HOW I WON BEEFTA AWARD-PRINCE KEVWE OGUNJE

From humble beginnings as a student in the UK, Nigerian born Kevwe Ogunje is carving a niche for himself as a force to reckon with in the Nollywood movie scene in the UK and Nigeria. In this chat with TS Weekend, Delta State born actor who studied Information & Communication Systems/Computer Science at Benson Idahosa University, has a master’s degree in Management & Information Technology from university of Salford, Greater Manchester and also Diploma in Microsoft Certified system engineering opens up on the joys of winning Europe’s biggest award which celebrates personalities in the African, Caribbean and Asian communities in entertainment, sports, leadership and philanthropy, BEFFTA awards.

Tell us about growing up?

I am the first of four Kids. Growing up was lonely as I was an only child for a long time. Dad was a full time chartered accountant while mum was in the university and working at same time. I had a very average childhood and I lived in the heart of Warri but was always locked up in the house so I did not really mix up with my mates outside the confines of my school environment.

How did you come into acting?

I started when I was at Benson Idahosa University in a Drama group called House of Theatre. I was also a known MC in school. My first major attraction was the attention I was getting from students. Then I started growing my craft and realised that it could be what will be feeding me soon. I entered Nollywood proper in the UK, which is called Nollywood UK. I was invited by my friend in London to come for an audition for Shameful Deceit, directed by Ruke Amata. I landed the role but I was too young for the role so the director promised to give me a cameo role and then in subsequent productions casted me properly. That was how the journey to five other productions started.

As a green horn what were your challenges?

They were just the normal challenges with young people that are coming into the industry mainly on talent and merit. You have to keep proving and motivating yourself. Some directors/producers want big names in their productions forgetting that those big names started from relatively unknown names.

What project are you currently working on and why did you accept the script?

I am finalizing my TV series which I co-produced with my partner, Kande Fatoumata. I saw the script and fell in love with the story. It is a blend of comedy, romance and action drama entitled Twisted. I was a very dedicated lover to my woman but a much ‘coded’ playboy until things fell apart. The switch from decent guy to naughty guy within minutes made it more interesting for me. Twisted was directed by Ruke Amata.

Could you compare the movie scene in the UK and Nigeria?

It is pretty much the same thing but in Nigeria, they operate on a little bigger budget than most productions in the UK. And the productions to an extent are richer in terms of story line and availability to the right casts needed. In the UK, 95 per cent of actors are on full time employment like I was until I made entertainment a business. That makes it very difficult to shoot at certain times.

How did you feel as part of a team that won the BEFFTAs?

I feel very proud, fortunate and glad, not just because I was recognised but because the recognition came from a web series I produced entitled 2Sides. It was a trending comedy series where we put into fiction the realities black immigrants’ face daily in the United Kingdom.

Which of your parents did you inherit your skills from?

(Laughter) I would say both. Reason is my dad is a very good talker; he is smooth and has some mischievous humour but my mum, Jesus Christ! She can act for Africa; if she does not want you to go out in the evening she can feign sickness to stop you from going out. So when I mix all the drama from both sides I have no choice but to be a good actor.

What is your take on Nollywood?

Nollywood is a very big industry in need of more structures. The industry has the capacity to be a major economic booster for Nigeria with more co-operate investors and government bodies getting involved in the industry, it will be a big employer of persons and creator of jobs very soon.

What has been your most challenging role to date?

Playing the role of a cheating spouse whose manhood was locked by voodoo in London Na Wa, directed by Nelson Spykk. The film premiered at Odeon Cinema, London, and the feedback I got was very overwhelming.

Who are your role models?

I have loads of role models. For acting I would say Richard Mofe Damijo, Olu Jacobs, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Deyemi Okanlawon, OC Ukeje and a host of others. For the Mcing part of my business I would say DJ Abass, IK Osakioduwa, and Tea A.

Any plans to relocate home soon?

I have started my relocation but I won’t fully return as I would be shuttling between the UK and Nigeria for now. The little time I have spent here has been very productive and the films I have starred in are amazing.

Where will we see Kevwe in the next five years and what are your dreams?

I will continue doing what I am doing now and with the help of God, become a multiple award winning producer and actor and also host some of the biggest events in Africa and the world at large using my talent and gift to touch lives and help create jobs. But most importantly, I will be running an information technology unit that will be a solutions provider in my already established production outfit, Kminds.