Encomium
On Wednesday, December 21, 2011, top Yoruba actress, Iyabo Ojo celebrated her birthday with children living with Down Syndrome. The delectable actress, in company of her film and dancing school students, alongside her blackberry group, Sexy Pink Ladies, packaged a fun filled event for the kids, where love and gifts were shared.
Mercy Aigbe, Muka Ray and Sikiratu Sindodo, who recently recovered from an ailment, graced the event. The birthday gal, Iyabo Ojo, who clocked 34, shared a few words with ENCOMIUM Weekly at the ceremony.
Congratulations on your 34th birthday.
Thank you very much.
As you clock 34 today, are you where you imagined you’ll be?
You can never really imagine where you’ll be, but I’ve been blessed this year because a lot of my dreams have been fulfilled. My act group is doing fine, it’s called Future Stars. My dance school called Kinda Love to Dance, is also doing fine.
I thank God that today I’m able to celebrate with these kids living with Down syndrome and I’m really happy to be blessed as a mother and to be alive, well and happy. I thank God that I also just completed a big story of mine called Arinzo which is still in the studio.
So, I have achieved a lot this year and I thank God for where I am. I thank God for my group called Sexy Pink Ladies. We’re growing big and I’m so happy.
What inspired your decision to celebrate with kids with Down syndrome?
I love children and I just wanted to share that love with them. I never wanted it to be restricted to just kids that are doing fine, I wanted it to be with all kinds of kids. I am doing this with Down syndrome, by Easter I should be celebrating with another set of kids. I just want to share love around, just let them know that they are loved.
At 34, what lesson would you say life has taught you?
Life has taught me that when you are humble and when you have a lot of love in your heart, it will take you place.
Would you say you are fulfilled?
I am not yet fulfilled because I have not really reached that peak but I thank God that I am getting there.
You recently completed the shoot of your movie, Arinzo, what informed the title?
Arinzo is a nickname from Arinola, the lead character. We just wanted a name that would strike a chord, make people want to know what’s going on. That’s how we decided on the name, Arinzo.
Who are the acts you paraded in the movie?
They are many –Bimbo Akintola, Toyin Aimakhu, Mercy Aigbe, myself, Antar Laniyan, Ricardo Agbor, Ogogo, Yinka Quadri. I had my Ghanaian actors as well, like Teco Blackson, I had Bibi Bright and so many of them. But Bimbo Akintola, myself and Toyin Aimakhu played the lead characters.
We learnt it was shot in Ghana, why the choice of location?
I went to Ghana and I really fell in love with the environment and I just felt like, since we are all one Africa, I just have it all combined together. My story had me going across the border, I decided to choose Ghana.
What’s the movie, Arinzo about?
It’s an action packed movie, you’ll get to learn a lot. Whatever sin you commit would still come back to haunt you, live your life well and you’ll enjoy it and your kids also will enjoy it. When you do evil, know that your kids are bound to share in the evil things you did. So, live your life right. Your evil deeds would end up with your children.
What stands it out from all your other movies?
Arinzo is a movie I spent millions of naira on and it was shot not only here, but in Ghana with a large cast and big budget, lots of equipment were used. I am telling you, of all the works I have done, this is the best for now.
When is it billed to be released?
We are taking it round the cinemas but hopefully by the middle of next year it should be out.
How are you juggling your career and single motherhood?
It’s God. Everything we do is with God’s consent, God does everything.
Any plan to remarry?
Maybe when the right man comes I will. I would get married once the right guy comes.
- This story was first published in ENCOMIUM Weekly on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
