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“I am Mohammodu-Lukman Eladolu Adisa Olowogemo,” he introduced himself when asked for his names for the purpose of this interview. Olu Olowogemo, being the form of his real name the media is more familiar with, is a very popular face in the Yoruba movie industry, especially when those who rose to the top by playing comic roles are considered. Call him Harejan, Bosun Omo Yankee or Mr. Portable; they are all stage-names he has acquired in the course of his flourishing career which has spanned 23 unbroken years and still counting. Never having had any event, big or small, associated with him in all the years he has given making his viewers happy, unlike many of his colleagues, Harejan is set to do something big this Saturday, 1st August, 2015. He calls it a 3-in-1 Celebration involving: 23 Years On Stage, Premiere Of New Film (Adisa Olowo Cairo) and Fund Raising For Audio-Visual Marketing Outfit, to be held at Lawrence Bankole Event Centre, Opposite Asero Garage, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Speaking with SAHEED OJUBANIRE recently, Mr. Portable recalled how he became an actor, his experience, movies produced so far, why he should not be pegged as a comedian but all round actor and many more. Read on:
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Can you retrace briefly, your journey into acting?
When I was a kid, a big brother of mine, Ebun Oloyede popularly known as Olaiya Igwe used to perform neighbourhood theatre shows where he would costume himself as a clown by stuffing the frontal part of his shirt to create a potbelly and things like that. That usually got me enthralled. And when he advanced to the stage of appearing in television comedy series back then, I got more fascinated. So, by 1992 when I came of age as a secondary school student, I summoned the courage to approach him that I wanted to be an actor like him and he said no problem, I could join him. And that is how my journey into acting started.
Can you still remember the title of the first production you featured in?
Yes, the title of the first film production I ever appeared in is “Fitinoti”. It was a 13 episode television series in Abeokuta here which was produced in 1994.
Which movie production launched Harejan to the limelight?
Well, my coming to the limelight was a gradual process. It was not a sudden feat brought about by just one movie. It took me one movie at a time to become known by people till I got to this stage. But if I have to say the movie that actually took the revelation of Harejan to the top gear, I would say it was my personally produced movie titled “Bosun Omo Yankee”.
How long ago was that produced?
That was about five years ago.
Can you tell us the origin of your stage-name, Harejan?
The origin of the stage-name is traceable to a production I featured in sometime in 1996. It was a movie by one of our bosses here in Abeokuta, Abdul-Hakeem Alamutu and titled “Odada”. So, it was at the location of the movie that I was cast to play the role of a house boy to George O. Lekinson of blessed memory and he was to summon his house boy in the course of the movie and out of the blues, he bellowed the name “Harejan!” And like a stamp to an envelope, the stage-name stuck to me since then. Meanwhile, since George O. Lekinson was someone familiar with Indian words and their meanings, we later asked him for the meaning of Harejan and he said the meaning was “a believer in God” and I felt very comfortable with that.
So far, how many movies has Harejan produced by himself?
My own movies should be about 14, so far.
Can you still remember some of the titles?
I should even remember every one of the movies. My first movie is “Ominira”, then I produced “Oloburo”, followed by “Simbi Lomo”, then “Olorun Ara”, “Inu Mimo”, “Oju Olohun”, “Omidan Laitan”, “Woko Alagbara”, “Ota Mokonla”, “Ekun Meran”, “Bosun Omo Yankee”, “Adio Portable”, and I just produced “Adisa Olowo Cairo”.
Why have you remained here in Abeokuta and not relocate to Lagos where the pastures seem to be greener for actors?
Well, it is because of the fact that I am a talented actor and despite the fact that I am based in Abeokuta, there is nowhere in the country I am not invited to partake in movie productions regularly. Just name it, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, I get scripts from everywhere. So, being based in Abeokuta is not posing any challenge to me in terms of getting movie roles.
Out of all your own movies you mentioned their titles, which will you say posed the most challenge to you to deliver the character cast for yourself?
Well, all my movies came with their different challenges in terms of the roles I played in them. The point is that I try to make each of my movies unique to the previous one and they posed different challenges in that regard considering the characters I played.
Now can you tell us about the big event holding this weekend?
Well, when I sat back and realised that it has been a long while that I started my career as an actor, about 23 years down the line without having held any event of my own, I felt it is high time I did something big. Especially, considering all the challenges I have faced in the industry as a celebrity and all that, for 23 years and I am still relevant today, I felt I should celebrate that feat. So, I am celebrating my 23 years on stage, I am launching my new movie “Adisa Olowo Cairo”, and I am doing a fund-raising to start an audio-visual marketing outfit . It is going to be a 3-in-Event on August 1st, 2015. And I have invited the crème of the society, most of whom I have entertained with my talent over the years to come and honour me on the day. And all my colleagues in the industry are going to be there too to identify with one of their own.
Who are the artistes that would be rocking the band stand at the event?
Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Oga Nla 1, Ijoba Fuji is the main artiste of the day. And Ere Asalatu, Jimi Alasela all the way from Canada and Asiwaju Wole Papa would also be performing as guest artistes.
If we are to categorize, we would say Harejan is a comic actor…
(Cuts in) Let me correct that notion. Harejan is not just a comic actor, it is just that most of the movie producers like casting me for comic roles. According to the way I was trained, I should be able to deliver any role given to me satisfactorily. So, I am capable to deliver any role very well but I like to put comic into any role I am given to play. The point I am making in essence is that Harejan is an all-round actor and should not be pegged to just being a comic actor.
A section of Yoruba movie lovers are of the notion that Harejan over acts his roles, how would you respond to that?
Well, according to the way I was trained, it was inculcated into me that I should put everything in me into delivering my roles and I don’t think that is over acting but giving the role every part of my being.
What is your message for your fans home and abroad?
My first message is that they should always remember me in their prayers and they should always support my career in every way they can; morally, materially and financially. And I want them to know that I love them all.
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