David Odubamidele Odule is an actor, poet and producer. He shared his life story in this interview with TUNDE ADELEKE.
HOW would you react to the public view that theatre brings a negative impact on the society by staging plays characterised by witchcraft, idol worship and incantations among others?
I disagree with this. Yes, theatre is a very strong medium to impact the society, regardless of the ingredients you apply to cook your story, it depends on the writer’s point of view (POV). The use of incantations and other stuff can also be positive, it is not peculiar to negativity alone. Those who believe in Christianity and Islam also use their beliefs in both positive and negative ways. Take for example, incantation, it is just like reciting a Bible passage to hasten your prayers and there are verses too in the Bible or Quran that are used for evil purposes. The most important thing that sells your production is to balance it up! Our culture is our culture and their culture is their culture; an educated person is that person, who sees value in another person’s culture.
What determines your choice of roles in movies?
As much as your script has a very good concept and you don’t attack anybody’s beliefs, I’m good to go.
Can you let us into your background?
I was born six decades ago to the family of the late Mr. & Mrs Abiodun and Anike Odule. I’m from Oru-Ijebu in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. I’m a Christian and my name is David Odubamidele Odule. I’ve been in the theatre practice for good 46 years. I’ve been an independent person for long; I lacked almost everything when I was young, including parental care and I tried as much as possible not to dwell on my past because I’ll step on many toes.
I can count how many times I slept on a wooden bed (not up to 15 times) before I gained admission into Muslim Teacher Training College in 1980. It’s not a good thing to experience independence from childhood. You may eventually not get it right or become very strong-hearted.
What does your educational background look like?
I had early education at St. Mark Anglican Primary School, Falafonmu via Oru-Ijebu, founded in 1955. Falafonmu is a village with fewer than 20 houses, and that’s where I grew up. I then attended a secondary modern school before going to Muslim Teacher Training College. Even in the modern school, I was only able to do Modern III. The system was changed to commercial school during my own time, and I couldn’t do Commercial IV. I stopped at Modern III for lack of funds to continue. That was how I joined the theatre profession when notable theatre figures like Araba, I Show Pepper, Omilani and others came visiting, and I realised that was what they were doing to attain the level of comfort they had at the time.
I have a degree in Mass Communication from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria, but I also had a diploma before the degree programme.
Can we have an insight into your career journey?
As I said, I started theatre in 1977 under the tutelage of the late Dele Ogunsanya, then I moved to join the Abaru Oloko theatre group and I also had my training under the Tubosun Odunsi drama group before I left for Muslim Teacher Training College. I used proceeds from my weekend engagements as a poet to fund my teacher’s college of education. I’m a total theatre practitioner, I drum, dance and sing.
I still do stage performances to date because I’m not limited to film production alone. I have a stage production coming up in the third week of April and we’re going around South-West of Nigeria to x-ray the epileptic nature of our society, It is a satire.
Who was the greatest influence on you?
I work with my spirit; when it says go, I don’t look back and it’s been working for me, but Kola Ogunmola was a great influence on me as regards my artistic career.
What was the experience like when you made the first trip outside the country?
The eagerness and enthusiasm had been killed having been denied visas seven times consecutively (UK, six times and US, once). It was like ‘kini gan!’ (what’s in it!). Was it that all these places were built with gold and diamonds? So, I lost interest. When I eventually had the first experience of travelling, it didn’t mean so much to me. However, both places are far better than where I was coming from; well organised and coordinated.
Can you share your happiest moments?
The first day I saw a camera in front of me, ready to shoot for a TV station, I said to myself, I’m fulfilled. The sky is not my limit, but my starting point.
When I see people flaunting age, saying ‘I am 50 or 40’ and so on, throwing parties, I’m indifferent. I don’t celebrate birthdays because I am not convinced that I have anything to show for it yet. For me to celebrate, I believe I should have some achievements to showcase as a model for the younger ones to emulate. People above 70 can do that because they have what to show for it. King Sunny Ade, for instance, has a radio station and other things, so also Chief Ebenezer Obey and others. So, my achievements themselves will celebrate me when the time is ripe.
Can you describe your experience with your grandparents?
I only knew my grandfather and I was a young boy when he died in 1973. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any serious interaction with the said man before he died. I wasn’t living with him. All my grandparents, except my grandfather, died before I was born; my maternal grandfather died when my mum was eight.
How did you find love?
It’s too personal. You’ll discover I hardly flaunt my family in the media. Let the future speak for itself.
What would you regard as your most challenging experience?
That should have been the early days of my theatrical journey; the first 15 years were like ‘entering a one chance’, but I thank God I’m a symbol of relevance today.
What’s your favourite genre of music?
Traditional music, especially oldies. I love Orlando Owoh’s music passionately.
What food can you not take your eyes off?
I love eba and egusi Ijebu. I also can’t resist ‘ila alasepo’ (okro soup cooked with other ingredients) as well.
How do you unwind?
I don’t have a special recreation centre or time to recreate; I grab any chance to do it.
When I am not on location, I stay indoors, and I don’t get bored. I’m not a TV person; I only freak with my phone, browsing through Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp and all the rest of it. I’m not a football fan. I have been too independent since childhood.
