SPOTLIGHT

In this interview with AFAS PRESS, ikponmwosa Gold, a.k.a, Mr. Gold speaks on his acting career.

AFAS PRESS: May we meet you?

Mr Gold: I am ikponmwosa Gold, a theatre practitioner and a baker. At the moment, a 300 level student of the department of Classics, university of Ibadan. I sell bread as well.

AFAS PRESS: How do you find Classics as a course?

Mr Gold: Classics as a course is interestingly intriguing. It captures one’s essence of being and once you get hooked to Classics, you will never let go. Classics is not just a course of study but also a study of courses which can only be appreciated by only those who see life for what it really ought to be and not what it is.

AFAS PRESS: Hmm nice. So apart from being in the four walls on the University, how do you like the other things you do?

Mr Gold: Thank you. For me, the four walls of the class is akin to a means to an end. The other things I do like, theatre, baking, marketing, salesmanship, and all, the first thing I employ is my passion. I try as much as I can not to do anything I don’t have passion for. I believe that, it is passion that enables one to enjoy whatever one does. It is passion that creates excitement. Ultimately, it is passion that leads you to where the fulfillment is: which could be anything that brings you satisfaction and success.

AFAS PRESS: So how did your baking venture start and how well do you find the Nigerian film industry?

Mr Gold: Oh thank you so dearly. Passion is everything. Huuu baking! Hmm. It’s quite a bit of a story but I will tell it somehow. Bread baking and selling was as a result of finding a side hustle to acting and theatre. Back then in Abuja, I started selling bread from the bakery of a certain business minded lady who really encouraged me. Coming to Ibadan – which is somehow laid back, I said to myself, why don’t I learn the art of baking if I’m going to be a bread seller? So, I decided to learn bread baking from UI bakery, of course, having got the recommendation from my Head of department. Today, the rest is history. My bread is one of a kind.

As for the Nigerian film industry, it is an industry that no limit if and when harnessed by all stakeholders; any government of the day inclusive. I just feel that, there are still a lot of latent potentials yet to come to the fore.

AFAS PRESS: How did you come about your first movie role and how has it been so far?

Mr Gold: Hmmm. My first movie – Confusion Na Wa, came about as a product of a good rapport with the director, Kenneth Gyang, when we were together in one BBC set. I guess he liked the character I was playing on that set and said he was working on a script which he would want me to be part of. He actually said I would love it. Well, a few weeks later, he sent me the script. I must confess that, at first, I couldn’t make a meaning of it. Till one night when I took the script again and read it with a better understanding. That was when I had a clue of what he was saying. I jumped at it! Today, the movie is still one of a kind in the history of Nollywood. Since then, it’s been from one notable script to another. So far, I will give myself a tap on my back and say to myself, well done boy!

AFAS PRESS: Interesting, It’s believed that there is no venture or adventure without its challenges. How have you been able to surmount yours?

Mr Gold: When it comes to managing the challenges that come with particularly the entertainment industry, the discipline I’ve tried over the years is to keep a low profile and live at least, within my means, if I cannot live below it. I must confess it is hard but one just have to have a value to be sustained by. Otherwise, you’ll wake up one morning and realise that the world has passed you by.

AFAS PRESS: Highlights are your greatest achievements in the industry. What would you say are your highlights so far?

Mr Gold: They say, ‘an actor is as good as his/her last performance’. I am not going to count myself to have done much of gigs but, the ones I have done are commendable and worth great recommendation. Beginning from my very first TV drama – Area Eleven Centre, to the most recent, #OneLagosNight and #DWINDLETHEMOVIE, all without exception are most talked about. They’ve all won one or two awards locally and internationally. I have equally been nominated for awards for best actor and/or supporting actor. By and large, it’s been rewarding and fulfilling as well. One thing I am always thankful for is the fact that, audiences always appreciate the effort put into the act. They always relate, one way and another.

AFAS PRESS: This is very commendable. Well done sir. Now that the school is already in session, how do you plan to manage work and school?

Mr Gold: Thank you so much. You are well aware that the pandemic dealt a great blow to virtually every sector of the economy which has depleted everyone’s finances. What I planned to do is to create a suitable timetable that would enable me have time to work while attending classes. Of course, I mustn’t be in every class. Some classes can be ‘stabbed’ in order to get and make some gigs out there. Honestly, I can’t wait for this school to be over and done with. (Laughs)

AFAS PRESS: Yes, true. The pandemic really had negative effects. If you can relate school and work to life itself, what can you say you’ve learnt?

Mr Gold: Hmm. One thing that has always worked for me is to just live and lead my own life. And it doesn’t matter how down and beaten you are, with determination and discipline, you can pick your life up again and still win. Also, never forget, THE-GOD-FACTOR! Very important.

AFAS PRESS: We can say that the Nigerian film industry is changing. It is now developing and doing much better. What do you think could be the driving force behind this change?

Mr Gold: Absolutely true. A lot of factors could be pointed to that development. First of all, competition: the healthy competition among all film makers to want to excel beyond their past in the ways and manners in which they tell and want to tell their stories. There are a number excellent script writers, some “mad” directors, well equipped cinematographers, endearing actors; and so on. These all are essentially not in competition against themselves but, with themselves.They always want to do better than the previous jobs. Moreover, the advancement in technological devices has helped to boost these creatives in their acts. I must say, with caution though, that at this point of the Nollywood craft, there is nothing that Hollywood is doing that cannot be done in Nollywood when we have the right environment.

AFAS PRESS: Utterly inspiring. In your opinion, what can you say is the role is the ARTS in society (relating it to acting and movie production)?

Mr Gold: You know life itself is art. There is the, life of arts and there is, the arts of life. The one can hardly be separated from the other. We are a product of our society. What we make out of life, and, what life makes out of us, are all what our society becomes. What acting does is to show to us, where we’ve been, where we are, where we ought to be in that society. Particularly, acting always advise (if we cared to listen), on our choice of society. Acting is an interesting world. I tell you

AFAS PRESS: Are you working on any project at the moment?

Mr Gold: Yes. A stage play about the life and time of AWO. That is, Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo.

AFAS PRESS: We wish you success. Do you have any advice for budding (upcoming) thespians of the University (UI), which they can leverage on?

Mr Gold: Amen. Thank you so much. As for upcoming thespians, find your space. Master your space. Excel in your space. Then will you be sought after.

AFAS PRESS: Thank you so much for your time sir. We wish you success in your career and nominations.