Actor Segun Arinze has revealed that he and his colleague Emeka Ike resolved their differences a long time ago.
The 59-year-old made this known during an interview with QED.ng publisher Olumide Iyanda, where he also spoke about being stereotyped in movie roles.
When asked if he was still being typecast in “bad boy” roles or if things had changed, he responded, “It has changed. I am coming into my own to prove that I am an actor and this is what I live for.
“Now you know that I can play different roles. I hate being a stereotype. It kills off the actor. I don’t like stereotypes; I don’t like it. It never works for me. It may work for other actors, but for me, I don’t like being a stereotype. I like to see myself evolve in different roles.”
He cited actors like Olu Jacobs, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Ramsey Nouah as examples of those who have successfully avoided typecasting.
He also noted that after being cast in “bad boy” roles for a long time, he was later stereotyped as a police officer, then a soldier.
“Of late, they started doing police, then soldier, then air force. I really don’t want to be stereotyped,” he said.
On competition in the movie industry, Segun said, “There is no need for competition. The sky is big enough for the birds to fly. When I see my colleagues doing well, I am genuinely happy for them.
“You can’t play all the roles, can you? Can you be everywhere at the same time? When my colleagues win awards, I am happy for them.
“Why do you want to compete? Competition brings bad blood. It’s always teamwork, like footballers on a field.”
Addressing his past conflict with Emeka Ike, Segun said, “Emeka Ike is a fine actor. We still talk; we laugh about those things. It doesn’t change the fact that he is a fine actor.”
He added, “The conflict ended naturally. We were not quarrelling. It was just about the position. That’s why I left the position. He also had other things to do.
“Then time and chance happened. And we are growing old. He is my friend, and we are cool. I’ve asked him, whenever he is around, let’s go for lunch or dinner.
“What are we having enemies for? The work I am doing is enough burden. Hate is a burden. Travel light. How long do you have to live in the world? You want to carry it on your shoulders? What do I need that animosity for?”
Emeka Ike and Segun Arinze, both notable figures in Nollywood, were once embroiled in a leadership tussle within the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).
Emeka challenged Segun’s leadership of AGN in 2009, shortly after the latter’s emergence as president.
In 2011, Emeka intensified his efforts by securing a court injunction to halt the guild’s general elections organised by Segun, deeming the process that brought his rival into power illegitimate.
Segun resigned as president in early May 2012, following a botched election in Benin City on April 28, 2012.
In his resignation letter, he stated that his tenure had officially ended in December 2011, but he remained in office to oversee a successful transition through a free and fair election.
