Sola Sobowale, a well-known Nollywood actress, made a startling revelation about her decision to temporarily relocate to the United Kingdom 11 years ago.
In 2016, the 56-year-old actress ended a 15-year acting hiatus.
Upon her return, she was fortunate enough to land a role in the blockbuster film ‘The Wedding Party.’
The mother-of-five, whose parents were academics, recalled how, in order to provide her children with the best education possible, she took them to the United Kingdom and left them alone.
During the interview, she stated that every parent is responsible for their children.
“Children did not ask to be born,” she explained. When you decide to have children, you must be willing to accept full responsibility for them.
They are lovely creatures. You didn’t bring them here to suffer. You don’t bring them into this world to be looked after. You brought them with you. Then stick with them and finish the job.”
LEAVING NIGERIA
She recalls that when she returned a month later, she noticed that things had changed with them.
“They weren’t the children I took. That motherly touch was missing. “To your tent, Israel,” I said. I’m here with my kids. So I left the spotlight.
“I left Nigeria to guide my children, to make them somebody in life, to leave a legacy for them, to nurture and care for them.”
Giving context to her sacrifice, the actress stated that before leaving Nigeria, she starred in numerous films and earned a good living.
Going back in time, she recalls shooting a film called ‘Christ in Me’ in Enugu, which led to many other opportunities.
“In the year 2000, I was earning (N)800,000.” So when I returned to Lagos, I had about N5 million. And I left for a job in England paying 7.50 pounds per hour.
“And I’m pleased. And there is nothing this woman cannot do because I understand what it means to work with dignity.
“I’ll sweep from here to Kenya or Ghana as long as it puts food on my table, clothes on my children’s backs, and a roof over my head,” she said.
She recalls doing menial jobs in London such as cooking, sweeping, and cleaning offices.
“My life is full of color. I wear my uniform with the company’s name on the train or bus.
“Then I hear Nigerians asking if I’m the one. When I say yes, they ask what I’m doing here. I then ask them, “You, what are you doing here?” That makes me happy. I’m overjoyed. “Now it’s history,” she added.
BACKGROUND
Ms Sobowale’s acting career spans four decades.
She dropped out of a College of Education to pursue her dream in Ibadan, Nigeria’s entertainment capital at the time. She began her career as a secretary in training at Sight & Sound in Ibadan.
Tunji Oyelana (Sura De Tailor), who married her older sister, Kikelomo, enrolled her in the Department of Music at the University of Ibadan. She would later change her major to Theatre Arts.
Ms Sobowale previously appeared in classic series such as ‘The Village Headmaster’ and ‘Mirror in the Sun,’ as well as a couple of stage productions, including Femi Osofisan’s ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again.’
THE VILLAGE HEADMASTER
“I was fortunate to work with Adebayo Salami on ‘Asewo To Re Mecca,’” she said.
Her first break came when she played the now-iconic Toyin Tomato in Wale Adenuga’s ‘Super Story’ series titled ‘Oh Father! ‘Oh, Daughter,’ I say.
She returned to the industry in 2016 and starred in the box office hit ‘The Wedding Party’ and its sequel.
She also portrayed the lead character in the critically acclaimed films “King of Boys” and its spinoff series “The Return of the King.”
KING OF BOYS
She received her first Bollywood role in the upcoming movie directed by Hamisha Daryani Ahuja in July 2022.
