Nollywood actor, Jimoh with Kelly Bishop popularly known as Sir Godson speaks of his foray into acting, farming and why he especially has a passion for taekwondo martial arts. By Gboyega Alaka
Your role in the popular YouTube series, ‘Oga Osas’ has pushed you out there; how did acting begin for you?
I’ve always had an enthusiasm for acting and I generally needed to accomplish something in the field. Yet I was really confused whether to follow my passion or not; and then I went to Natty Bruce Action Film Academy, Lagos. There, I learned how to fight in a movie, fighting choreography, Action Acting, Fight Coordinator, Stunt in a movie, Action Directing everything about film fighting.
What other roles/movies have you featured in?
I played the role of a villain, a wicked prince in a movie titled, Oduna, produced by Slize Entertainment for Slize TV. I’ve also played the role of a lover boy in a movie titled Lies produced by Nevada TV. I was a local village boy in a movie titled Nwaike The Prodigal Son, also produced by Slize Entertainment for Slize TV. I’ve featured in several other movies such Irreconcilable Differences, Love in vengeance, Massive Grace, Mena, Royal quest, King Asemota; to mention just few.
Which movies or roles stand out for you so far?
That will be Oga Osas, Oduna and Nwaike The Prodigal Son.
Tell us about your growing up, education and training
I am an indigene of Edo State. I was born into a large family. My father, a successful cocoa farmer, had three wives and 18 children and was able to take care of his large family. I’m the first son from my mother. I hold a diploma in theatre arts in University of Ibadan
Aside acting, what other vocation are you into?
I’m a taekwondo instructor and fitness trainer. I also own a cocoa farm. You can say I took that from my father (smiles). Inside the farm, I also farm oranges, bitter kola, walnut, pears, plantains and other valuable crops. As a taekwondo instructor, I have a passion for training school children; I have an academy based in Lagos that takes care of that.
Read Also: Army court martials General, 157 others for misconduct
You must be a black belter to run such a school. Have you won any laurel or participated in any major competition?
I’m a third Dan black belt In Taekwondo. I trained at the National Stadium in Lagos for seven days a week: Monday to Saturday from White to Black Belt. We were not practicing just Taekwondo alone; we were practicing different martial arts together to be able execute them in the movie. But Taekwondo was our major sport. Our training was actually based on film fighting. But still we were attending all the competitions inside the stadium, such as LG taekwondo competition, IGP Police Taekwondo competition, and kick boxing competition. I also won the best in all Martial arts performances.
Have you had any physical brush in which your taekwondo skill bailed you out?
Yes, several times. It was when I was in my first Black Belt in Benin City that some guys attacked my friend and I was trying to stop them; one of them took a bottle from the ground to break my head, but I move swiftly collected the bottle and broke it on the floor to scared them away. However, I don’t fight because martial arts are not for bullying but for making peace. It is a form of self defence; it also helps you keep fit, alert and healthy.
Which class or group of people do you train and are there qualifications to be met?
Godson Taekwondo Academy is for children above 3 years of age to 18. We awards Belt with certificates and every other things to encourage the kids. For example we give awards for the best performing students, neatest uniforms, best behaviour and so on. Do you plan on featuring or making an action movie in which you will showcase your taekwondo skills?
Yes, certainly. It is something I’ve always looked forward to.
Do you find acting rewarding financially?
I can say yes but not for upcoming actors like me. The money is not coming in yet but I have a strong believe that it will.