SOTAYO – Becoming Queen Mother was not a decision I made.
Fans have been anticipating Tayo Sobola’s full comeback to Nollywood for years, but in spite of several pronouncements, she has mostly been absent from the big screen. She discusses the difficulties of making motion pictures in the current industry, the true reasons for her extended break, and her choice to concentrate on YouTube in order to reach regular Nigerians in this conversation with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN. Her surprise regal appointment as the Sarauniya (Queen Mother) of the Uke Kingdom in Nasarawa is another topic she discusses openly. from her changing views on motherhood to her desire to become a politician. In this candid discussion, nothing is off the table.
We haven’t seen you in action despite your repeated announcements of your return to Nollywood in 2023 and 2022. When will you make a full comeback to the film set? After that, I believed I could return to the screen, but motherhood snatched me away. I made an effort to return, but this time I’m here for both my own and other people’s work.
Are you currently working on a big movie?
I don’t now have the funds to produce motion pictures for the theater. Only wealthy people make movies in theaters, and I don’t currently have that kind of money. In actuality, not everyone has the funds to visit movie theaters to view films. Nowadays, the average person makes every effort to watch movies on YouTube. People have been asking when I’ll be returning on TV in comments on my social media accounts lately. The problem is that when I say, “I’m going to the movie theater now,” I’m really attempting to establish a standard, and if we look at it correctly, that’s how things should be and where I belong. However, what occurs to average people who can’t afford the cinema? Transport to and fro and cinema tickets aren’t cheap but they can easily watch movies on YouTube in their comfort zone. I want to feed the eyes of those who cannot afford to go to the cinema because I am for the masses. But I am open to both. Filmmakers are remaking their classics; would you do the same with “Arewa Onijogbon,” your breakthrough film?
I’ve had requests to reproduce my films, such as “Bella,” but I am unable to do so with maintaining YouTube ownership. Trust me, I’m not prepared to waste my head on something that’s happening in the movie theater corridor right now and that’s unstable in certain places. I don’t want to waste any more mental energy on that. Instead of turmoil, I want to create money.
How do you feel about old classic films being recreated?
Everyone is aware that I dislike meddling in other people’s affairs, but let’s face it: the classic films will always be superior than anything that is being attempted to reproduce because, if it didn’t sync properly, you wouldn’t want to do it. Remaking your old film is akin to a bank requesting that you come update your passport. The old ones still feel better than the new ones, for whatever reason.
Since you become a mother, what has changed?
Other than the fact that I’m now more sensitive to youngsters, nothing has changed. I used to ignore some of the things I saw on social media, but now I find myself feeling strongly about them. I can only take so much about anything involving children.
What’s going on with your foundation since we haven’t heard anything about it?
The reason for this is a lack of funds. Some people claimed that I had government funding, but that is untrue. I spend my money. I only give out what I own. I merely removed it from the public light, but I have been influencing lives in secret.
Can you dispel the rumors that you entered politics?
I will still enter politics when the moment is appropriate, of course. In school, I studied public administration.
Entertainers who pursue careers in politics are thought to become Special Assistants to elected officials. How do you feel about that?What do you anticipate when so many people are occupying positions for which they lack a certificate? I’m not going to call names, but I can. There are a lot of SAs who are unable of reading a proper discourse. Your owner will feel comfortable asking you to represent them at significant events if you are capable of handling the role as a SA. For example, SA and lawyer Dammy Marshal, the individual she’s working with can ask her as an SA can say go and represent me because he or she knows Dammy can deliver. But how many of your SAs go to represent their bosses?
Is now a good moment to celebrate being a female Nollywood filmmaker?
Everyone has an opinion if you say so. Go there if you are capable of doing so! In my opinion, it’s a completion. There is competition. However, keep in mind that some people compete for other people’s money. The entertainment industry makes me very proud. What has it been like to be the queen mother of Nasarawa State’s Uke Kingdom?
As the Queen Mother of the Uke Kingdom in Nasarawa, my life has been easy and pleasant. This is me in Lagos, where I always have control over whatever I need to. I do anything they ask me to do.
Your admirers are interested.
My spouse is a man—a mature, well-known, and English-speaking individual.
Since many people believe that the Uke Kingdom’s Sarauniya (Queen Mother) is comparable to Olori in Yorubaland, could you elaborate on how you came to hold this position?
I didn’t know anything about it, and I didn’t pick myself. When I went there, I didn’t even know anyone. We went to do some charity work after one of the men suggested that we do it. The man approached my Abuja store and pleaded with me to go, so I chose an outfit from my inventory, put it on, and left for Nasarawa. As soon as we arrived, we all sat down waiting for the Emir to come out. I wasn’t disturbed when a guy approached and started talking to the other person I was with. Later, Emir emerged and invited me to sit next to him. People began to pour in, but I couldn’t understand what they were saying. The Emir then informed me that unless I received this title, I would not be allowed to leave his castle that day. I had never met them before, so I was perplexed. It turns out that the seat I took as soon as I entered was occupied by the former title holder, who had been waiting for a stranger to take it for years. Therefore, the palace soothsayer typically consults with strangers whenever they enter the palace to determine whether they are the chosen one. The guy who took me there was also very surprised. They gave me that position that same day.
