Encomium
A-list comic actor, Hafiz Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, in an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, unveiled his love for acting and teaching of theatre arts in other to build a better generation in the industry.
He also said that he never regretted dumping Etisalat for MTN in this exclusive chat.
2014, by all indications, was a spectacular year for you. How will you describe the year generally?
It was a fulfilling year and I thank God. Professionally and spiritually, the Lord really blessed me.
What are your goals and plans for 2015?
First, to go on air before the year runs out with my own programme I am working on right now. Second, to be professionally enhanced, upgraded and add value to people’s lives, to develop Nigeria and humanity in general.
Does that mean you are considering politics?
No! I am not going into politics at all.
How are you enjoying your romance with MTN?
Fine, it’s alright, professionally and fulfilling. I am very grateful to God.
What would you say it has done for you?
It has added more value to me professionally. In all ramifications, it serves as another level for me. It has improved my creativity, my professional mileage and I thank God.
Are you looking forward for more endorsement?
Of course, I am looking for more. I am still looking for more professional upgrading endorsements so that I can be improved. I also teach, so I use that medium to upgrade my knowledge as well.
What do you love doing?
I teach theatre arts at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos. I have not been doing anything aside theatre arts, I studied theatre arts, I teach theatre and also practice theatre arts.
We learnt you were erecting your own building, are you through with it now?
(Laughs) No comment.
How long is your contract with MTN, is it renewable, and when will it be renewed?
The contract is renewable and it is a two year contract. 2015 makes it two years and when it will be renewed is personal.
You are also one of the faces of Soulmate hair cream, but it is a woman’s product. How did you get the deal and how much is it worth?
It’s unethical to mention the amount, but as an artiste, I can play so many roles. As a father, I have female children, married to a woman, born by a woman. So, I believe anything that can add value to their lives, I will be part of it.
How long will it last?
It is a run-off thing. It is not an endorsement. It’s just a commercial thing, that’s all.
What is the latest development about your Ph.D?
It’s getting too slow. I had a great challenge when my office got burnt. Most of my materials got burnt. So, I was so discouraged, but one of my bosses encouraged me. In one or two years, I should get over it.
We learnt there is a crush on you by female students in Ijanikin where you lecture. How do you cope with it, how is your wife taking it?
I would say I don’t have any challenge with any female student. I am a teacher. I teach and my students know that there is a difference between Saka and Hafiz, the lecturer. In Yoruba adage, it is said that eshin kin je koriko abe (A horse does not eat the grass under to excel). To avoid scandal, it is not advisable to have anything with female students.
God has been so good to me. I have control over those little distractions as an artiste. I have so many privileges to meet with mature ladies, so I don’t have much challenge. But I thank God for the grace to overcome distractions.
How often do you get scripts?
Scripts come very often, but I participate not as often as they come. Reason being that, you get to a level that you have to pick what you do. I take my time to study scripts, but diplomatically reject scripts that are not worthy.
How do you respond when you don’t want to accept script?
You just have to be humble and diplomatic. For instance, as an individual, you have a way you present yourself as Saka and for the script you can’t take it. So, by doing that, I will explain my reason.
Every script is good because the person who wrote it must have gone through many stages to put that down so with that you don’t rubbish people’s work, because you have a right to say no or yes.
As a teacher, there is no time to do every script that comes my way. It is the time and knowledge that I pass to the students that matters a lot because they might end up teaching my children who will become great.
Do you have any other source of income aside MTN and Soulmate?
Yes, I get paid by the government and I spend that salary on other people’s children because if I don’t spend money on those children, I will end up spending it on my children. That’s why I don’t accept scripts that will affect my teaching and my career.
What is your problem with Etisalat?
I want to thank God. Since that incident, people believe it was because of money that MTN got me. It wasn’t like that. I have never done anything except theatre because theatre is like a passion to me, so I don’t want to do anything to tarnish my image.
I am over 50, so I do things that will make me fulfilled. What people don’t know is that what you love doing is worth doing well. Aside money, I want peace of mind, fulfillment, prosperity, so that those that pass through me will benefit from it.
Also, anybody that comes to Ijanikin to study theatre arts will be taught professionalism. That I am a theatre person does not make me nonentity. If a carpenter is living well and is treated well, as a theatre person, I should be treated well, not only in terms of money. I also want to retire when I am still active. I want to be a production consultant. I have registered with the appropriate body.
How do you feel when you go out and everybody wants to greet you?
I want to use this medium to apologize to everyone who might think I have wronged him in any way. Hafiz is saying sorry. It all happened because I might be late for an appointment and I may not be able to stay to say hello but instead greet everyone there generally. It’s just that I am shy. Hafiz is a reserved person.
What do you have for the up and coming artistes?
They should be focused and not distracted. There is no shortcut to success. You should be able to dance to the rhythm of life. They believe only in packaging not the content, but when you have good content and you package it, you will be well respected and valued with God on your side.
-TEMITOOPE OYEDELE
