BY FEMI FABUNMI
Akinola Akano popularly known as Segbowe is an actor par excellence, his wealth of experience and acting prowess speak volume of him, he has carved a niche for himself in Nollywood. The Yoruba sitcom Awon Aladun de where he plays a comic character and a nosy neighbour launched him into the movie world many years back.
According to him, acting is in-built as well as scriptwriting. The voice Magazine crew caught up with him in Ibadan and he shares his growing up story, how he hawked fried fish and ice water on the streets of Ibadan to support his family.
Excerpts
For your fans who would love to know you better, let us meet you?
My name is Emmanuel Akinola Akano; a lot of people call me Segbowe and that’s because of the role I play in ‘Awon Aladun de’, the popular Yoruba sitcom that’s shown on Africa Magic. I am an actor, a scriptwriter and, by the grace of God, a husband now.
The story of your marriage didn’t make the news?
Oh not really, at first it didn’t make the news but at some point when my friends started to share the pictures, the news began to spread so I decided to share the pictures on Instagram myself. That’s how it officially made the news.
Tell us about your family?
I am the first. I have siblings, my mum still lives but dad passed many years ago.
How did you get the role of Segbowe in the popular Sitcom Awon Aladun de?
I went for audition for a role in the sitcom. I was later invited to play the role of a day actor in the shoot; however, the entire shoot that particular day didn’t go down well with the executive director. The whole process was halted and the sitcom restructured then a new character ‘Segbowe’ was introduced. The character was about a nosy neighbour who was always coming to the house to say funny things, God put it in their hearts to pick me among everyone who came for the audition. I didn’t get it automatically though, they made me audition for it again and when they noticed I did it very well they chose to give me the role.
What this means is that Segbowe isn’t your personal brand?
Yes, it isn’t. The character ‘Segbowe’ belongs to the producer of Awon Aladun De; they created the name and the role I am just playing the character.
How did acting start for you?
There is this Yoruba saying that goes thus, Omo to ba ma je Ashamu, ati kekere loti ma shey enu shamu shamu. One would always see a trait of what a child would become from the actions of the child. I started showing the traits of actor from childhood; I would join the drama group in school; I belonged to the drama department in church; I started a group back at school, where I directed drama all in all it has always been in me.
Fill us in about your educational background?
Actually, I spent most of my life in Ibadan. I attended a lot of schools though; I was always dropping out from one school to another because of financial difficulties. I started from private school but ended up in public school. I later finished from Bishop Philips Academy in Iwo road Ibadan. I later proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University where I did diploma in Industrial and Labour Relations before proceeding to Tai Solarin University of Education where I read English Studies and I finished in 2012.
How was childhood like for you?
Childhood was tough and sweet; we had financial challenges, I had to hawk and do menial jobs just to support the family.
What exactly did you hawk?
I hawked fried fish at some points, then later wara diddin, bread, egg, ice water, vegetables and so on. I also did bricklaying and many menial jobs. Dad passed away while I was very young and the onus of fending for the family fell on my mum. She had a shop that was gutted by fire and she lost everything she had. It was very tough growing up but we thanked God for where we are today.
At what point did you know it was going to be acting for you?
I have always known that. While my peers were saying they wanted to become doctors, I knew I was going to be an entertainer. I didn’t set out to be an actor, I wanted to do many things in the entertainment circle, presenting, modelling, script writing and many more but later In life, I decided to prioritize, at this point, I knew I could act and write scripts. See, I have a role model, Tyler Perry, that I look up to he’s somebody that inspires me a lot. My dad wanted me to study Law or Political Science but, as God would have it, I did English and we were hoping to do Law at some point just because of my dad. At the same time, I knew by the time I graduate I should have grown enough to insist that it would be acting for me but, unfortunately, he didn’t even live to see me graduate but I have acted the role of a lawyer in movies and I dedicate that to him.
Has acting paid off for you?
Well, I’m not complaining. It may not have taken care of all that I need but it does pay my bills and I thank God for that. Sometimes your pals call you and they will be like please come help us play a certain role it’s just transport money we will give you . One has to do it because of the passion.
Which do you love playing, comic or serious roles?
As an actor, I can play any. Truth is I love to play action roles like action movies but it isn’t common here yet; but the truth is: bring on any role and I will try to deliver.
Locally, who are your role models?
There are people I respect in the industry, they are Ibrahim Chatta, Gabriel Afolayan, Odunlade Adekola, Antar Laniyan. I look at their works and give them kudos.
The brand Segbowe had long hair, why did you cut it ?
I wasn’t going to act Segbowe alone, I carved out that personality with the hair to create an identity, it was my own initiative. When I got the role and was told it was a comic role I decided to change the face of comic roles with that long hair but later I decided to cut it and they gave their permission.
Tell us your relationship with other cast and crew of Awon Aladun De?
We are all fine, everybody is doing well. The relationship on and off set is very cordial. People see me and ask about Junior and they do that with him too. Jumoke is also doing well; she is married now and based abroad but she shuttles between Nigeria and Canada.
How do you handle your female admirers and fans who would always want to rough handle you on the street?
I am kind of lucky because people see me and laugh first before they even think of asking for money. Sometimes we just laugh and play together and part with whatever I have once in a while then I move on. For female admirers, I have always had encounters with them even when I hadn’t become an actor but I always apply wisdom.
Where are you from?
Well, I am a native of Iwo in Osun State, a lot of people think I’m from Badagry because of the name Segbowe which originate from there. I speak the Badagry language and slangs in Awon Aladun De but I leanrt it not that I am from there.
Give a message to your fans?
They should keep supporting and pray for us, we need their support and even money. Without them, there are no us.
