Never! I Cannot Quit Acting - Lepa Shandy

By Gbenga Olumide

Lepa Shandy

THERE are some actors whose fans are complaining. Their fans are saying that they are no more appearing as frequently as they used to, especially now that they are married.

One of such actors is Shade Omoniyi-Kassim. Her fans are grumbling, saying her face has been appearing too irregularly since her marriage a few years ago. They are complaining that marriage has taken her away from the profession that made her what she is.

But speaking with Roll Tape during the week, Shade, widely known as Lepa Shandy, said she was still very much in the industry, adding that she and acting were inseparable. “I’m still very much in the industry. Let me tell you: I can’t abandon acting. Acting is in my blood. We are inseparable.”

She, however, admitted that she was trying to reduce her appearance. “One thing is I try to reduce my appearance; and two, I have other things that I do, and these things equally take my time. But this does not mean that I don’t take part in films any longer. I even have my own project that I’m working on right now. It will be out soon.”

And how has she been able to cope so far with marriage, considering that she was bespattered with her own share of scandalous reports in her days as a spinster.
Lepa Shandy said it was God’s favour that has seen her through. “To God be the glory,” she began, “I’m enjoying my marriage. It’s been hitch-free so far because of God’s assistance. I’m doing well matrimonially. I am coping very well. And I thank God again for the kind of husband I have. My husband is very understanding. He has never disturbed me concerning my profession. Instead, he encourages me the more.

Sometimes, we co-produce my films. He has been there for me. With the fact that my husband is very understanding about my profession, and with God on our side, I have been able to cope. Granted, marriage is not an easy task, but I thank God I’ve been able to cope. I must also thank my mother-in-law. She is simply super."

Asked further on her new project to know when it is due, Lepa Shandy said one thing is to make a film and another thing is to bring it out, adding, “I cannot say the exact time when it will come out, because I’m not in a hurry; but as soon as it’s ready, my fans will see it.”

Lepa Shandy, who has just arrived from an overseas trip, said that apart from acting, she was also involved in business. "Yes, I’m into business. I have a salon and I also run a video club – all in Lagos."

What if offered a job in an oil company or the giant communications company in place of acting which everybody says only bring in stipends in Nigeria, Lepa Sandy said she could never quit acting.

“I can never quit my acting job. Even if I’m offered a mouth-watering job, I will tell them that I cannot abandon acting. If I won’t be stopped from going on locations, I may consider their appointment. But I cannot leave my job (acting) for any reason(s) at all.”

According to her, she was not born into acting. “My parents are not artistes, I just developed interest in it and it has been keeping me going. If not for the interest, most of us would have left the job.”

Lepa Shandy is now a mother of two – a girl and a boy; but she said that in spite of her marriage, she still had a lot of admirers. “I must tell you that there is never a day that I go out without at least one admirer making a pass at me. But I try to manage it politely by telling them that I’m no more a girl; I’m a woman now. I stay indoors a lot." She told her fans to keep their fingers crossed and watch her in her best performance this year.

Nothing Special About Me; I’m Just Acting - Mike Bamiloye

Gbenga Olumide

Bamiloye

EVANGELIST Mike Bamiloye is by all standards a celebrity and icon in the drama in dustry. He is the President and Founder, The Mount Zion Faith Ministries Int’l, a full-time evangelical drama and film productions ministry based in Ibadan, Nigeria.

He is also the Executive Director, The Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama, an institution established since 1991 for the training of drama ministers from churches, campuses and ministries. As the CEO, The Mount Zion Film Productions, he is a Christian Playwright, Christian Producer and Director. He is currently the Chairman, Board of Trustees of All Nigeria Conference of Evangelical Drama Ministers (ANCEDRAM).

Speaking recently with Roll Tape, Bamiloye said the Mount Zion Faith Ministries is a drama and film production ministry, adding that the ministry was started in 1985 and till date, he has seen the good hands of God in all he does.

He continued, “We started as drama ministers that mostly performed on stage until 1989 when we launched the film outfit.

"That is how we started; but now, we have Mount Zion Film Production – which is a vibrant arm of the ministry – that sees to the production and sale of all Mount Zion films.

Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama is an institute that trains and impacts on individuals or corporate bodies that have the call of God for the Christian ministry. The school opens for training November every year. Also, inside Mount Zion Ministry is Mount Zion Media Consultancy that markets all our films.

"Apart from sales, they serialise our film into episodes and send to television stations for transmission. Looking at all the dimensions of our ministry today, I can really say that the Lord has been so faithful to us.”

Reacting to a question, Bamiloye noted that at the founding of the ministry, a lot of names were suggested, but that the one that registered most strongly in his heart was Mount Zion.

“We felt reluctant about the name, because that name is associated with Cherubim and Seraphim Church. But as God would have it, I met a friend who opened a portion of the scripture in Obadiah 1:17 —"But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, it will be holy and the house of Jacob will possess their possession"). Then, I knew the name was beyond any denomination. God also told me that I would have to pursue the ministry with faith.”

Bamiloye further explained that the inspiration for the titles of his films comes from God, adding that his films are produced to address a particular issue. We derive titles from a particular message we want to pass across to the people.

Does Bamiloye see himself as a celebrity? Not at all. He said, “I don’t see myself as a celebrity. To me, I am just an instrument in the hands of God for service. I see what I have achieved so far as so small to what I can do. So, I wake up everyday with a desire in my heart to do more than I did yesterday. I don’t see anything so special about me; I am just an instrument in the hands of God for kingdom service.”

To the glory of God, all the children of Bamiloye – both male and female – are involved in film making.

"They are already in it. My first son wrote The Youthful Lusts and had his mother feature in it. He is also in charge of drama in his school. He also coordinates the youth drama group of our church.

"In our latest film The Forgotten Ones, one of them participated in the sound track. In a nutshell, all of us are involved in it.”