Biodun Okeowo talks about how she toiled to survive.
Nollywood actress, Biodun Okeowo, fondly called Omobutty, speaks on her struggles with unwanted pregnancy, 18years ago.
According to her, though she didn’t plan to have a child when she did, she had to struggle through unimaginable conditions to survive. Things got so bad for her that she had to feed her child with soaked garri, at a point. This is because she didn’t have enough money to feed properly. She listed all the menial jobs she had to do to survive.
She wrote;
Eighteen years ago, I got pregnant. A mistake I thought has ruined my life. People laughed, jeered and mocked me… #YetIwon# The embarrassment was too much, that it gave me strength to decide I must go back to school. I enrolled at L.A.S.U (part-time)
With no support from anyone except my mum. I did so many menial jobs to cater for myself and the new baby.
I fried doughnuts and Chin chin, which I supply to retailers on campus.
I sold rice outside mummy’s shop on days that I have no lectures. I sold hair extensions, make hair, ‘stay awake overnight to make hair for people (one million braid) was in vogue then.
I remembered a particular day I fed my son with soaked garri! Yes, I couldn’t afford a tin of even the cheapest ‘My boy’ baby food then.. #yetIwon
I struggled, refused to beg, worked, toiled, laboured to be able to stand on my feet. Whatever you are going through be strong, positive, hardworking, and steadfast. And No matter how poor you are, invest the little you get into something.
Fast track to 2006 I joined the movie industry after my IT at The Lagos State Television Agidingbi. Acting is another chapter in my life. I experienced mockery, intimidation. I was called different names, looked down upon, aliases like “Biodun oni cut and sew” and “Tolani Alankara”
I could not afford the expensive cloth/costumes. I was not sophisticated enough. #YetIwon. Dresses/dressing didn’t pave way for me neither did it stop my success. However, my God given talent make it all possible and easy.
The name people call you today doesn’t define you… be content with whatever you have.
I almost quit because of intimidation, but that strength of “i must make it” came into play. I refused to be intimidated,bow to pressures,or borrow. I was contented with my “cut and sew”. #yetIwon
Then came the trial that pushed me into becoming an entrepreneur.! For two years I was ignored, no movie jobs, not because of inexperience but because of… yet I persisted. #yetIwon.
I prayed,fasted, and believed in myself. Thereafter, I did a movie that launched me back into reckoning.
