Uche
is one of the children of veteran Nollywoood actor, Pete Edochie. He
speaks about his father outside the stage with Punch, see excerpts below:
is one of the children of veteran Nollywoood actor, Pete Edochie. He
speaks about his father outside the stage with Punch, see excerpts below:
Tell us briefly about yourself.
I
am Uche, one of Pete Edochie’s children comprising five boys and a
girl. I am the second son and the third child in the family. I studied
Visual Arts but I do a variety of things. I am a painter, designer and
photographer. I also write a sex column for some Nigerian newspapers and
I am into construction too.
am Uche, one of Pete Edochie’s children comprising five boys and a
girl. I am the second son and the third child in the family. I studied
Visual Arts but I do a variety of things. I am a painter, designer and
photographer. I also write a sex column for some Nigerian newspapers and
I am into construction too.
What memories of your growing up can you remember?
Regarding
what my father does as an actor, I can recall when he participated in
the television adaptation of the late Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart.
It was a very exciting period because we had never witnessed anything
like that. Several actors like Justus Esiri used to come to our house.
He would leave the house at night to shoot movies with his colleagues
and return early the next day with marks on his body and palm fronds
adorning his head. It was a very exciting period. There was no picnic or
visiting relaxation joints as a family with my dad. We did that more
with our mother. My father is not such a man. We united more with our
father by following him to church. He used to attend evening mass. He
does not like going out once he is home. He could be with his friends in
the compound to discuss things generally.
what my father does as an actor, I can recall when he participated in
the television adaptation of the late Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart.
It was a very exciting period because we had never witnessed anything
like that. Several actors like Justus Esiri used to come to our house.
He would leave the house at night to shoot movies with his colleagues
and return early the next day with marks on his body and palm fronds
adorning his head. It was a very exciting period. There was no picnic or
visiting relaxation joints as a family with my dad. We did that more
with our mother. My father is not such a man. We united more with our
father by following him to church. He used to attend evening mass. He
does not like going out once he is home. He could be with his friends in
the compound to discuss things generally.
What are the things you recall about his broadcasting years?
I
experienced my father as broadcaster in two ways: one, the way he tried
to raise us because he ensured we didn’t speak poor English language.
He corrected us if we made mistakes while speaking the English language.
The second was through one of the programmes, Music from the Masters,
which he anchored then at the Anambra Broadcasting Service. He played
classical songs of George Handel, Ludwig Van Beethoven and so on. His
format was to introduce the music, discuss the mindset of the singer and
what he or she stood for. It was a great programme especially when one
considers the way he handled the presentation without using a script.
These were the ways I experienced him as a broadcaster. At home, he was
just dad. We never went with him to work but we did not miss his
programmes.
experienced my father as broadcaster in two ways: one, the way he tried
to raise us because he ensured we didn’t speak poor English language.
He corrected us if we made mistakes while speaking the English language.
The second was through one of the programmes, Music from the Masters,
which he anchored then at the Anambra Broadcasting Service. He played
classical songs of George Handel, Ludwig Van Beethoven and so on. His
format was to introduce the music, discuss the mindset of the singer and
what he or she stood for. It was a great programme especially when one
considers the way he handled the presentation without using a script.
These were the ways I experienced him as a broadcaster. At home, he was
just dad. We never went with him to work but we did not miss his
programmes.
Did he influence your career choice and your siblings’?
Yes,
my father did influence my career choice. We have five artists in our
family; my father, myself and three of my brothers; the architect, Gene,
actor; Yul and the painter/actor; Linc. I took after my father as a
visual artist. What he tries to do as an actor, I communicate it through
pictures and paintings. At a time I wanted to study Architecture but I
did not have the requirements. I only qualified for Fine Arts and opted
to stay at home to retake the examination into the university. My father
urged me to go and study Fine Arts, saying he was sure I would excel in
it. During my first year in the school, I knew that was what I should
do. The course opened my eyes because prior to that time I was an
average student. I took different courses and learnt new things.
my father did influence my career choice. We have five artists in our
family; my father, myself and three of my brothers; the architect, Gene,
actor; Yul and the painter/actor; Linc. I took after my father as a
visual artist. What he tries to do as an actor, I communicate it through
pictures and paintings. At a time I wanted to study Architecture but I
did not have the requirements. I only qualified for Fine Arts and opted
to stay at home to retake the examination into the university. My father
urged me to go and study Fine Arts, saying he was sure I would excel in
it. During my first year in the school, I knew that was what I should
do. The course opened my eyes because prior to that time I was an
average student. I took different courses and learnt new things.
Did you enjoy any special treatment while in school because of who your father is?
There
was no preferential treatment for me while I was in school. There were
some people who told me about how much they love his acting. In fact,
when I was studying, he often visited me in school but it was not on
campus but outside. I had a studio outside the school because I knew I
was going to major in painting. Each time he came, he visited me in the
studio and we would talk about many things before he left.
was no preferential treatment for me while I was in school. There were
some people who told me about how much they love his acting. In fact,
when I was studying, he often visited me in school but it was not on
campus but outside. I had a studio outside the school because I knew I
was going to major in painting. Each time he came, he visited me in the
studio and we would talk about many things before he left.
