Ekocity layout August-1

ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
Nigerians are the
most creative set of
people globally
- VJ Adams
The name of Adams Ibrahim Ademola may sound strange to lovers of entertainment
but VJ Adams will definitely not. One of Nigeria’s best in entertainment,
VJ Adams explains that he don’t know who he is but definitely
knows who he wants to be, in this interview. Enjoy the inspirational words
from one of Nigeria’s best VJs.
What actually influenced your choice of career?
What influenced my choice of career is the
possibility of being the best. I figured out
that I probably won’t be the best Engineer as
my parents wanted me to be. So, I pursued a
career that I have the potential of being the
best. In secondary school, I was the social prefect
and that was my first introduction to entertainment
at any level. In and out, I’ve been
involved in so many things but I discovered
that I have the potential of being the best in
entertainment.
How long have you been doing entertainment
professionally?
I started doing entertainment about eight
years ago. My official debut was Next Movie
Star West Africa in 2008, although I did a little
bit of modeling before then. I started counting
my mark in 2008 actually. If you ask me, I
actually don’t know who I am, but I definitely
know who I want to be. Who do I want to be?
I want to be a man that will be remembered
for good.
From your experience, what are the critical
factors for success in the industry?
I believe that people have to do whatever
they do for the right reasons. You need to
search deep within you to find out the reasons
why you are doing what you are doing. A
lot of people go into different facets of entertainment
for money. I tell people that there’s
no possible way you will be the best in what
you do and not make money. The key is to be
diligent in whatever you do and be passionate
about what you do. To be a success, you
need to do what you do for the right reasons.
Assessment of the entertainment industry
in Nigeria:
The entertainment industry in Nigeria is
evolving and I think a lot needs to be done in
terms of copyrights, trademarks, piracy and
distribution across board. Have we grown
over the years? The answer is absolutely yes,
but I’m of the school of thought that there’s
always something bigger to look forward to
as it can always get better. I believe it’s better
for the industry practitioners today compared
to their counterparts twenty years ago and I
hope it will be a lot better for people who will
be doing entertainment in another twenty
years.
In terms of creativity, how do you rate Nigeria
entertainers?
Interestingly, Nigerians are very creative people,
perhaps one of the most creative set of
people globally. I know that without a doubt.
But, creativity is a minute part of making anything
out of entertainment. As you would
have known that while you are toying with an
idea, a thousand people are doing the same,
but the difference is in the execution. It’s the
execution part that is pretty difficult for a lot
of people. You have an idea knowing full well
that you have to register the idea and copyright
and trademark it; do you have the funds
to do all of that. These are some of the things
that should be looked into.
Projections:
My projection in the next five years in terms of
work is that I want to have my own shows that
I’ll be the Executive producer. I’m on the verge
of doing that as a lot of pilot shoot is ongoing
as we speak. I want to be in that place that
I’ll be making impact even in my sleep. For
the industry, I sincerely hope that the issue
of piracy will be totally dealt with. Generally,
everything that affects the country directly
affects the industry, especially in the areas of
infrastructural development. I’m hoping that
distribution will get a lot better and people
will have the platform to express themselves.
How do you handle female fans?
Female fans are female fans; it’s what it is and
I don’t take them for granted. I understand
that people look up to you on different levels.
I feel like it’s a blessing in identifying female
fans as female fans. I’m all about competence
and getting the job done. I’ve heard people
say that I’m arrogant a lot of times but I’m not
responsible for how you feel about me till you
meet me. It is a deliberate action that all you
hear and know about me are my works.
What has been the most challenging experience
for you?
Like I said earlier, whatever the challenge the
country is going through has a way of affecting
what we do technically. For example, I’ve
not had light in my house for the past 48hours
so I rely on generators to get light. How
about people that cannot afford generators,
it means their productivity will be adversely
affected. If the country is fixed, and laws are
made to protect intellectual properties, then
execution becomes a lot easier.
Achievements:
Honestly, I don’t even know. I move on too
quickly, sadly. I’m constantly on the move to
the next project as I don’t get carried away
by little successes and I think that is what has
brought me thus far. I’ve been priviledged
to have won many awards but I’ve not been
able to receive any of the awards personally
because I’ve moved on to the next project. It’s
good to win awards but knowing full well that
your time is limited on earth, I try as much as
possible to put in my best in the little time I
have.
What drives you?
The driving force is the ability to fulfill my potentials
as a human being. A lot of people are
afraid of what people will say about them. I
know quite a number of my colleagues who
feels they are talented and have interest in
doing more than they are currently doing, but
guess what; they are scared of what people
will say, forgetting that when you are lowered
in your grave, nobody’s opinion is going to
count. I do everything possible to fulfill my
potentials and everything I do; I try to put in
my best to it. One prayer that is constant in
my lips is to have good health.
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