Toyin Adewale is a known face in Nollywood, particularly the Yoruba movie genre. From when she ventured out as an actress decades ago, the mother of three has only associated herself with movies that teach good moral lessons, interestingly the fulcrum of the Yoruba movie sector.
AJIBADE ALABI recently had a chat with the lady popularly called ‘Mama Tee,’ and she spoke about her marriage, acting career and how she met her producer/husband, Sunday Adewale.
How did the story begin for Mama Tee?
First of all, I will say I give a very big thanks to my creator. In fact, I owe Him all things because He is the one that has helped me through. I met my husband while I was at the Rimax Institute in 1988. In fact, we were together for a year before he got admission into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He left me there. From there I went to the Lagos State Polytechnic and studied Business Administration.
What has kept your marriage on?
I am happily married to S.A. Adewale. People call him S.A. but his full name is Sunday Ademola Adewale. Concerning my marriage, I will say again that I give God all the glory. There has been so many ups and downs but I thank God that I was able to overcome them, and I thank God for the kind of man my husband is. He is a God-fearing person and loving too. I also thank God because he has always been there for me.
You started acting 25 years ago, with which group?
I started with stage performances with the likes of Ben Tomoloju, Antar Laniyan, Biodun Ayanyinka – popularly called Papa Ajasco; Salome Eketunde, Yinka Davies and others.
Which Yoruba theatre caucus did you belong as there are many?
I will say I belong to all of them. I studied acting in school and when I started, I was freelancing with the Sunday Soyinka Film now known as Korede Films. From there I worked with the Odunfa caucus and several other caucuses.
Having been on the stage for 20 years, have you ever thought of quitting your marriage?
Yes; you are very correct. I’m human, don’t forget. I can never tell you that marriage is a bed of roses. Of course, there are ups and downs, which I also face as well. I thank God for my husband; he has been tolerant. Left to me, I wanted to pack out at a time. But it was even my God and my mother that were there for me. My mother was the one that told me: ‘Toyin, no! You found him; you showed him to me; you said this is the man you wanted to marry. Don’t leave him. Whatever comes out of it, you have to stay with him; he is your husband.’ And I thank God for my husband, he is tolerant.
Talking about tolerance, how far can you go to tolerating the excesses from your fans?
You know we are in Nigeria. The kind of fans we have here are different. The way they appreciate celebrities, I don’t understand. Fine, I think they should learn from foreign fans. There were several occasions that I was annoyed with my fans in the way they approach me. At times they can just give me a pat on my buttocks – all in the name of appreciation. They can just exclaim: Iya were yi re (Here’s that mad woman we saw on TV). They are just becoming a nuisance in the guise of getting something from us. Anyway, I have got used to them because that is the way they express themselves.
Having spent 20 years on stage, what have been the challenges?
No, I have spent 25 years in the make-believe industry. I am celebrating my 29th years’ wedding anniversary; 25 years on stage; my son’s 20th birthday anniversary and I’m having a rebrand of programme. I used to have a programme that talks about marriages but we rested it for a while. Now, I want to revive it. The name of the programme is Ninu Ile Wa. Now, I want to revive it and bring it back to life. So it is a 4-in-1 programme.
That means you were already an actress when you met your husband?
Yes, I met him while he was acting. He was already some years ahead of me.
Did you ever feel threatened that other beautiful girls in the industry could snatch your husband?
(Laughs) You know God had already given me my husband. If l see him with anybody, I know it could be business matters or they are just friends. I trust my husband.
Which particular movie brought you to limelight?
I will give kudos to Korede Films, Tosibe. The first film I acted that gave me a name was Irepodun. It was produced by Korede Films. Like the movies we premiered in Ijebu-Ode in 2006, the story is about what is happening in the society. I have produced about seven movies. I don’t really have a favourite among them. Our stories always have to do with marriages. My husband and I always think that is our ministry. We talk about marriages, how to protect your home, how to make your marriage work etc. That is why most of our movies have their stories revolving around marriage.
How did your parents react to your being an actress when you started?
My father was against me being an actress. He wondered how his daughter could be dancing and acting around like some beggars when he was alive? He did not see any future in it and did not mince words about it. He told me: ‘Toyin, you have to face your education. I don’t want any of my children to end up as an illiterate. And you know then, whatever a husband decides,
the wife or wives as the case may be automatically support the idea. As far as my mum was concerned, I was her only child and she wanted the best for me and I fulfilled their wishes by going to school. I am not an illiterate today, but it is a pity that my father died prematurely. I wish he was still alive to see the success I’ve made of my acting profession.
How was growing up like for you?
I grew up on the Island and it was much fun. Lagos Island is characterised by social activities. Though we were exposed to a lot of fun, we were strictly guided. My parents were strict and disciplined. For me, it was extra tough. I was the only child of my mother and so, I was closely monitored. I am from a polygamous family and so I was never lonely. I had people around me all the time.
You have also acted in English movies as you do in the Yoruba versions. What is your assessment?
Both are good but there are some peculiarities. In the Yoruba sector, we relate as one big family. We help ourselves where and when necessary. But in the English sector, it is purely a professional relationship. You work for me, you get paid.
What advice do you have as one who has celebrated her 20 years of marriage?
The number one thing is for married women to be submissive to their husband, according to the Bible which says: ‘Wife, be submissive unto your husband.’ Even if you are older or richer than your husband, he is your husband, and you have to respect him. You have to be submissive; you have to be tolerant; you have to show love to your husband. That is when your marriage will work.
In recent times, a couple of movie actors and actresses have experienced broken marriages. Is it that the industry allows it?
Let me correct one notion. The industry does not support broken marriages. I think our ladies in the movie industry should just learn to be tolerant because marriage is all about tolerance. If you don’t have that heart to overlook things, if you cannot tolerate things, if you cannot just let bygone be bygone, you cannot keep a home. I think that is the problem of our young women nowadays. To keep your home, you have to be prayerful, submissive and tolerant. You have to learn to forgive one another to make the marriage work.
What do you appreciate about your husband?
He is the most handsome man I have ever come across. I love him so much because he understands me very well.