It’s true men have broken my heart but I’ve broken theirs, too - Uche Jombo

By David Ajiboye
Uche Jombo

Despite her late father’s warning that she should not venture into acting, "very stubborn" Ucheobi Jessica Jombo damned all consequences and gave her body and soul to Nollywood."I disobeyed my very strict dad who is now deceased to go into acting.

My first movie was Visa To Hell by Fidelis Duker in 1998. But Adure by Charles Ifeduba, where I played lead the following year, really established my name and presence in Nollywood".

From Abiriba, Abia State, Jombo also made headlines few years ago when her celebrated romance with veteran actor, Norbert Young, crashed amid accusations and counter accusations from the estranged lovers. "I don’t like talking about my affair with Norbert. He is now married and we greet whenever we see," she said in a voice filled with emotion.

Uche, who read Maths and Statistics from the University of Calabar, in this exclusive chat, also spoke glowingly about the new man in her life. "He is humorous, dark and tall.”

You’ve been so quiet in terms of acting in recent times? What is happening?
Nothing! No problem at all, I’ve been working, only that I chose to keep away from the media. About five of my movies are already out.

But the story making the rounds in Nollywood is that your new lover does not want you in showbiz any longer?
Sincerely speaking, I’m hearing this for the first time. The people spreading this ugly rumour, were they there when the warning was given to me by my lover? People should mind their own business and leave Uche Jombo alone. For God’s sake, I’ve been busy since last year working and some lazy people are out there spreading false tales about me. In fact, I even had to excuse myself from location to grant you this interview. I’m currently on location working back to back. The fact that my fans no longer get to read about me often as it was in the past, does not mean I’m out of showbiz. A man that truly loves you should not tell you to quit the legal business that makes you very happy. I can’t quit acting for anybody. It is part of me.

Aside veteran actor, Norbert Young whom you dated then, have you dated any other Nollywood actor?
No other actor except him. And please, I’m not going to entertain any more questions from that angle again. Sincerely speaking, there is no big deal in dating my colleague, especially when the love, respect and sparks are there.

But was it true that after the bitter break-up, you and Norbert became sworn enemies?
No! We only went our separate ways. I greet him whenever we see. Why should we be enemies in the first place?

Then, they also said you felt really bad and dejected when the rosy affair suddenly crashed?
Please, I want you to tell me why we are talking about Norbert Young here. I don’t want to talk about a married man. Norbert Young is a no-go area, please.

Some years ago, you produced your debut movie entitled Ibinabo: Since then, we have not heard anything from you again in terms of producing. Why?
Nothing was really responsible for my not producing more movies. I’m just being careful and studying the industry. Uche Jombo has not abandoned the art of movie making as a producer.

Ibinabo, your debut effort as a producer, was it a commercial success?
Sincerely speaking, the movie was okay commercially when we released it in 1999.

How did you come into Nollywood?
I came into Nollywood like every other actress. My first movie was Visa To Hell by Fidelis Duker, that was in 1998. But Adure, which was my first lead role by Charles Ifediba, catapulted me to fame.

What were you doing before storming Nollywood?
Before coming in, I was doing what I still do now. I write and produce advert copies and jingles. I was doing that for Manny Bank before embracing acting fully. Then and even now, I do one or two legitimate businesses for corporate bodies. I also write much. I’m a total productions person.

As somebody who read Maths and Statistics, many people expected you to be in the financial sector. Why did you opt for showbiz?
In a way, I’m practising what I read in the university. You calculate every aspect of your life. And that is exactly what I’m doing. The only difference is that I’m not stucked in a nine to five kind of job. I can’t do that because I’m too hyper active. The fact is that I can’t sit in a place for a long time. Again, I’ve never worked for anybody all my life.

Did your parents give their approval when you were trying to come to Nollywood?
Then, as an Abiriba man, my father objected vehemently. Being a stubborn child, I refused to listen to his advice. He later got tired and allowed me to be. Even my elder siblings were dazed on how I was able to conquer our dad, being the third in a family of nine. We are four girls and five boys. I’m stubborn, very stubborn.

What other profession would have appealed to you if you were not in Nollywood today?
Probably, I would have been a lawyer. I argue much about the things I know. I would have also gone into television big time.

Have you been heart broken by men before?
Yes, but I won’t tell you how many times. I’ve also broken the hearts of some men. So, it’s a two-way thing.

Do you believe in love?
Yes, I do so much.

Can you still remember the exact age you fell in love first?
That should be in my university days. It was an innocent thing then o! Nothing much was at stake.

Can love make you fight over a man?
No! I can’t even fight for anything

So, what separates you from your colleagues?
Just that fact that I’m me, Uche Jombo.

Which foreign actors do you trip for?
My number one is Johnny Depp. I also like Jude Law, Jack Nicholson, Jennifer Green, and Rene Zellweger. In Nigeria here, I also admire Liz Benson and Joke Jacobs.

What was your lowest fee as an actress?
It was my debut movie. I was paid N18, 000 (eighteen thousand). Don’t bother asking about my highest, I won’t tell you.