Your father is fond of proverbs. Did he encourage his children to learn some?
I
think his interest in proverbs is more of a generation thing. Our
generation does not really speak in proverbs. I often laugh whenever
people tell me some of the rich proverbs traceable to him. None of my
siblings speaks in proverbs. My father is a very funny guy. He is being
only type-cast as a chief or ruler. He is more of a comedian. He made us
laugh often when we were living together. He however did not compel us
to learn proverbs.
think his interest in proverbs is more of a generation thing. Our
generation does not really speak in proverbs. I often laugh whenever
people tell me some of the rich proverbs traceable to him. None of my
siblings speaks in proverbs. My father is a very funny guy. He is being
only type-cast as a chief or ruler. He is more of a comedian. He made us
laugh often when we were living together. He however did not compel us
to learn proverbs.
In movies, he cuts the picture of a no-nonsense man, is he like that at home?
No,
he was not like that now but when we were young, he was like that. As a
child, if we did anything wrong he disciplined us. He would tell us to
raise up our hands or use the cane on us if we misbehaved. I remember
that my mother who is a lawyer used to take us some subjects. There was a
time she was not around and my father had to teach us. That was when I
knew the difference between when my mother was taking the lessons and
when my father had to. I remember he was trying to teach me to pronounce
some words and I did not get the exact pronunciation. He whipped me a
few times and that memory stuck. We had lesson teachers but our parents
decided to teach us during those times. Anyway, I learnt a lot from the
way my father tried to train us. When we were young there was a tendency
to think our parents were mean when they disciplined us. As an adult,
one would appreciate the efforts of one’s father in trying to make one
become a responsible individual. It was not easy for my father to raise
five boys. He needed to be solid and strong like a soldier. We cautioned
ourselves because we did not want to offend him so that we would not be
caned.
he was not like that now but when we were young, he was like that. As a
child, if we did anything wrong he disciplined us. He would tell us to
raise up our hands or use the cane on us if we misbehaved. I remember
that my mother who is a lawyer used to take us some subjects. There was a
time she was not around and my father had to teach us. That was when I
knew the difference between when my mother was taking the lessons and
when my father had to. I remember he was trying to teach me to pronounce
some words and I did not get the exact pronunciation. He whipped me a
few times and that memory stuck. We had lesson teachers but our parents
decided to teach us during those times. Anyway, I learnt a lot from the
way my father tried to train us. When we were young there was a tendency
to think our parents were mean when they disciplined us. As an adult,
one would appreciate the efforts of one’s father in trying to make one
become a responsible individual. It was not easy for my father to raise
five boys. He needed to be solid and strong like a soldier. We cautioned
ourselves because we did not want to offend him so that we would not be
caned.
How does he like to relax?
Once he is back home, he will lie down and play classical music. Once he is in that position, nobody dares disturb him.
How has his name assisted you?
My
father urged us early in life to struggle to make meanings out of our
lives. He told us not to depend on anybody. We do not live on his name.
All of us are self-made. Self-made in the sense that we decided what we
wanted to do and pursued it. The support we got from our father was the
support that should come from any good father. He gave us some money
while we were yet to start earning a living. Otherwise, if one is
looking for a job one will have to go job-hunting by oneself. He would
even be the one to say, ‘join the queue.’
father urged us early in life to struggle to make meanings out of our
lives. He told us not to depend on anybody. We do not live on his name.
All of us are self-made. Self-made in the sense that we decided what we
wanted to do and pursued it. The support we got from our father was the
support that should come from any good father. He gave us some money
while we were yet to start earning a living. Otherwise, if one is
looking for a job one will have to go job-hunting by oneself. He would
even be the one to say, ‘join the queue.’
What are the values you learnt from him?
I
do not drink because I recall that my father is not a lover of alcohol.
I do not smoke because my father does not smoke. I do not womanise
because my father does not do so. He is someone that can account for
everything in his house because he laboured to get them. I can also
account for all what I own today because I worked hard to acquire them.
If I am in any organisation today, I can boldly say I cannot mismanage
funds or steal money. My father is a man of integrity and we have
imbibed many values from him. When I was living with him, there was no
day anybody knocked at our door to say he owed him or stole from him. He
is a man of honour. We all emulate his great ideals.
do not drink because I recall that my father is not a lover of alcohol.
I do not smoke because my father does not smoke. I do not womanise
because my father does not do so. He is someone that can account for
everything in his house because he laboured to get them. I can also
account for all what I own today because I worked hard to acquire them.
If I am in any organisation today, I can boldly say I cannot mismanage
funds or steal money. My father is a man of integrity and we have
imbibed many values from him. When I was living with him, there was no
day anybody knocked at our door to say he owed him or stole from him. He
is a man of honour. We all emulate his great ideals.
