Lagos Monday. Self-confessed born-again and Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh recently spoke granted an interview to Premium Times following a guest appearance at the unveiling ceremony of the 2017 African Children Talent Discovery Foundation, Unleash Your Talent.
Excerpts
On what’s her motivation with regards African Children Talent Discovery Foundation activities.
“My involvement in a talent show such as this is something I am very proud of. It’s more like evangelism to me. I am passionate about this cause because many talented Nigerian children will benefit a lot from it. As we all know, often times it’s very difficult to access the industry. I wish I had seasoned actors mentor me when I was starting out my career.”
Anything else?
“Entertainment is not an easy path for anyone to tow because it can kill you, make you or destroy you. It has the power to do and undo, so as a mother I will tell everyone to be careful with the industry. But as an entertainer, I will say welcome to any fresh talent because there is no limit to what he or she can do with a talent. It’s even written in the bible that, ‘I will bless you through the works of your hands.”
On the buzz surrounding her foundation and its activities
“The Tonto Dikeh Foundation has been doing a lot recently. Every month, we try to do something different; and in August, we will tour the world speaking with female inmates. I am all for empowering women and the ‘One Girl, One Pen campaign.’ We all know that in our prisons, some people are on the death row but some others don’t seem to a have a means of survival for when they regain freedom. I have seen ex-convicts become great people in the society when they are released. So, I want to go into our prisons to empower the female inmates with skill acquisitions. We also plan to send some female inmates back to school when they regain their freedom.
On the objectives of the Foundation
“Tonto: My foundation is very broad and when I was starting out, the focus was domestic violence, rape victims and physically abused women. But right now, being a mother and an advocate for God just broadens my purview. So my foundation is down for anything that will make the woman race better for it.”
On its source of funding?
” Like I said earlier, the Tonto Dikeh foundation is a big one. So, we have sponsors and people who key into our vision and run with us.”!
On her acting career
“I was off the scene for a long time but I retuned with a bang. I starred in a yet to be released film titled Celebrity Marriage and it will be out soon. I’m all fired up because I’m involved in the movie. I don’t want to be involved in the acting like I used to be in the past. I think three good movies in a year is fair enough. And that is what I have been looking for. That way, I can have time for my child and other people because I’m not just a mother of one but I am a mother of nations.”
On her glowing persona
“Well, firstly I am born again and when you have God, you just radiate. So all the glow is from within; you don’t fake God’s glow. You also can’t fake God’s glory because it overwhelms you. I don’t know how to say what I want to say but when God steps into a situation or your life he elevates you and makes you see things in a different light. So, the glow you see is all God. I am a radical for Christ.”
As in evangelising or ministering?
“Yes, I will, before I became an entertainer I was close to becoming an evangelist but I backslid. But not to say anything, I am back with God. I don’t know where God is taking me to. But if it is the pulpit, I am ready.”
What about social media backlashes?
“Well, even if I wasn’t born again, they will still come for me. You see, the devil cannot steal from an empty barrel; you have to be fully charged. I will go through a lot of things, whatever is happening now this is nothing compared to what is yet to come. What I have seen is not even half of what will come in the future. I am ready for more; there will be worse to come and I’m ready for it. When God prepares you in a different kind of way, I can fight my battles on my own strength.”
On motherhood
“I heard motherhood is difficult but I think my son and I share a special kind of love that makes everything easy. Its not that I don’t get stressed out or mad at him sometimes. I do. But the love and the grace of God is sufficient for both of us.”
On relationship and marriage
“Love is a beautiful thing and love is exquisite. So, of course, I will remarry once I find true love.”
Premiun Times
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