Sola Sobowale, a seasoned figure in Nigeria’s Nollywood film industry, shared her experiences as a caregiver in London, England.
The 58-year-old actress, renowned for her exceptional performances on screen, disclosed this during an interview on the ‘Teju Baby Face Show’ on Tuesday.
She recounted her departure from Nigeria in 2004 and her return twelve years later for a movie audition.
When asked by the host why she described herself as an ‘elevated omo odo,’ which translates to ‘a glorified servant,’ Sobowale narrated her journey as someone who, after enduring various life challenges, emerged victorious over them.
She mentioned, “Yes, indeed. It was after my role in Toyin Tomato – Super Story that I left (for London). I completely left Nigeria in 2004 and only returned for the Wedding Party audition in 2016.”
Following her appearance in the popular TV series, ‘Toyin Tomato,’ in the early 2000s, the renowned actress took a hiatus from the screen and opted to work in a different capacity in London.
“When I began working in that office, there were Nigerians, Jamaicans, Ghanaians, and they all recognized Sola Sobowale. However, it was perplexing because my name tag read ‘Olu,’ not Olusola,” the acclaimed actress remarked.
She recounted an encounter with a Nigerian man named Seye Fadipe who approached her, remarking that she seemed familiar. Initially, she denied it, but later, upon admitting her identity as ‘Sola Sobowale,’ he encouraged her to return to acting.
During that period, Sobowale worked as a caregiver, where she performed tasks such as washing, carrying, and cleaning—essentially, handling various responsibilities.
She went on to obtain her National Vocational Qualification certificates up to level 4, eventually reaching the position of a team lead.
The veteran actress reflected on the inevitability of a time when the vibrant energy associated with Sola Sobowale would eventually fade away.
She emphasized her journey, starting from the grassroots and progressing to acquire her NVQ levels 2, 3, and 4, ultimately becoming a team leader.
Sobowale stressed her belief in the dignity of labor, expressing her willingness to undertake any honorable work to provide for her family, with the exception of prostitution and fraud.
Regarding her venture into the Indian movie industry, specifically Bollywood, she attributed it to the grace of God, emphasizing that grace encompasses everything one needs.
Sobowale recounted how she initiated a movie project with an Indian woman named Amsha when Netflix first arrived in Nigeria.
Teju, the host, appeared alongside Sobowale, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bukky Wright, and others in a 1998 thriller film directed by Tade Ogidan titled ‘Diamond Ring.’
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