“I am not ready to produce any movie again until the government puts necessary measures in place to fight piracy in the country“
Ebun Oloyede was born on the 27th of July in Kenta, Oke Ejigbo, Abeokuta. He
attended Saint Jude’s Primary School, Abeokuta, and had his secondary school education at Premier Grammar School, Abeokuta. He has produced a lot of movies like Iru Esin, Baale Oko Ilu, Ololade (Mr. Money), Abela Pupa, and many more.
He is well known for his comical roles in Yoruba movies. He is not only unique with his tribal marks, but also an actor par excellence that has carved a niche for himself in the movie industry. According to Oloyede, he was inspired to act while growing up after watching one of the films of the late Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love) titled, “Maarama”. He later joined the Musbau Shodimu Theatre Organisation based in Abeokuta in the early 70s.
Oloyede recalls his sad experience and how piracy had forced him to stop producing. He states, “2008 was the last time I shot a movie, and I was working on it till I released it in 2014, the title was Aditu Isokan, while the English movie was Mystery of Unity.” According to him, the major sponsor of the movie was Taju Abioye and over 52 Million Naira was spent on it. “I am not ready to produce any movie again until the government puts necessary measures in place to fight piracy in the country”, he noted in protest.
On his decision to further his
education, he says “my decision to go back to school is not only due to my scanty educational attainments as citation in public events but also different opportunities missed.” He continued, “in 2003/2004, Oga Bello and I were given an award at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. I was awarded the “King of Theatre” while Oga Bello was awarded the “Evergreen Actor”. It was at this day that he made up his mind to advance himself educationally beyond the secondary school level. “Today, I am happy to be a Theatre Arts student and the long-time ambition is coming to reality even though there are a lot of challenges involved”, he remarks cheerfully.
In addressing the clash of interests between his career and education, he has devoted Saturday as a special day for his studies. To him, there would be no acting on Saturdays till he completes his degree programme at the Crescent University Abeokuta, Ogun State. “I have made my colleagues in the industry to understand this”, he maintains.Alhaji Oloyede, a responsible and disciplined father, has trained most of his children to acquire university education. He also respects the children’s choices with regard to their careers. Hear him, “none of my children is being forced to take up acting. They don’t even like it except Ridwan Oloyede who is a musician”.
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