Why my husband can’t stop following me to events —Omoni Oboli

Not many actresses have her kind of gifts; a matching combination of beauty and poise, even after giving birth to three children. In Omoni Oboli's world, the best may yet to come as proved by her success in the movie industry. Omoni, whose roles in The Figurine and Anchor Baby, two of the few good movies produced in the last few years, have continued to bring praises her way, shares the story behind her success and secret of her marriage in this interview with Segun Adebayo. Excerpts:

You recently marked your 12th year marriage anniversary and it went viral on the internet and social media, what's the idea behind the noise?
Marriage is such a beautiful institution that when you get it right, people will join and celebrate it with you. It doesn't matter if it's 2, 12 or 50 years, there's always joy when you see two people who devote themselves to enjoying what some may have deemed impossible in this marriage institution. So if it went viral, I can only thank God that it was a positive news that did. I am happy that we have remained together for 12 years. It has been the grcae of God; we are grateful to Him for that.

You have been with him for 12 years, is there something you would still like to change about him?
Mmmh! Let me think! What would I like to change in someone who is so perfect for me? Ask me again at our golden jubilee and let try and take notes from now of what I would like to change me about him. I should be able to answer your question by then.

Would you feel comfortable with him for another 12 years?
I'm comfortable with him, even If we had eternity, I would still be comfortable with him because he is just perfect for me and I have no problem with that. You need to know what it takes when you have somebody who understands you and appreciates you for who and what you are.

We noticed that he's always with you at social events, is that the chief ingredient of your union?
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Maybe the reason he follows me to events is because we're so close or because he follows me to events that's why we're so close. The truth is we've always been close and I don't remember not wanting him by my side right from the start of our marriage or he wanting me by his side. He's that friend that makes me feel comfortable to go in and out of events. I appreciate the fact that he's always by my side and vice versa makes everything about our togetherness perfect.

Should he decide tomorrow he won't be going with you to events, will that bring any problem?
I think I should also let you know that as against what you might have thought, he hasn't been to all the events that I've attended. The truth of the matter is that, God has joined us together, going or not going to events cannot put for asunder. It wasn't a pre-requisite to our marrying each other nor was it written inww our vows.

Many people would want to know what you have done to sustain your 12 years marriage, despite being a celebrity?
God blessed me with the right man. Marriage is between two people, with God as the tie that binds us. A threefold chord is not easily broken and so if you put God in the mix, there's nothing you can't overcome. When I mean put God in the mix, I mean to let His word be the final say in all you do and in all disputes. It worked for me. Just as I mentioned earlier, the open secret is simply and entirely the grace of God.

Would you say you are lucky to have a man who understands you?
No doubt! I'm truly blessed.

Marriage does not seem to be limiting you at all....
You asked as if it's supposed to limit me. Your spouse should be there to lift you up, not pull you down; complete you, not compete with you. Marriage, on the other hand, blessed me.

Having starred in Anchor Baby and Figurine, some producers have alleged that you have hiked your appearance fee, how true is this claim?
Your performance and appeal dictate your worth and I thank God that I have been blessed to be where I am today. Let's just say that I get paid well and I pray that the movies that I feature in would also get good returns for their investment. So far, it has been so. People generally pay you what your true value is.

What was the experience like while on set for the two movies?
Professional! Very professional! Both producers reached for the sky in the quality and entertainment value of their movies and they achieved their dreams and infected other filmmakers with the excellence bug. They infected me too and so I was able to give more than I had done before in other movies. I went to school on those sets and came out with good experiences. So, it was something that I so appreciate and will always love to talk about.

You once said that you always want to explore new challenges in the industry, did you find any of these movies challenging?
Yes I did. I love to play roles that are challenging to me. I love to push myself to the limit on what I think my best performance is. The two movies helped me to do just that. These were good movies that brought out the best in me.

How would you rate the two movies?
With the resources available to the producers and the final outcome and subsequent impact of the movies, I would have to give them an 11 on a scale of 1 - 10. These were pacesetting movies.

What next step is Omoni taking now?
I have been taking many steps since we finished the shooting of the video. I have been involved in quite a number of good jobs too. Many of the movies that I starred in last year and this year will be out in the cinemas. The movie, 'Blue Flames', was premiered on the 18th of April. It also starred Nse Etim, Kalu Ikeagwu, Sani Danja and it was produced, directed and also starred Paul Apel (Papel). I just rapped up the shoot of the movie, 'Grave House', which featured me and Mike Ezuruonye, Uru Eke, Tony Monjaro and it was directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka, who also directed another great movie that I starred alongside Majid Michel. These movies and more are due for release this year.

How difficult is stardom to you?
All success comes with its inherent price and anybody who goes into any profession must also understand that it comes with the territory. I live a normal life at home and keep all the drama, as much as possible, on the movie sets.

How much will it cost a producer to have you on his set now?
I only discuss fees face to face with the producers.

You were alleged to have said that you won't feature in low quality movies, don't you think that could hamper your chances in the industry, baring in mind that only a few producers churn out quality movies these days, no thanks to poor capital....
I didn't say that I don't feature in low quality movies but rather that I wouldn't want to be in a movie which doesn't make sense whether the quality is high or low. I'm more inclined to feature in a movie with a good story line and execution than a movie with all the razzmatazz and 'effizzy' but with a very weak storyline which insults the audience's intelligence.

How do you find time to attend to home chores since you are always on the move with your husband?
Trust me, I find time! It's my family and if I don't find time, who will? If what you want to know is if my house is not suffering my absence, the answer is my home isn't suffering.

You are also the face of Venus now, if the reports we heard were true. How did you win the deal?
They approached me and I liked their products and found it easy to endorse.

You don't intend to remain an actress for the rest of your life, when are you planning to produce a movie by yourself?
I'll always be an actress because I love it. I've already produced one movie before, 'The Rivals', with Blessing Egbe, in 2007. I also love writing scripts. I'm also in the process of producing another movie.

Will I be surprised should you release a music album tomorrow like some of your colleagues have done over the years?
You should be, because I will be surprised too.

Will you test your weight in that area of entertainment?
You'll just have to wait and see.

Coping with three boys, how do you feel?
I feel great! They're good boys.

What would you attribute your success in the industry to?
Purely the grace of God. I couldn't have planned it any better than what God freely gave me, so I don't have anything to boast about. He could have picked anybody, but He chose me.

How long do you intend to stay more?
As long as God permits or as long as Jesus tarries

What has acting cost you over the years?
Nothing, except the little freedom you get from going to the market to buy what you want at a bargain.?