By Olaseeni Durojaiye, Correspondent, Lagos march 14 2007

One thing stands them out even in the midst of multitude of thespians. And that is the gift of exquisite acting fine-tuned by quality training.


They are not the ubiquitous type and as such are rarely seen in run of the mill movies or television dramas. Yet, they command immense audience following and respect among their professional colleagues.

They have also come a long way and have continued to gather more fans with every new appearance in movies or television drama. What more?

All of them, we gathered, choose the movies they appear in and have over the years continued to live up to expectations. Not once in recent times have they disappointed their teeming fans. Some these gifted artistes include:

Dejumo Lewis

Those who followed the rested Village Headmaster when it ran in the 1980s cannot forget the enigmatic character as the Kabiyesi, Oba Ajelende, the Oloja of Oja. At a time his baritone voice and peculiar pronunciation of words like ‘My’ as ‘Moi’ became well-known that even the blind could identified the speaker as the Oloja of Oja.

For younger television viewers, his role in Blaze Of Glory is still very fresh in the minds of those who followed the quality drama piece. So also were his outings in Owo Ale, Odidere, among other Yoruba movies. In fact, it is said that whoever wants him in his production must go after him, as he is not one to go about begging or lobbying for movie roles.

Fondly called Kabiyesi by folks and admirers alike, he once told this reporter that he would not touch any movie that has no germane and didactic message for the audience with a 10-foot pole, and an evaluation of the movies and TV plays he had appeared in corroborated this including Agogo Eewo, Saworide, among others.

Perhaps, this had to do with an aspect of his training at the seminary from where he opted for acting, which he sees as another medium to impart what is just and right on the populace. Little wonder he neither drinks nor smokes, unlike many other artistes.

Akin Akin-Lewis:

Whether on screen or not, Akin Akin-Lewis is as interesting a character as a thriller novel can be. The chubby actor, a product of the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), had always been a headline material since he appeared in Why Worry, which was very popular in the late 1970s through early 1980s.

This continued when he joined the cast of Koko Close.

His role as the drug addict husband of yet another very talented actress, Joke Jacobs, in Lola Fani-Kayode’s Mind Bending is still a reference point on how to translate such roles among actors. Many who saw that mini series swore they had not seen anything near the way he played an urbane, upwardly mobile husband that was hooked on drugs. He was that outstanding, yet he contended that acting was like relaxation for him.

"Acting is relaxation for me. I act in my spare time, that’s why I don’t take just any role. In fact, any producer who wants me in his production must act around me," he told Daily Independent. If you have seen Madam Dearest and Pasitor Dehinde – a Yoruba movie – you will agree with him.

It is an evidence of the high professional competence he brings to locations such that even though he voluntarily opted out of the industry to work for the Lord as an evangelist for some years, upon his return it didn’t take long before respected producers came knocking on his door with offers.

Industry insiders who know him well said he would not come as near as 10 kilometres to any production that is not worth it, which is why he is as rare in home videos as comets are in the sky.

Currently playing a lead role in Cyberia, a television soap running on more than 10 stations across the six geo-political zones in the country, his last outing on television before now was also a lead role in Blaze Of Glory.

Bimbo Manuel:

A very good example of Nollywood player, with a commendable difference, Manuel, a University of Calabar-trained actor, would not be caught dead with a minor role in any production – whether in movies or television.

For example, as Nduka in rested Checkmate, his household was a beehive of activities. Even though some claimed that audience are attracted to him due to the trouble in his marriage, whether you agreed or not, the fact remains that he interpreted the role to the delight of many viewers. So was his roles in many other home videos he’d done including the most recent, Sitanda. Little wonder he told us, "I only play major roles" in an interview early this year.

Of course, he is in many home videos but we are certain the broadcaster cum actor never went begging for the roles. "I can never beg for movie roles," he said.

Joke Jacobs

Some of the acts mentioned above have said several things in interviews with us in the past, and one recurring fact is the attestation of Joke Jacobs’ sterling acting qualities. Not only was she trained abroad she has this penchant for arresting viewers’ attention anytime her face appears on screen. Daily Independent recalls her role as Lari Williams’ girlfriend in Mirror In The Sun as one of her early proofs as a very good actress. She followed up with every single production she had appeared in since then, including Mind Bending, Blaze Of Glory, Women’s Cot and lately Amazing Grace, where she played Mariah Davies, the narrator.

Blessed with a sweet voice that is always a delight to the ears, and a diction that makes even professional broadcasters green with envy, Joke Jacobs (nee Silva), is a delight to watch any day, and you can be sure not to see her in ‘street language’ movie or television production. Little wonder many Nollywood producers run after her with movie scripts.

Bukky Zinab Ajayi:

Very gifted cross-over actress and in fact one of the leading actresses in the land, the very religious woman has been a delightful performer, whether on stage, television or movies including Yoruba and English language genres.

It would be an understatement to say she does not appear in just any movies. To her credit are very commendable outings such as The Mourning After and Thunderbolt (movies) Sister (stage play) and several top Yoruba movies.

Trained abroad, many younger artistes of both sexes had revealed in interviews that she was a source of inspiration to them especially with the way she teaches them the tricks of the trade. She won the respect of many members of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) when she joined the artistes’ night event to honour the late J.T. Tom West.

Nobert Young:

Very much on the quiet side, preferring acting to speak for him, he once said that he wouldn’t take just any role because he cherished his name and would not want to appear in any production that isn’t worth it. Viewers are currently savouring Norbert Young’s acting acumen especially his lead role in Edge Of Paradise, which is being aired on DStv.

Olu Jacobs:

Very well-respected in the industry, he is one of the most experienced hands on the job and one of the few with acting experience from abroad. But over time, producers and production financiers have come to like his face and the way he interpretes his roles so much that they want him in too many movies than is good for his reputation. Pundits point at his appearance in the video of actor St. Obi’s new song as yet another appearance that does him any good.

But for outings such as this and many more, the actor fondly called Uncle Olu would eminently rank in the elitist class.

Richard Mofe- Damijo:

No doubt in a class of his own. In fact, many industry watchers cite him as the leader of his generation of actors, though some hold contrary views. Whichever way, RMD – his acronym – acts with some touch of class and is the darling of many movie buffs, especially the female folks. But, like Olu Jacobs, , he has made too many appearances than is good for his rating, especially before he was blacklisted alongside other actors and actresses.

Currently not in circulation in the industry, any time he takes up movie roles, viewers can be certain of a classic performance.