IN THE close to 15 years he’s been associated with the industry, Chidi Mokeme has come to be regarded as one in a number of ‘bad-boys’ Nollywood has spawned , from Jim Ikye to Emeka Enyiocha and Desmond Elliot among others. And from all appearances, he gets a kick out of projecting such an image.

Chidi Mokeme

As he told Nigeria’s Tunde Osowe just last week:
“… I have to say I love playing the bad-boy role because there is a lot of fun there. As the bad- boy, you get to drive all the good cars, and get all the women, while the good-guy is busy, frustrated and running around. Of course, I prefer to play the role, but I also play all kinds of roles as may be determined by whoever is in charge.”

Born Chidiebere Geoffrey Azubuike Mokeme, Chidi, who’s in his mid-30s, says his being in the movie industry was not by chance, but on account of the good rapport he’d developed with most of the producers and actors. “Before then, I was into modelling in commercial advertisement, television and radio shows. Of course, I enjoyed it greatly. My transition from modelling to acting came about due to my relationship with directors and other actors. I have always been a good observer. I would survey my environment carefully so that I can fit in perfectly.”

Seems he’d always wanted to be in the movies, but his parents wouldn’t hear of it. They wanted him to go for the sciences, which is just what he did on leaving High School. Initially, he’d wanted to study pharmacy, but a later change of heart saw him take up computer science.

Asked what it was like growing up, Chidi, who’s the eldest of four, said: “I grew up like every other Nigerian with a humble beginning. I grew up in Surulere, Lagos, from a loving family… We hail from Anambra State. I had a pretty good upbringing, nothing extravagant, but with responsible parents who tried to make sure their children get what they needed.”

Like most Nollywood actors we’ve come across so far, he too did not have any prior professional training in acting.

“… I would say, experience seems to be the best teacher. Over the years, I had featured in many hits and I enjoy working with the likes of Izu Ojukwu, Ami Amenech, directors of the hit thriller armed robbery, ‘Desperados’. They are very focused and professional. Izu pushes you and wants to bring everything out of you, because he gives his everything and in turn, you want to give him everything too.”

This brings us to the question of whether he sees himself as an accomplished actor, having been around the industry all these years. His first reaction was incredulity.

“Accomplished actor! At the stage where I am right now, the accomplishment is yet to come. Right now, I make a conscious effort to be useful, to be responsible and relevant, and to have meaning in society. I believe the accomplishment will come at a later date, because I have focus, and I know what I am doing this for. The life of an actor is more than just partying, being famous and having a good time. Such fame can be the unique platform needed to spark off a change in a rapidly-growing industry like Nollywood. But ultimately, one has to be consistent, and maintain a good posture at every twist and turn.”

And who is his role model?
“I have a big heart and of course, I have nourished it through careful observation of the world around me. I’m known for monitoring the impact and changes gaining momentum in the international political arena. I indulge myself in the aura of President Barack Obama, a man who has grown to become my role model since his highly-publicised campaign to be the first African-American President of the United States of America.

“I’m lifted each time I recall the scene from the recent G-20 Summit and President Obama’s breathtaking trips since he assumed office. The guy is making too much sense; more sense than I have heard in the past 15 years or thereabouts. He really turned my thinking around, and gave me a new platform of possibilities in the face of daunting challenges. Success is nothing if it doesn’t impact on everybody around you. Obama is a reflection of my innermost desire: To teach people that you can be who you want to be and can explore your potential to the fullest.”

Well! There you have it!