Onyeka Nwelue is not your regular guy, he is almost very irregular. He doesn’t have a degree yet he teaches in universities in India and Hong Kong. He is not a fan of Chinua Achebe yet he teaches his literatures, he is not an actor, now he has started acting. Onyeka is embodiment of contradictions. In this email interview with iCampus he spoke about Linda Ikeji, his new found love, how manipulative Nollywood people are, his problem with CEO of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), his book and the story of his life. This is the usual candid Onyeka we are used to but only this time he is now an Assistant Professor! Class!
What have you been up to?
For me, this is a special interview. I am doing this because of you. I really want to stop talking these days, but when people like you come, I can’t say no. I have a few things that I am doing and I really want to keep to myself, so I end up sharing them with great minds, but I would say that I have lots of books I am working on right now. In fact, as I am talking to you now, I am directing a musical video in Nsukka.
Your last book heralded bag-load of controversy, why did you throw stones at everybody?
The truth is that I believe that controversy is good for the society. We need it to grow. Inwardly. Outwardly. What I have done in the book is to say the things that are dear to me. I have also dared to trace the history of music in Nigeria from the 1960s to this era. That, on its own, is riddled with controversy. I don’t think I created them. They are things we have to talk about, without trying so hard to sound petty.
Is being controversial deliberate ploy for you?
Like I said, controversy is good for the society. I think I was born this way. I don’t force myself to be controversial. It is difficult for me to be diplomatic and calm in situations. I unleash my anger on certain things when I want. At the right time.
Tell us your problem with Davido?
I don’t have any problem with Davido. Isn’t he a rich boy?
How many books have you written?
I have 3 books now.
It seems you have left movies with your departure from AMAA.
No, actually. But I am just scared of Nollywood people. They are very manipulative people.
Why did you leave AMAA
At a point, I was the one that was witch-hunted for leaking KunleAfolayan’s film, PhoneSwap. I was the one called a criminal by different people. I did not deny being a criminal, but I did not understand why I should leak Kunle’s film with AMAA Consideration written on it. I found that so insulting and my hate for people in Nollywood became so clear. I could think negatively about them. I boarded the plane and left Nigeria and left AMAA and they were really happy.
We learnt you fought Peace AnyiamOsigwe at a point, what caused the trouble?
You see? People were happy when they heard I had an issue with Peace Anyiam-Osigwe. The same people who were happy made me feel they hated her and they would go back to her and tell her what I said and they would come to me and tell me what they said Peace said. I was stunned at the level of hypocrisy Nollywood operated. However, I did not fight with Peace. I was just foolish. I said things I should not have said to Peace; things I should never ever say to her.
Why did you go back to beg?
This will sound funny, but the truth is that I never had peace of mind when I left Peace. It was as if she held me with something. Should I be saying this on the pages of newspapers? Yes. Peace is a part of my life. I came back from Paris and went to her house and went down on my knees and begged.
What are you doing with Nollywood in Paris?
Nollywood Week Paris is not my project. It is that of Serge Noukoue and Qudus Onikeku, but I have a huge interest in what they are doing. Since they had the structure to start it, I tapped in and stuck with them. Now, people think it is my project. No, it is not.
Is it true you are peddling drug in Mexico?
No, I am not.
Why did NDLEA strip you at Airtport?
I was returning from Portugal with my elder brother, Chijioke Nwelue when the NDLEA officials cornered me and took me into a room where they stripped me and asked me to defecate. My brother sat somewhere; he could not believe what was happening. The NDLEA officials said that people informed them that I peddle drugs and because I talk about my movement on Facebook, they could trace where I was at a particular time. But these days, I have stopped. I only talk about places I am when I am already there and not on my way to the place. People are evil. Especially Nigerians.
You became a professor without a first degree, how come?
I studied Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Nigeria and left after two years. I was admitted into Prague Film School in Czech Republic to study Directing. I also went to Asian School of Media Studies and then Centre for Research in Art of Film & TV (CRAFT), where I also taught. I have attended lots of conferences, I have written articles and books and I have diplomas from different universities and started teaching early. I don’t understand when people say I don’t have a degree.
What are you teaching?
I teach African Studies, Cinema and Literature. At the University of Manipur, I am handling Achebe and NgugiwaThiong’o.
Thought you are not a fan of Achebe?
No, I am not a fan of Achebe.
You are fond of saying almost unbelievable things on Facebook, why aren’t you afraid?
There is no need to be afraid. People will use your weakness against you. If I show that I fear men, they will trample on me. The things I say are the things that I see and the way I see them. If anyone is scared of stomaching it, then this person needs to take a chill pill.
You were sick at a point, what was wrong?
I had ectopic kidney. My left kidney got damaged and I had to be operated on.
Learnt you will be playing a lead role soon, do you think you will be a good actor?
Yes. I should not be the one to say how good an actor I would be. I think the best thing is to let people see what I will do and decide.
How do you write?
I write whenever I am out of Nigeria. Nigeria has lots of distractions: the churches and mosques, filled with noisy rats!
How easy is life of an actor?
The life of an actor is not easy.
Is it true you will be lecturing at universities in Nigeria soon?
Maybe.
What should we expect of you?
Just expect a lecturer who will never ever teach with notes. Or even grade students.
Who are the Nollywood players that have offended you and what did they do?
They know themselves. No need to mention their names. I don’t even have their time.
Why do you defend Madam Peace
She’s the only woman, apart from my mother, who has ever stood solidly behind me, no matter the weather.
What is it with you and Linda Ikeji, you went on and on like you met an angel?
Before I met Linda Ikeji, I had been told different things, things that damaged her reputation. I decided to spend time with her and see things for myself. I saw an angel, actually. People have complained that I talk about her as though she has no flaws, but truth is that for me, she is what I have always wanted to be.
You were not at AMAA nomination party, why?
On the 20th of June, I was in Kampala at The Writivism Festival, where I had a panel discussion on my new book.
What is next for you?
I have a new book called Nollywood, Stranded, which will be out in September.
What is happening among you, Asa and Nneka?
Nothing, really. They are two artistes I love with all my heart.
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