Actress Toyin Afolayan popularly known as Lola Idije, has shared emotional and personal revelations about her life, from the painful loss of her only son to how she unexpectedly found herself in Nollywood.
Speaking in an interview on Talk2dunnis TV, Lola recounted how her son’s sudden death remains one of the most difficult experiences of her life.
She admitted that seeing his friends always brings back painful memories.
“I lost my only son to a sudden death, and I always cry whenever I see his friends. I thank God that I also have female children, but the boy was my only son.
“Some of my daughters have gotten married, and they are now giving birth to male children. God is very wonderful, and I appreciate everything he has done so far in my life because life comes with good and bad moments,” she said.
Reflecting on her career, Lola Idije revealed that acting was never in her plans.
She initially dreamed of becoming a businesswoman, but fate had other ideas.
“My dream when I was younger was to become a businesswoman. I loved doing business so much that if someone had prophesied to me that I would become an actress, I would have dismissed it as false because I never really considered it a career path for myself,” she shared.
The turning point came through her elder brother, the legendary filmmaker Ade Love, who saw potential in her even when she didn’t.
“Most of the time, when my elder brother, Ade Love, was shooting on set, I would go to the location just to eat free food, chat with the other actors, and then return home.
“However, I don’t know what my elder brother saw in me that made him insist I would become an actress. Despite arguing with him, his decision was always final because he was respected by everyone in the family, including our mother.”
Beyond her career and personal losses, the actress also spoke about why she has chosen to remain single.
“Those who are coming to toast me are making a big mistake because they only want to benefit from what I have. Some men come to toast me because I’m popular, but I can’t date a man anymore.
“My only priority at the moment is my children, and I want to see them giving birth to grandchildren that will call me their grandmother,” she stated.
Lola is well known for her roles in movies like, My Mum My Wife, Ija Oku Orun, Ija Inu, Aya Oba and Baddie of Lay Lay 2.
