Nigerian Movie Star Profile
Emeka Ike
Background
I am a Lagosian by birth and all my education was here in Lagos. I studied
Mechanical Engineering in the university. We are nine in the family from the
same parents; Elder and Mrs. Nicholas Ike. I recently lost my dad but my
parents were the founders of Assemblies of God Church at Isolo. Now, we are
all into our own thing now, all scattered into various professions.
Getting into Nollywood
Ernest Obi actually introduced me to Uncle Charles Owoyemi. Ernest was then
on the set of Fortunes- a soap opera. He was my close friend and I wanted to
act like him. I was very nervous and had lots of butterflies the first time
I was auditioned but apparently I did it well because I was invited again
after a week. That was the beginning and I have never looked back.
I started with Deadly Affair in 1984 although soaps were popular then. I
have since done several films and have lost count of how many. I am a busy
man and there was a time I worked non-stop. I don’t go to clubs and don’t
spend time fraternising.
Being a father even as a playboy
I was telling my wife this morning that if she gets pregnant again, I would
remove her womb (laughter). I am really scared to get her pregnant again. I
have two troublesome boys but I love them dearly. It gives me an
indescribable joy to watch them run around as Superman and Spiderman in my
house. It feels good to have someone to leave your legacy for. If you have
not tried it, you won’t know what you are missing during all those lonely
periods. As for my reputation as a playboy or ladies’ man, it was never
really on the negative side. I never really played around. I have not always
got involved with ladies but I have tried to be a role model
Me and my wife
I shot a film, 7-12, and I had to take a loan of N3million naira from
someone. I was so scared that I was going to church all the time, praying
that all my investment would not go down the drain. I have to pay back the
money and my father was not rich so I could not afford any loss. I was
attending Fountain of Life Church then and one day Pastor Bimbo Odukoya said
young men must preserve themselves for marriage. She said, "If you have too
many girlfriends, you won’t know when your wife passes by". It made sense to
me and I parted ways with all my ex-relationships. So, that period I was in
the studio editing and I have not had a bath for about three days when I
looked out of the window and saw this beautiful half-caste in front of Tade
Ogidan’s office. She was so natural and she never had too much make-up on or
the usual eye shadow that I see everyday. She looked shy with a nice
personality. I saw all these without speaking to her. I sent someone to call
her but I could not get to meet her that day.
Three days later I met her again at the same place but this time I went to
meet her but I could not even introduce myself properly because I have
forgotten how to toast a lady. They usually became my friends immediately
but this one was not even my fan. I managed to talk to her anyhow and that
was early 2000.
When did you get married?
We got married August 2000. When you meet your wife, you can’t afford to
waste time. No long courtship for me because I knew immediately that she
would be my wife when I met her. I even asked her to marry me that first day
but I guess she thought I was crazy. When I met her, it was really difficult
because I had to travel out of Lagos immediately and I spent the next three
months in different locations but something told me she would still be there
for me when I got back.
On that first day, she told me she was too poor to be my wife and I was
touched by her humility. As soon as I got back to Lagos, I went to look for
her at the place she told me she lived. I was so tired of all the fake girls
around me and she was like a breath of fresh air. One thing girls don’t know
is that guys know when you are fake.
Everything happened naturally and we fell in love. Her mum resisted our
union at first because she felt her daughter deserved a better man but today
everything is okay.
Five years in marriage
You need to see my wife dancing for me this morning at the balcony when I
was leaving for work. I was playing music in my car and I just felt lucky.
We are still the way we are five years ago even after two kids.
Afro and braided hair –any venture into music?
You know show business is dynamic. It’s always evolving. I just want to look
different but nothing to do with music. I just own a studio and we hope to
produce music stars soon. I do play many musical instruments but I don’t
think I can sing well enough to be a musician. I will stick to my acting.
Going back to acting
Acting is what I know how to do best. I have not done anything else and no
bank will employ me now because they will say they can’t pay me. My fans
have been calling and asking when I will be back. I look forward to going
back and I will continue to give my best.
Tel:571-247-2679 email:contact@nigeriamovies.net
