Ex-President Obasanjo will make a good actor- Samuel Ajibola

For Ekiti born actor, Samuel Ajibola better known as Spiff, a role he clinched in the popular M-Net TV series ‘The Johnson’ is one Nollywood’s brightest star to look out for in the industry as his distinctive artistic skills and stage prowess is second to none. Samuel holds a B.SC in Political Science from the University of Lagos and a Diploma in Acting from Amaka Igwe’s Centre for Excellence in Film and Media Studies, Lagos.

Known for doing things differently, Samuel recently broke the internet when he featured Nigeria’s Ex-President, Olusegun Obasanjo in one of the episodes of his new body of work titled ‘Dele Issues’. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Samuel talks working with the Ex-president, why is passionate about the youth, dream roles, relationship status amongst others.

With the current buzz your online skit is gaining one is force to ask why not extend to terrestrial or any digital TV?

Well for been online is on purpose since the world is going digital this days and as such I wanted to reach a larger audience and no place does it better than online. For now also, the Dele Issue skit it currently been aired on Africa Magic while plans are in the making towards a wider coverage. It will shock you that I have a lot of fans who watch the skit in USA, South Africa and other countries; they send in comments and observation on how to serve them better.

Since the beginning and release of the skits; what has been the response generally?

It’s been beautiful and a splendid moment putting out the skits; at first when the we release the first shot, I was skeptical of the acceptance and with God on my side and my power management team; things have worked out well.  The comments will gets to see on our Youtube page and other social media platforms has been indeed really positive.

How many episodes have you put out so far?

Currently, I have 13 episodes the last of which it is special education episode

Is Dele Issue a part of a word you are playing with?

I have always loved literature as a young boy, it was something I really fell in love with so I just wanted to be on work at night. So in actually sense Dele Issue can also pass for Daily Issues.

Speaking on the special episodes, how were you able to get the ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo?

My meeting with the Ex-President was something that did not take so much time; I am just a product of grace. It was something that came up after a relationship with my management. There was a youth dialogue programme held in Ogun state where I was the anchor and the Ex-President was also present and because the discussion of the day was youth related; I already have it up there that using him was further going to help pass across my message of youth involvement in politics.

When you finally stood infront of him; what was the feeling like, were you fidgeting?

No, I have always been a confidential person and that’s how I grew up. I am the first born of the family and I have a lot of responsibilities so I always have to be forward, I always have to be prepared so I grew up with such a mentality. I was only amazed and happy that I could stand right in front of him and I briefed him of my project and that was it.

Sam Ajibola ( Dele Issues)

When Obasanjo was seated and heard the idea, was he giving a script?

Yes, like I mentioned earlier I said I had a script, cameras on standby where my crew were sitting waiting for him there. So we just gave it to him to read and less than five minutes he was like, let start and I responded with Yes sir and I was shocked when he said go ahead let me walk into the camera and start off.

For someone who has not acted before, how long did it take to shoot his part?

It will shock you that Baba was done in less than 5minutes and we only did just a take.

From his attitude on set, will you say Obasanjo is a good actor judging by what you saw?

Well for me, he is good at it and honestly I was amazed when I realise that we only recorded at first shot because in all fairness, I have met actors that have to go through three or more times to get a particular scene done; But am not saying it is an easy task but some people are just blessed more that other people. I was surprised we all know Baba has a funny sides in his personality and it was something people loved to see so I was happy I had the opportunity and privilege to be able to be the one that made it happened with my talents, also there were things I wasn’t actually expecting to get from him that I had to even hold on not to laugh onto.

A lot of people have tagged Obasanjo a comedian, will you accept that fact too?

I think he is a funny person, my first experience with him; he even cracked a joke with his small young children that are with him and we were laughing. I think he said something like don’t worry when you grow up you will marry my grandson, he is just so funny.

With the special edition; what was the major focus?

Apart from just been an actor, I also have a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that am focusing on the need dwell more on education and youth involvement in policy making. The idea about that particular skit with the Ex-President is to further create a cautious awareness in the mind of people especially the youth that complaining at all time should not be the only contributions we do; I don’t have to be involved in politics to do this to make an impact in whatever you are doing and affect the country in a positive way.

Also, one of the motive of the skit is to debunk belief that youths are too young to be involved in Politics or decision making process because they lack experience and they think they might abuse power. I think that is a wrong philosophy coming in to the world we are today like I mention what is the global village, the international arena is changing, and things have been ignored.

When Obasanjo was the head of state, your parents are with their primes and kids, when your parents saw the skit you did, I mean the Obasanjo, how did he react to it?

They have been really supportive, prayerful for me in whatever I do. So in the subject of paying parents too, I also let them know  if I have something to do and if I have anywhere to go and they have been seeing my moves my career sine have been born so they know how I live and they have been able to understand that.

With Dele Issue, don’t you think your popular character, Spiff will suffer?

I don’t think so, I am an actor and I should not be stereotyped to a particular role, I am flexible and I can play other better roles. Dele Issue cannot in anyway affect my Spiff character at all. I know how to play my cards effectively.

Talking about been different, does Sam have other dream roles?

Yes I have a dream role, am not just an actor but a trained actor, I have knowledge on acting and learnt more on mental acting. I did a lot of research and I am someone that is always inspired to do something different, something unique, something that hasn’t been done before hence the talent I brought out. But apart from that the whole spiff everyone know me for, am looking forward in acting differently that people have not seen. I don’t mind been a soldier, lover boy, amongst others; but in essence I have always wanted a character that as a good impression on people at the end of the day.

Is Sam in a relationship?                                     

No am not in any relationship

Which female celebrities are you crushing on?

Crush Hmmmmmm!!! , Linda Ejiofor is beautiful and I like Rita Dominic too and more importantly, my number one crush always is Mercy Aigbe.

Your dream woman?

I will like my woman to be sexy, has a fine face, tall, dress well, smell well etc.

Even if she is an actress you don’t mind?

Noooo!!! I can’t date an actress