Nollywood actor, Jamiu Azeez, recently trended online after a picture of him wearing an attire which seemed to be made of naira notes went viral. In this interview with OPEYEMI ADEFEMI, the actor reacts to some of the questions raised by his action
It’s a new year. What was your experience last year? Will you describe it as very successful, particularly as regards your career as an actor?
Well, let me start with alihamdulilahi robil alameen! As regards my career, 2022 was so eventful; I got featured in so many good projects that I can’t wait for people to see. But outside career, I mean life generally in 2022 was kinda hard for many people. The economic meltdown affected us a lot and I was not an exception. 2022 was very challenging and frustrating kinda, but we survived and that’s an achievement on its own.
What are your expectations for 2023?
As for my expectations, I leave everything in the hands of the one who knows the beginning and the end. I’m gonna put in so much efforts on life and career and I can only expect God to crown my efforts and bless my ‘hustle’; but regardless, its positive all the way throughout the year and beyond.
There is a viral picture of you dressed in what seemed like an outfit made with naira notes. What was the occasion and what was the motivation behind the style?
The picture was just a content and it was not even my concept; my face was placed in it with Photoshop. It was a fan that sent it to me with my face and I love it and just decided to post it to appreciate the artwork of the fan and I as well tagged the original owner under the picture.
What kind of reactions or comments have you been getting from people on the photograph?
Different reactions, actually. Some people understand it was just ‘cruise’ and were like ‘what is this?’
How do you react to people who think that what you did was an abuse of the Nigerian currency?
Well, I don’t think I have any issue regarding that; it was just a content and it does not even belong to me.
Some people insinuated that law enforcement agents may come after you. Does that worry you?
No, it does not worry me. I took time to check the page of the original content owner and his motive was not to abuse the currency but to just make a concept out of it. The currency wasn’t torn or rough-handled in any way, so I don’t think law enforcement agencies would have a problem with that.
What did you do with the money after the shoot?
As I said earlier, it was not my content and I was not there at the time of the shoot, so I have no idea what was done with the money afterwards.
