No doubt, Richard Mofe Damijo, better known as RMD, is one entertainer, who has made his mark in Nollywood. He has virtually touched so many lives, as an actor and featured in so many movies. He has also been in Nollywood for a long time now and remains one of the relevant veterans in the entertainment industry.
In his early days of acting, RMD was Nigeria’s own Denzel Washington and despite leaving the industry for a while to answer the clarion call to serve his state as commissioner, he returned to the industry as if he never left, proving his enduring connections with his multitudes of fans. In this chat with MUTIAT LAWORE, RMD talked about the reason behind his several motivational posts on social media, his driving force and taking up police job, among others.
These days, you have turned a motivational speaker on the social media. Any reason for that?
That’s part of what I am saying. I was a young father and have a lot of catching up to do. My children have turned out right and I need to keep trying to inspire other people and in my interaction and work with younger people, I found out that there is constant need for direction and so, I feel if I can give direction at any point in time. So, what is my point on social media if I cannot pass social values? Is it to just wear good clothes and show it? I just feel I should add value because I see lots of people like my pictures and works once posted.
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So, in the process of doing that, I just felt it is needed that I drop something in there because I have an audience that I am growing genuinely. I read their comments and I equally learn from them too. For instance, if I am attending an event that deals with lots of younger people, I need to be punctual, respectful and I try as much as possible to be upstanding.
Let me take you back a bit. You played the role of a police officer in a movie and when the picture surfaced online, a lot of people admired the fitness of the uniform. Was that your first time, playing the role of a police officer?
No, this is not the first time I am playing such role.
Knowing that there are lots of negative opinion about the Nigeria Police generally, in what way do you think the movie will make an impact?
Well, Cross Road tells the good story of Police at work and it also shows some the challenges police officers face in the course of carrying out their duties. This is not a movie to launder the police image; it’s a movie about a guy who is upstanding and who happens to be a policeman and also further shows the need to be patriotic and be dedicated to their job no matter the field of work you find yourself. Kilanko Joseph is just an upstanding man, who is a goal-getter and always dedicated to his job always.
Has anyone told you the uniform looks perfect on you?
Yes!! Everybody likes the man/woman in uniform. More importantly, I have got a good body structure and, so, clothes fit so well on me.
Not considering the age, will you take the job of a police inspector?
Not at all; I am over 50 years of age and I have been working for 34 years. What am I looking for again? I am fulfilled already and, perhaps, the police job will not even employ a 56-years-old man into the service.
As one of the veterans, who is still very much relevant in the industry, what has kept you going this far?
The fact is dedication because I am 100% dedicated to the job I do and anywhere I work I put my best to it. Like I said earlier, one of those attributes that got me on the job of Cross Road is the fact that the role I am playing, ‘Kilanko’, is a dedicated man. I am a patriotic Nigerian because I love both my country and my job passionately.
Another thing is when you have any opportunity to work, it is key that you treat such work with lots of respect. Also, the kind of work I am doing is that which is gauged by an audience and I can never take my audience for granted because the day they start noticing that you don’t give them any regard, which is not paying attention to your work or craft, they walk away. I thank God that I have that sensibility and the strength to work and in the process of doing it, it is the work of my hand and God that have continuously blessed me and I cannot try with it because toying with it is like playing with my destiny.
How do you always feel when you work with the younger generation in the industry?
I feel excited and happy that through my own little wealth of knowledge, I can still impact on the lives of others. I am in the industry where we the older generations like Uncle Olu Jacob, Pete Edochie and the like are always willing to work with the younger generation. We were given the platforms when we also started. Why not let them too. I am always super excited because we are also helping them grow to success. I love young people because I taught Sunday school for a very long time and I had children early; my first son is 33 years old and my second is 32 and 30, respectively. So, I am a grandfather twice over and because I had children early, I am always readily available to interact with young ones.
When was the last time you read a book?
Well, I am currently reading a book.
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Title?
Actually, I am constantly reading books, and presently I am reading Against the Run of Plays by Segun Adeniyi
Philosophy that keeps you going?
Keep it simple always
Do you patronise made in Nigeria?
I am an advocate of made in Nigeria. I have been made in Warri and others since I became an adult. Mudi today is one of the biggest names in Nigerian fashion. Before Mudi in 1996, when I started wearing his clothes. I had started wearing Dakova’s clothes since 1985. There were people like Vivid Imagination, among others. I am a complete made in Nigeria person.
These days the society has been thrown into several cases of domestic Violence. What is your view on this?
It’s disheartening. I also campaign against domestic violence in any form that it raises its head, not just the female alone. Any kind of violence is unacceptable.