Nigerian Movie Star Profile
Sam Loco Efe
Sam Loco Efe is one of the most talented actors of contemporary
Nigerian theatre. He has for many years distinguished himself as a rare
talent for both television and stage drama.
Sam Loco Efe
I am Sam Loco from Benin in Edo State. Many people misplace my surname for a
Delta man. Efe is a Benin name although the Urhobo people popularised it.
Efe means Wealth in Benin as it also means in Urhobo but it means Cloth in
Ibo. My surname is fully pronounced Efeeimwonkiyeke, meaning �wealth has no
time limit.� One can be wealthy at 90 when people must have lost hope. What
actually happened was that my grandmother was having only female children
and after so many years, she gave birth to my father at an old age and when
he arrived, the name given to him is "you see now my wealth has finally
arrived." I later inherited this from my father as I was the last of my
parents� children and the only male child.
The beginning
I was born here in Enugu, but I spent my childhood in Abakaliki and a modest
attempt at becoming an actor was what triggered my passion for the stage.
There was a time, Government College, Umuahia came to Abakaliki with a
production. We all got so excited and I said to myself that if these men can
stay on stage before a large audience and render their lines without looking
into any book or script, there must be something magical about it.
A few bold ones among us asked them some questions after the production and
they said it was a matter of training and perseverance. So, when they left,
I attempted a play that was larger than our collegiate level. I decided to
produce William Shakespeare�s Julius Caesar. I acted Caesar and also
directed it without any formal training.
Education
Going to school in the East then was tough. It was not like the Western
Region where students got everything free. It was tough for us, so my nephew
and I alternated street trading on a yearly basis to enable the other
acquire education. But because of the staccato arrangement, I must confess
that I had to attend so many primary schools.
I was a very good footballer and so I went to almost ten secondary schools
playing football and getting scholarships here and there and I was stubborn
as well. As I was being admitted into one, I was being expelled from
another.
Challenges in Nollywood
I can say that the movie industry began with genuine theatre and movie
people. As soon as things started getting better, charlatans found their
ways into it. In their legion now there are a mixture of purpose, some are
in Nollywood not because of the urge to be a Thespian nor the willingness to
learn but I believe that as time goes on, we shall flush such people out.
This is a house I helped to build and it would be madness for me to allow
people with no history to rubbish the much that has been achieved.
Story lines of Nigerian movies
I would not say that I am satisfied but I would rather say that I am happy
with the progress made so far. Critics in Nigeria like to jump the gun. How
old is Nollywood? We cannot deny that the story lines are getting better,
even as we cannot deny that the performers are also helping to make things
get better. However, there is a need for continued training by the
stakeholders in the industry. But we shouldn�t deny that progress is been
made.
Best paid job
I think Langbodo was my first truly well paid job. Being a national
production we were well paid. I was being treated like an egg because I
played the lead role. On screen, I think it�s my best paid job.
Tel:571-247-2679 email:contact@nigeriamovies.net
