Actress/producer, Oluwatoyin Oluwaremilekun Adegbola, popularly known as Asewo To Re Mecca, is a prominent face in the Yoruba movie industry. She is also the Otun Yeye Oba of Irokoland in Oyo State. The mother of three, who is also into politics, takes time out of her busy schedule to speak to DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI about her career, life as a widow, as well as plans to train young actors professionally.
YOU recently celebrated 30 years on stage, attracting big names in the industry. How did you pull it off?
I want to give all glory to God, the organisers of the programme Albasit Communications, the Government of Osun State, all my fans, both at home and abroad, my children, and my entire family because they stood by me.
What would you say has been your staying power?
It has been God almighty and my fans, without whom I would not have come this far.
As one who studied Electronics Engineering, don’t you feel you would have done better as an engineer?
Man proposes, but God disposes. The important thing is that God has a purpose for
everything. I have no regrets that I no longer work in the area I studied in school.
With so many years in the make-believe world, and as a member of Osun State Arts and Culture Council, what are your plans for the sector?
I will continue to do my best in the make-believe world. As a member of the Arts and
Culture Council, in conjunction with other members, we intend to showcase existing talents as well as find new talents to help develop the state.
You are one of the actresses that have made their mark in the industry, how do you feel seeing the up-coming actors seek shortcuts to stardom?
It’s normal to feel bad when you see young up-coming actors trying to take shortcuts to stardom. It gives a bad name to everyone in the industry. We can only try as much as possible to guide them in the right direction, and hope that they stick to the right path.
You seem to be prominent only in Yoruba movies…
I can only act in movies in which I have been invited.
As a veteran, what plans do you have for the movie industry?
My major plan is to establish a training school to guide young talents in the right direction from the early stages of their career. I also plan to establish myself as a major distributor of movies.
How did you get into acting?
I was a civil servant, a technician with the then Television Service of Oyo State (TSOS, now BCOS) when I was invited to be part of Ejo N’gboro by Alagba Tunbosun Odunsi. He noticed me during some of our in-house drama productions at the TV station when I co-presented a popular children show, Faogbonyo, with Lere Ajewunmi. It was also while at BCOS that I was invited to be part of Asewo to Re Mecca, one of the first home movie productions to be shot. Don’t forget that Ejo N’gboro was an optical movie.
When I got on the set of Asewo To Re Mecca, I was just told what to do, I had no idea that it would come out so well, and bring me such fame. One day, after completing work on the movie, I went to see Otunba Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello); who is my mentor, in his office, and I ran into the marketer of the movie. He was so impressed with my efforts that he gave me N5, 000. It was a lot of money at the time. Meanwhile, I was not even the real Asewo in the movie. I was only introduced to prostitution in the movie by the character played by Sola Sobowale. From then on, it has been Ajoke Asewo To Re Mecca, everywhere I go. Some people even call me Toyin Asewo.
You have not been doing much on screen compared to when you started out. Why is that?
I have been working, even though not as much as I used to. That is because I have been called to serve my people in a different capacity. I am involved in grassroots politics. My people in Osun State have invited me to come and serve them, and that has occupied me. I think it’s a great achievement for your people to recognise you. But I still find time to act and produce movies. Acting is what made me who I am today, so I won’t leave acting for anything.
Having lost your hubby at a tender age, how have you managed as a single parent?
It has been possible through the grace of God, determination and focus.
Why have you decided not to remarry?
I chose to stay by my kids to see that they are well trained. Also, I do not want to intrude into any home.
How do you cope with male admirers?
With a smile. You don’t have to be rude to anybody. You just keep them in their place.
With such a tight schedule, how do you guide your children?
By the grace of God, I was able to lay their foundation in the Christian faith so they have the fear of God. I made them understand that I remained single for their sake, so when I visit or call, they take my words of advice. They also have a confidante in my younger sister; who happens to be their legal guardian abroad. My kids are my best friends and they know it.
How have you been able to cope with their upkeep over there?
It has not been easy. It has all been through the grace of God.
What are your aspirations for the remaining part of the year?
To keep growing in good health and improving in my work so as to make my fans happy.
How easy is it for an actor to stay away from controversy?
It is very easy once you are focused and cut your coat according to your cloth. As long as you remember where you are coming from, and where you are going.
How often do you produce movies?
I produce one movie every two years because I always want to put my best into my productions. When producing, I like to deal with true life stories that the audience will learn from.
How have you managed to maintain your looks?
It’s by the grace of God. I don’t have any special beauty routine, neither do I have any special diet. The only thing I don’t eat is red meat. Once you are over
40, it is advisable that you shun red meat. Outside that, there is nothing edible that I cannot put into this mouth. As for what I do when I am not working, I just stay at home, watch movies, read novels, listen to gospel music, and attend to my children.
Unfortunately, none of them is into acting for now. Only the youngest has shown interest but she wants to be done with her studies.
Do you miss your first career as a technician?
I miss my first career as a technician but I thank God because I am happy with my career and my achievements so far. I have even been honoured with a merit award
by my home state, Osun. I have also received several awards, so I am content. My
only regret is the loss of freedom. The other challenge would be producers who produce jobs that stereotype us. No man will allow his wife to act nude, but some producers ask a lady if she can act nude, and because the lady wants instant fame, she will accept the role, disregarding the implications. I have always told ladies that they don’t need to expose their bodies to become anything. All they need do is to be good at their jobs, remain focused and the sky will be the starting point for them.
Do you regret playing the role of Asewo To Re Mecca?
Can you believe that several years down the line and with three grown kids, I am still being widely referred to as Ajoke Asewo or Toyin Asewo despite many attempts at some point to rename myself? It remains unchangeable. I have termed the whole thing my destiny because sometimes when I think about it, I just give praises and thanks to God, because I wasn’t the only person who played the role of a notorious prostitute in the movie.
In fact, my good friend, Sola Sobowale, was also in it. She introduced me to prostitution in the movie but the name has only stuck with me because that is the way
God wanted it. I don’t have any problems with the name because my children are all grown and they know it’s only a moniker and not a true expression of their mother. I have been to Jerusalem, and done well for myself. It’s just a name that comes with the job.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m always at home with my family. I like cooking a lot.
Tell us about growing up
I grew up in a Christian home.
