Nollywood veteran, Zack Orji, has joined the growing list of celebrities and added his voice to the trending topic, especially ever since President Buhari's speech on how his wife Aisha, belongs to his kitchen, the sitting room and the other room.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Punch newspaper, veretan Nollywood actor, producer and filmmaker, Zachee Ama Orji, popularly known as Zack Orji, has revealed that both men and women are responsible for cleaning and taking care of the home, as he talks about his experiences as a father amongs other issues.
Below are excerpts from the chat;
How do you discipline your children whenever they act up?
I speak to them. I have never found the need to use the rod on any of my children. I count myself very blessed because I have children who respect and love me. They listen to me whenever I talk to them. Even my son, Lionel, when he was studying abroad would call to tell me if he got an invitation to any event. I would only tell him to attend it but to be careful.
Your son is into music. Would it be right to say his interest in the entertainment industry was influenced by you since it is also your industry?
Possibly, but then a lion can only beget a lion. When he completed secondary education, I asked him what he wanted to do and he said ‘media.’ Eventually, he studied Media with Television at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom. He should be going for a master’s degree programme soon.
What legacy do you wish to leave for your children and the society?
I do not know about legacy. But I know that my life, work and lifestyle have influenced many people. I believe that is the essence of living. God created us to impact positively on others; to empower others and make them realise their dreams. Anybody who lived in a way that his or her life did not impact positively on others either knowingly or unknowingly lived a wasted life.
The orji family
What values did you learn from your father which you are passing on to your children?
My father died in 1983. I was in final year in the university at the time. I got my diction and orientation from my father. He was more handsome than I am. He worked with John Holt as a clerk. He was careful about his speech. Most times, he would pronounce some big words and ask us to search for their meanings in the dictionary.
My father was also fashionable in the way he dressed. He would dress and ask us to appraise his dressing. If we dressed in a way he did not like, he would look at the person and say, ‘You dressed like a bush man.’ My father was also a staunch Christian. I have recollections of how he would wake up at night and say warfare prayers. He was also fair-minded and a strict disciplinarian. He also spoke to us using popular sayings such as ‘punctuality is the soul of business.’ All these I imbibed from my father.
Did you assist your wife to do domestic chores before your children became adults?
I did domestic chores and I still do. In fact, my son slept on my chest the day they returned from the hospital. For me, a man should be willing to do housework because it is his house.
I wash the dishes sometimes. It is not about showing love for one’s wife or one’s family. I just believe that since it is my house, it is something I should do. Also, when the children see such a thing, they will endeavour to emulate it. It will become a habit. Sometimes, whenever my children are reading, I will pack my plates myself to the kitchen after eating rather than disturb their reading.
We have no house maids. My children sweep, cook and do other house chores. There are no cut-out roles for my wife or anybody in my house. There is no rule that says my wife must cook or do other things. I wash the toilet sometimes since everything one needs to clean the toilet is there.
What biggest gift have you given your children?
I set target for them that if they pass an examination for example, I will give the person a certain amount. It is a way of encouraging them to remain focused. I must tell you that it has been productive.
How do you cope with female fans?
Being a celebrity does not give one a licence to misbehave. I try to be friends with everyone even when it is not convenient for me. But because of the nature of my work, one can also say I am a public property. I bend over backwards sometimes to be nice to people. The smile one puts on the face of someone might be what the person needs to brighten up for the day. If one denies the person such, he or she may develop resentment which may last for a long time.
Click here to read the full interview on Punch Newspaper.
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