celebrities
Nollywood veteran, Sola Sobowale’s journey from ‘Toyin Tomato’ to caregiver in London
Sola Sobowale, a veteran in Nigeria’s Nollywood movie industry, has recounted her ordeal while working as a caregiver in London, England.
The 58-year-old actress, noted for her acting prowess in movie scenes, made the revelation during her interview on the ‘Teju Baby Face Show’ on Tuesday.
The thespian said she left Nigeria in 2004 and returned 12 years after for the audition of a movie.
While the show host asked why she referred to herself as ‘elevated omo odo,’ literally meaning ‘a glorified servant,’ the talented actress gave the narration in the form of a person who, after facing the struggles of life in many forms, was then fortunate to have conquered all obstacles.
She said, “Oh yes. It was after Toyin Tomato – Super Story that I left (for London). I left Nigeria totally in 2004 and I didn’t come back until I came for the audition of the Wedding Party in 2016.”
After featuring in the popular television drama series, ‘Toyin Tomato’ in the early 2000s; the popular actress took some time off the screens and decided to work in an unrelated role in London.
“When I started work in that office, there were Nigerians, Jamaicans, Ghanaians, and all of them know Sola Sobowale. But it was confusing because my tag read ‘Olu,’ and not Olusola,” the award-winning actress stated.
She recalled how a Nigerian man (Seye Fadipe) had walked up to her and said she looked familiar, but she refuted it. However, at a later time, the man advised her to return to acting after she had admitted that she was the same ‘Sola Sobowale’ he used to see on the TV.
Sobowale said, at that time, she worked as a caregiver, saying she would “wash, carry, clean…you’ll do everything. That was what I was doing,” adding that she would later obtain her National Vocational Qualification certificate levels 2, 3 and 4, up to the level of a team lead.
Speaking further, the veteran actress noted that “there’ll be a time that the noise, the energy that Sola Sobowale had” will be no more.
The actress stated, “When I started this ‘elevated omo odo’ thing, I started from the grassroots. Then, I went to the college. I got my NVQ 2,3,4, to a team leader.
“I believe in dignity in labour. There’s no job I won’t do to put food on my table, to provide for my children, except prostitution and fraud.”
When further asked how she managed to conceive and implement an upcoming movie project in the Indian movie industry – Bollywood, she said, “It’s the grace of God. When you’ve grace, you have everything, and that’s what has been working for me.”
She recalled that she struck up a movie project with an Indian lady (Amsha) when the popular movie streaming platform, Netflix, first came to Nigeria.
The host, Teju, featured alongside Sobowale, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bukky Wright, among others in a 1998 thriller movie directed by Tade Ogidan, titled ‘Diamond Ring.’
Another Nollywood actress, Doris Simeon, had said she was not ashamed of doing menial jobs in the United States of America, because she needed to pay her bills.
Simon said, “It was not easy starting all over, because in this place, only the tough will last. If one is lazy, one will be hungry. People who have been here for 20 to 50 years don’t find it easy, because with the kind of system they have, one cannot avoid paying bills. If one does not work, one won’t eat, and one won’t be able to pay bills.”
Famous Afrobeats singer Patoranking’s sister, Chioma, died in a home explosion, with her husband George succumbing to injuries a day later. The tragic incident occurred shortly after their housewarming and child’s birthday celebration. Media personality Cutie Juls shared the devastating news on Instagram, revealing the efforts made by Patoranking to save his brother-in-law.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Chioma, the sister of Nigerian Afrobeats star Patoranking, has died following a gas explosion in her home.
Chioma was reportedly killed instantly in the explosion, while her husband, George, fought for his life but ultimately succumbed to his injuries on September 11, 2024.
The tragic incident took place just days after their housewarming and their child’s birthday celebration.
The news was shared by media personality Cutie Juls, who posted a video of the aftermath of the explosion on Instagram.
In her post, she mentioned the efforts made by Patoranking to save his brother-in-law, including purchasing large amounts of blood in an attempt to save him. Unfortunately, George passed away in hospital, leaving their child an orphan.
Cutie Juls expressed deep concern for Patoranking, noting how much he loved his sister. She urged his friends and associates to offer him support during this difficult time.
As of now, neither Patoranking nor his management team has made any official statements regarding the tragic loss.
The news has shocked fans and the entertainment industry alike, with many expressing their condolences for the grieving family.
Food critic Opeyemi Famakin claims entertainment mogul, Cubana Chiefpriest, threatened him after a critical review of his restaurant. Famakin posted screenshots of their conversations, urging the public to hold Chiefpriest accountable if anything happens to him.
Opeyemi Famakin, a well-known food critic, has accused entertainment mogul Cubana Chiefpriest of threatening his life following a restaurant review.
Famakin, who visited Chiefpriest’s restaurant in Imo State on September 11, 2024, praised its ambiance but criticised the quality of the pastries.
Initially, Chiefpriest publicly thanked Famakin for visiting, but privately, the tone shifted. On September 12, 2024, Famakin posted screenshots of a direct message where Chiefpriest appeared to threaten him, stating that “karma is real” and suggesting Famakin would face consequences for his review.
Chiefpriest added that the restaurant in question is owned by a six-year-old, implying the review was unnecessarily harsh.
Famakin, alarmed by the message, urged the public to hold Chiefpriest accountable should anything happen to him while in Imo State.
He highlighted the disparity between Chiefpriest’s public and private responses, noting that while the public comment was polite, the private message was far more aggressive.
The situation has sparked conversations online about the power dynamics between influencers and business owners, particularly when negative reviews are involved.
Controversial Nigerian artist, Portable, ordered his men to beat a dealer over alleged failure to deliver his new car from America.
Controversial Nigerian Street-Hop artiste, Portable, has ordered his men to assault a car dealer over an alleged delay in delivering his new car.
In a video circulating on social media, the enraged singer explained that two weeks had passed since he made payment for the vehicle, yet it had not been delivered.
The car dealer, visibly distressed and sitting on the floor, was pleading with Portable as the artist furiously shouted, “Where is my car? Are you trying to kill me or scam me? I will destroy your life!”
Portable claimed the dealer had helped him ship a car from America but was now failing to deliver it on time.
According to Portable, he was supposed to make a social media post about the new car the previous day, but the dealer had been lying to him about its delivery.
In the heat of the moment, Portable instructed his men to continue beating the dealer, who was heard begging, “Please, I didn’t take your car.”
This incident occurred less than 48 hours after Portable was caught on camera slapping a preacher who was preaching at his bar, further solidifying his reputation for controversial outbursts.
Mercy Eke denies involvement in viral explicit video
Patoranking’s sister dies in tragic home explosion
Mohbad’s father demanded immediate burial after receiving N2 million – personal assistant
-
Entertainment4 weeks agoI was charging ₦5,000 per beat before fame – Flavour
-
celebrities4 weeks ago‘I don’t like meeting a girl who hasn’t had her nails done’ – Ruger
-
Entertainment4 weeks agoBBNaija S9: Why I disapproved of Wanni’s relationship with Davido – Handi
-
Entertainment4 weeks agoI was first young Nigerian artist to own a car – Ruggedman
-
Entertainment4 weeks agoDestiny Etiko speaks on alleged affair with Omotola Jalade’s husband
-
Entertainment4 weeks agoGospel singer Yinka Alaseyori cries for help over death threat
-
celebrities4 weeks agoDrake loses $450,000 bet as Plessis defeats Israel Adesanya
-
celebrities3 weeks agoMany controversies of Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko