Encomium
Femi Ogedengbe is a Nollywood actor cum film producer. On Tuesday, May 27, 2014, his wife, Nkechi delivered a set of twins, a boy and a girl. On Tuesday, June 3, 2014, he named them Nollywood and Holywood – and the decision generated a lot of criticism.
In an exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, he explained why it happened that way…
How will you describe the joy of fatherhood?
The truth is that every responsible person knows exactly how he feels when blessed by God with just a child. Anyone who has had that experience will be in a better position to appreciate the joy someone with twins will feel. I can’t express my joy in words. It’s unspeakable.
What are the names of the twins?
The boy is King Promise Michael Tochukwu Iyinoluwa Victor Jesuogbo Hollywood while the girl is Queen Grace Nollywood.
Why did you name them Nollywood and Hollywood?
The names we all bear today were the ingenuity of our forefathers, from history, experiences, family names and situations. And I am not different. The names are my own way of appreciating the industry that gave me a chance, that’s Nollywood. And the industry I aspire to breakthrough is Hollywood.
Some people criticized you for naming them Nollywood and Hollywood, what’s your take on that?
I will simply say thank you to them for giving me attention. It shows they noticed me. Also, it shows they left their own problems to respond to a post about a guy with very humble background from Dagbale Akoko Edo who grew in the slums of Mushin.
Furthermore, to those who say I am an attention seeker, I would say thanks to them for granting my wife and I undue attention. Sadly, it didn’t come with money.
What are the pains and gains of fathering twins in these hard times?
Though I am not at the lowest period of my life, one thing I can’t toy with is my family. They are well taken care of because I had nine months to plan for them. And by faith, I can see the beauty of sunrise at the end of a gloomy day.
-FEMI OYEWALE
