Actress and broadcaster Eyiyemi Rogbinyin has shared her experience working with fellow actress and producer Ego Boyo.
In an interview with QEDNG publisher Olumide Iyanda, Eyiyemi recounted a memorable opportunity that came her way thanks to Ego Boyo.
Ego Boyo, known for producing Nigeria’s first silent film, A Hotel Called Memory, reached out to Eyiyemi with a role offer.
Despite the modest compensation, Ego assured Eyiyemi that she would be well taken care of on set, with all her needs covered.
“She told me, ‘I have a small role for you. The pay isn’t much, but we’ll book you for the day, handle your transport, and make sure you’re well-fed,’” Eyiyemi recalled.
Initially disappointed by the pay, Eyiyemi discussed the offer with her husband, who encouraged her to embrace the experience beyond financial considerations.
“He said, ‘Life isn’t all about money. Why not just enjoy how they want to treat you as an actor?’ That changed my perspective,” Eyiyemi shared.
After this conversation, Eyiyemi agreed to take on the role. Although her part in the film was small, involving a brief scene where she had to sit and cry, the experience was enriching.
She praised the dedication of Ego Boyo’s personal assistant, who ensured all the actors were comfortable throughout the production.
“I even had to tell her to relax because she was going out of her way to make sure everything was perfect,” Eyiyemi recounted.
“She would ask, ‘Do you like the room? If not, we can change it.’ I could definitely get used to that kind of pampering!
“It was a really lovely experience for me,” she said.
“Our director, Akin Omotosho, was stellar! It’s one of my best experiences, and I really treasure the fact that Ego, who might have only seen me on stage once, believed in me enough to give me a part in a groundbreaking film.”
Eyiyemi also mentioned James Omokwe, the director of Itura, as another professional she holds in high regards.
She uses the standards set by Ego Boyo and James Omokwe as benchmarks for future roles.
“They’re fair, thorough, and don’t beat around the bush,” she said.
She added that she always seeks feedback after completing a project to continually improve her craft.
When asked if there’s anyone she would never work with again, Eyiyemi chose not to name names, noting that experiences can differ from one person to another.
“However, on one particular production, all the actors had the same horrible experience,” she disclosed.
“But when you’ve signed a contract, you do your part professionally, no matter what.”
Eyiyemi made it clear that no matter the offer, she would never work with those individuals again.
“Even if they offered me the Eiffel Tower, I wouldn’t work with them,” she concluded.