How does he handle misunderstanding with your mother?
They
are so close and discuss maturely. Once in a while they can argue. But
they have a way of settling it in a mature way without the children
being aware. They love each other so much. They do not take each other
for granted.
are so close and discuss maturely. Once in a while they can argue. But
they have a way of settling it in a mature way without the children
being aware. They love each other so much. They do not take each other
for granted.
What is his favourite meal?
He likes eba and egusi soup
What is his best drink?
My
father takes water. For a long time when I was growing up he did not
drink. After some time, he started drinking but it was little and in
moderation.
father takes water. For a long time when I was growing up he did not
drink. After some time, he started drinking but it was little and in
moderation.
Who are his friends?
My
father has a lot of friends. He is 67 and he told us that most of his
friends had died. Many of his friends are from the broadcasting circles.
He has very regular friends and he is faithful to them.
father has a lot of friends. He is 67 and he told us that most of his
friends had died. Many of his friends are from the broadcasting circles.
He has very regular friends and he is faithful to them.
How does he like to dress?
He
likes native and English dresses depending on the occasion. But since
he left broadcasting for Nollywood, he wears more of native attire.
likes native and English dresses depending on the occasion. But since
he left broadcasting for Nollywood, he wears more of native attire.
How close are you to him?
We
do not talk often but any time I speak to him on the telephone, It will
be as if we spoke a day before. The same relationship exists between me
and my brothers. We do not call ourselves just to say hello without
having something cogent to say. Maybe it is because we are boys. The
best way to describe my relationship with my father is that we are close
without being too close. We are however close enough.
do not talk often but any time I speak to him on the telephone, It will
be as if we spoke a day before. The same relationship exists between me
and my brothers. We do not call ourselves just to say hello without
having something cogent to say. Maybe it is because we are boys. The
best way to describe my relationship with my father is that we are close
without being too close. We are however close enough.
Which of the movies he acted in do you like most and why?
It is Things Fall Apart.
I am not disparaging the Nollywood industry but I think many of the
movies today are hurriedly done. It is not because it is what I feel. I
know that many people who are familiar with the industry feel that way
too. When Things Fall Apart was shot, it took a year and the
post-production gulped a year too. When the film was eventually
released, it was, for me, a perfect Nigerian movie. I cannot say that
for the other movies he acted in not because they are not good. I think Things Fall Apart stands out any day. There is always one thing one does in life that stands one out. I think Things Fall Apart is the best film my father has ever participated in.
I am not disparaging the Nollywood industry but I think many of the
movies today are hurriedly done. It is not because it is what I feel. I
know that many people who are familiar with the industry feel that way
too. When Things Fall Apart was shot, it took a year and the
post-production gulped a year too. When the film was eventually
released, it was, for me, a perfect Nigerian movie. I cannot say that
for the other movies he acted in not because they are not good. I think Things Fall Apart stands out any day. There is always one thing one does in life that stands one out. I think Things Fall Apart is the best film my father has ever participated in.
How
did he react when the industry’s leadership banned him alongside some
popular stars for charging what it termed ‘outrageous fees’?
did he react when the industry’s leadership banned him alongside some
popular stars for charging what it termed ‘outrageous fees’?
It
was a difficult period. The top earners in the industry earn maybe half
a million or a million. It is little to what is offered in Hollywood. I
felt it was unfair because if those banned from acting then were
charging high fees, other persons could be called upon to take up roles
rather than banning those accused of charging ‘high fees.’ I never
understood the idea of banning the entertainers when they were not doing
things to shame the industry. The period also allowed him to explore
his creative part as a producer. It was later that the matter was
resolved.
was a difficult period. The top earners in the industry earn maybe half
a million or a million. It is little to what is offered in Hollywood. I
felt it was unfair because if those banned from acting then were
charging high fees, other persons could be called upon to take up roles
rather than banning those accused of charging ‘high fees.’ I never
understood the idea of banning the entertainers when they were not doing
things to shame the industry. The period also allowed him to explore
his creative part as a producer. It was later that the matter was
resolved.
How did his family handle the situation when he was kidnapped in 2009?
I
was in a cinema with my family when I received a call that my father
was kidnapped. I was confused and hurriedly left the place with my
family. My brothers called and we decided to grant the request of the
kidnappers to save our father.
was in a cinema with my family when I received a call that my father
was kidnapped. I was confused and hurriedly left the place with my
family. My brothers called and we decided to grant the request of the
kidnappers to save our father.
Does it mean the family paid to secure his release?
There
was no way we could get him out if we did not do what the kidnappers
wanted. We even had to do it quickly to secure his release.
was no way we could get him out if we did not do what the kidnappers
wanted. We even had to do it quickly to secure his release.
Is he as rich as he appears in some movies?
All I can say is that my father is comfortable.