are what can tarnish one’s image in achieving such dreams.
So being conscious of such controversies early enough helps. Even for the sake of one’s children, there are some things you have to stay away from, because one’s scandal can affect the children in future. I am not saying I am a saint, but I try as much as possible to stay away from it because of my family, my father, especially.
Any plans to take after your father as actresses now venture into music?
Funny enough, I have never thought about it. If I was interested I would have done it a long time ago. In fact, maybe I would have even gone into music rather than movies, but the zeal was not just there. I am passionate about acting and that is my interest. I am a good singer as the case maybe. I sometimes sing too, but when you are involved with too many things you mix them up. I sing for fun, when I am less busy I compose and sing different songs like Juju, Gospel and Highlife music.
How is your career going, as a professional actress, what should we expect from you?
Well, I thank God for what I have been through in the past. It has been God’s mercies. Acting as a career has been good. At least, it earned me a comfortable living. Whatever I am today in the industry is by the grace of God. I have paid my dues too. I mean I paid respect to my elders who I met as upcoming artists at that moment. He also used a lot of people to bring me into limelight. I was not too desperate to become a star. I waited for God’s time and he used Wale Adenuga. Super Story was my break in my industry and since then, the sky has been the beginning. It has been going good to the glory of God. Well, my last epic movie, titled “Isese” is still trendy and I recorded a huge success. The ongoing project my fans should look up to is a Reality TV Show I am working on. I don’t want to disclose it now. I want it to come like a surprise. But it is going to hit the screen soon.
Won’t it look like everyone is doing a TV show and then you want to do it too?
Won’t it look like everyone is doing a TV show and then you want to do it too?
Well, I am not competing with anybody and this world is about someone being the first to invent a thing and others will follow. This TV show idea is not my own personal thing, an organization is the brain behind it and I was selected to anchor the show as soon as it is set to be on air.
What is the relationship between you and your daughter and does it look like she is going to take after you?
(Laughs). She’s a different person entirely, she loves being personal, and all by herself, which can never be part of me. I have lots of friends and I still make friends, but my daughter will not. As a matter of fact, it looks strange to her, when I mingle with friends, she is a very quiet person, although, I try to create ample time for her when she is on holiday. She is a grown up girl, and she is just 14, but acts more matured than her age.
It was confirmed that your marriage was abusive and you were insisting on making it a success, was it true?
Well, as a Christian, we don’t believe in divorce marriage, marriage is for better or for worse’. I believe with prayers and supplications to God, everything can work, forgetting that naturally things are not just meant to be. That is why some people, women, specially are attacked with serious and deadly ailment all in the name of saving their marriages. Marriage is a relationship just like friendship. So, if you are not getting the best from your friend, it is better and more peaceful to quit. I would not like to state instances of what I went through on the pages of newspapers, but I tell you a neighbor once advised I should quit before I lose my life in the cause of saving my marriage. “Only an insane woman would quit a marriage that is blissful and pleasurable.”
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