No Man Is Worth Dying For– Ndidi Obi
She came into limelight with her scintillating performance in a chart bursting film tilted ‘Nneka The Pretty Serpent’ and like a star that is destined to be, she became a celebrity in Nigeria’s movie industry. There after, she dished out many grade A performances in her subsequent appearances in other movies. Welcome to the world of Ndidi Obi, the beautiful sexy lady who alongside the likes of Reginal Askia, Sandra Achums, Liz Benzon, Hilda Dokubo and Uche Anunobi dazzled Nigerians with their sexy and beautiful faces in the early days of Nigerian film industry that later came to be known as ‘Nollywood’.After many years of absence from the scene, Ndidi is back to the business of make believe that not only made her popular, but also gave her a lot of fortune. AJIBADE ALABI met her recently where she spoke on many issues.
Excerpts:
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: We have not heard from you of late what is happening?
Ndidi: Nothing much, I am fine and okay.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Who is Ndidi Obi?
Ndidi: Ndidi Obi is a Nigerian actress from Enugu who acted the chart bursting film titled ‘Nneka The Pretty Serpent’. I am a graduate of Banking and Finance from University of Lagos.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: How and why did you get into the industry?
Ndidi: Yeah, I came into the industry for the love and flair I have for the industry of entertainment. Zeb Ejiro gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent when they were screening for ‘Nneka the Pretty Serpent.’
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: When was that?
Ndidi: That was 1994.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Has Ndidi changed since then?
Ndidi: Please, can you look back at 1994 to this period? Even you Mr. Ajibade, I am very sure you are not as you were those many years ago. Moreover, physically, I have always been on the plus side. Naturally, there must be a change; I have added many years to my years, and of course many bodily changes have occurred after nurturing a boy and a girl. As a mother of two, there must be a change. It is to be expected.
The Glitters Online/Palmcha: Apart from ‘Nneka the pretty serpent’ did you feature in any other movie?
Ndidi: I featured in others like ‘Gentle Solution’, ‘Backstabbed’… In fact, a whole lot, they are many.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Who were your contemporaries then?
Ndidi: We had the likes of Liz Benson, Regina Askia, Hilda Dokubo, Sandra Achums, Uche Anunobi for the ladies, and for the men there was Zack Orji, Okey Bakasi and so many I can’t remember their names now.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Are you still in touch with some of them?
Ndidi: We are still in touch; we meet up once in a while, you know. Like you know, some of them have since married while some of them like Regina Askia has relocated to America. But we still meet at some events.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Are you fully back to Nollywood?
Ndidi: Yes, I’m back, but I’ve always been here. I’m still in Nollywood and nothing can take me out of the industry. I have a few jobs that are yet to be released and I’m also working on some right now.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: What are the titles of the films that are yet to be released?
Ndidi: We work with titles, and producers normally change their titles at the end of the day.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: What was your experience of years out of the Nollywood movie-making business like?
Ndidi: The experience wasn’t too good, I’ll admit. After ‘Nneka The Pretty Serpent’ and quite a number of other jobs, the jobs ceased flowing like they used to. Not many people were really working as they used to and those that were working always had specific people they wanted to feature.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Is it a clique thing?
Ndidi: I don’t know what you call it, but I know there are particular people the producers want to use all the time. Some of them say if they don’t see you all the time, they forget about you. Sometimes, they need to see you regularly but for me, you don’t expect to be seeing me all the time when I’m in Lagos and you’re in Enugu or Asaba. I can’t be everywhere, but I believe that if you have a story and you remember some faces that have done so well in movies, you can somehow source after them. This is very difficult in our industry. Producers don’t have that patience; they want to work with people immediately available, people around them.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: You are making an aggressive comeback in the Industry, what’s the magic?
Ndidi: When I started, I was a hot cake and I don’t think there is going to be much difference now. I’m back and better looking, more experienced, better at what I know how to do in terms of versatility. It’s not just a stereotype thing, it’s important that you be able to do a little bit of action, drama and everything in the mix.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: How have you been able to maintain scandal-free stardom?
Ndidi: Well, like I used to advise the upcoming artistes, especially the actresses, once you know you’re talented and focused, the producers will definitely seek you out, the directors and marketers will also sort you out. It’s not just having good character and focus as an actress or actor; it entails a lot because people look up to you as a model. In a situation where you failed to keep to these rules and you’re embroiled in one scandal or the other, it affects your integrity in the business.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: You’re over 40 years and still looking prettier….
Ndidi: Even above 50 and 60 years, I will still look very pretty.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Care to share the secret of your ravishing looks?
Ndidi: The magic of beautiful looks like I always say is a good heart. When you have a good heart and you don’t worry yourself with life’s issues generally. They will always come, but with God, all things are possible. When you carry all your burdens to God, you won’t have any problem because no matter what you do, no matter how you think, no matter how you stress yourself up with them, you will just get hypertension for nothing. My strength comes from the Almighty God.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: What has been the sadness and joy of being a Nollywood actress for you?
Ndidi: Sadness is out of it. It has been joy, joy and joy from the time I started acting. From the time I did ‘Nneka the Pretty Serpent’ till date, life has continued to be joyful.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Have you ever been harassed sexually?
Ndidi: Never, and it will never happen.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Can you engage in a fight because of a man?
Ndid: No, no man is worth dying for. Come to think of it, why do I have to? No amount of money will make me stoop so low to do such.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Has any male admirer publicly assaulted you as a result of his infatuation with you?
Ndidi: No, such has never happened and I doubt it will.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Assuming it does, because some men are very daring, what would you do?
Ndidi: No man will ever do that. But if it happens, I’ll be mad and give the hottest slap to the man.
The Glitters Online/Palmchat: Any plan to get married?
Ndidi: Yes, of course, but not for now. I don’t have a suitor. I am married to Jesus.
