‘Donald Trump’s Leadership will checkmate Terrorism’–Emeka Ossai, Africa’s famous Movie ACTOR
…America’s President-elect tenure will help curb capital flight from Nigeria on Corruption
*Nigeria’s President should learn from Trump’s virtues of Decisiveness, Assertiveness
*America’s Democratic Party and Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party share common ground
*Talks about LIFE as a Top Model
*PLUS Hollywood’s Intend Appearance
HE’s one of Africa’s movie actors, a leader in African movie industry, creative director with excellence and professionalism as benchmark. Emeka Ossai, very humble, unassuming highly sought after award-wining Nollywood legend eyes America’s Hollywood industry, eulogize Donald Trump on leadership, doggedness, forthrightness and vision. In this Exclusive interview with GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU, this wealthy Nigerian actor and recipient of one of Nigeria’s chieftaincy titles discussed why Nigerian government should learn from Trump’s Brexit victory, Steps Nigeria should take in reducing illegal immigration of Nigerians Overseas, How Trump’s administration will help curb corruption in Africa’s most populous black nation
Q: What lessons do you think Nigeria and other African leaders could learn from the ‘Brexit election’ that ushered in Donald Trump, America’s 45th President-elect?
A: Lessons I believe our leaders need to learn are:-(a) Remember the basic definition of democracy (b) When one gets power through a democratic process, ensure you remember that power belongs to the people, so carry them and not only ‘the establishment’ along in your leadership (c) Remember every nation is a sovereign entity; so they come first before globalization.
Q: In what ways can you compare Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to America’s Democratic Party?
A: The Nigerian PDP and American democratic party have one fundamental thing in common; they stopped listening to the ‘real’ people of their countries. They got carried away by what they thought was excellent job they were doing for the people.
Q: What do you think are the greatest virtues of Donald Trump which could become assets to his governance?
A: Donald Trump’s greatest leadership virtues are in his decisiveness, hard bargaining power, assertiveness, desire to win in all that he does, his non-condescending attitude etc. These are leadership virtues in him will certainly impact positively on America in bringing it to what is expected.
Q: How do you think Trump’s leadership could positively impact on Nigeria?
A: First, we believe his leadership will check internal terrorism which is our biggest headache right now especially with the Boko Haram sect that we think America hasn’t helped enough with tackling. We also believe Trump will help curb capital flight from Nigeria as proceeds of corruption thereby curbing it.
Q: Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was among leaders that immediately congratulated Trump and sought ways by which Nigeria and America could work together. Till date, there is no official acknowledgment of Nigeria’s letter. Why do you think it is so?
A: There has been some controversies on the relationship between President Buhari’s government and Obama’s and mutual support for each other in immediate past general elections in both countries. So it could be an offshoot of that but not quite sure.
Q:How can President Buhari learn practically from Trump’s successful business model?
A: That is a very difficult question to answer because both have different orientation and I do not think the cabinet as presently constituted possesses the capacity to adapt.
Q:There are plans by Trump to deport two to three million undocumented immigrants,many of which are from Africa, Nigeria inclusive. What plans do you think Buhari’s administration should put in place to effectively manage these-to-be-deported Nigerians to guard against National Security Question?
A: We already have a national security situation with the a very bad and worsening economy, joblessness for which we are not yet feeling the impact of anything being done; so the deportation can only make things worse. The only advantage one envisages is that it will push the people by their numbers to demand ‘genuine change’.
Q: Why do you think Nigerians, Africans and Mexicans would risk their lives in traveling to United States without having the necessary valid papers?
A: It is a desire to run away from the hardship and hopelessness back home. The desire to achieve the ‘American dream’ which has proven very elusive in recent times.
Q: What plans do you think Nigeria’s National Orientation Agency, NOA should have in place to synthesize Nigerians against illegal immigration?
A: I do not know of any plans. The NOA is one agency we are wondering if it still exists.
Q: Can you take us through the highpoint of your Nollywood career?
A: Well my high points were with my first appearance in a movie (CIRCLE OF DOOM), haven risen to the pinnacle of my modeling carrier and being on NTA network drama series; my first big break as an actor of note with the film ‘DEAD END’; my first film as a producer, ‘THORNS OF ROSE’ featuring Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde as teen actor; my biggest competitive Award (AMAA) in 2008 for best actor in a supporting role and competitive Awards as a producer (Terracotta Awards) for my best selling TV series; CROSSED ROAD and COMFORT ZONE.
Q: Do you have other plans on-going to feature in Hollywood industry?
A: Not in the immediate. I want to consolidate my position in Africa first and if in doing that I get invited to a Hollywood feature, why not.
Q: Which are some of your best movies ever acted and produced?
A: I will say DEAD END, AMINA and CHECKPOINT (which got me the AMAA) as an actor and THORNS OF ROSE as a Producer.
Q: In what ways can Nollywood industry campaign against corruption in Nigeria?
A: We are doing that already but can be furthered to far reaching levels by commissioned collaborations with government international donor agencies.
Q: Is there any financial assistance or grant the Buhari government is making available to Nollywood to help rebrand Nigeria Abroad?
A: None that I know of. Maybe one will be instituted with the ‘CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME’ campaign.
Q: What message do you have for your fans worldwide?
A: I want them to know I love and appreciate them greatly and also thank them for their support of my brand.
