Since his lucky break into the spotlight, actor Uche Maduagwu, has continued to unsettle many celebrities in and outside the country with his jabs and prophesies.
Speaking with Sunday Scoop recently, Uche opened up on his career, prophesies and more.
How did your journey into entertainment begin?
I thought I was going to be a very big singer but here we are today, I’m an actor. I used to sing R & B back in the days.
Which university did you attend?
I graduated from the Ebonyi State University where I studied Sociology.
How long have you been in the industry?
I have spent over four years in Nollywood. I often tell people that nobody can make you a star. I always had that at the back of my mind even when I went for auditions and they picked other people. It is only God that can make a star or make you popular and that’s what most people don’t know.
You usually make prophecies online, and some people think they are jokes. Are you some kind of prophet or pastor?
It is not a joke, it’s very real. I have the gift of prophecy and when I say anything, it has to be like that. I’m a very prayerful person.
Which notable things have you predicted that came to pass because you have also said many things that didn’t happen?
Let me just start from the most recent one. I gave a prophecy that Nigeria would qualify for the World Cup. I told the Minister of Sports that Nigeria would qualify, but most people didn’t believe it. Even when I told Mikel Obi before the game that they would win by one goal, he laughed over it. At the end of the day, Nigeria won the game.
Which other instances can you mention?
There are so many of them. Long before Banky W proposed to Adesuwa, I told people that Banky W would marry an actress. If you follow my posts on social media, you would know that I usually call Adesuwa my daughter. I told Banky W that he would marry someone who will be his soul mate. I told him he was going to marry Adesuwa, and today, they are together. I also told Mercy Johnson that she was going to get a government appointment, and it happened just like I said.
You recently wrote on Instagram that broadcaster, Gbemi Olagbegi, can no longer afford to be selective when it comes to settling down with a man because of her age. Don’t you think that was too harsh?
The truth is very bitter.We live in a part of the world where people don’t like to be told the truth. If tomorrow, she invites me to her wedding, I will go and even congratulate her.
A lot of people think you do things like that to draw attention to yourself. Is that true?
What kind of attention am I looking for that I have not already gotten? I am popular. There is no Nigerian actor that has had an A-list American celebrity comment on their post. For a celebrity to comment on your posts, it means you are important.
Who was the American celebrity that commented on your page?
It was John Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen. She has over 13 million followers; so, it is not a fluke.
You are yet to get any endorsement deal, neither have you featured in any major Nigerian movie. Doesn’t that contradict your claim of being the biggest actor in Nigeria?
The problem with Nigerians is that they like shooting substandard movies, and I always tell people that it’s not about how many of such movies you do. If you check the acting skills of most of these actors, it is on zero level.They are the ones spoiling this country. They keep parading half-baked actors, and that is why our movies don’t win international awards. People that are supposed to be mechanics and taxi drivers, you use them as actors and turn them to celebrities. I would rather go to the cinema to watch Yoruba films, than to watch any of these so-called I better pass my neighbour cinema movies where they act nonsense.
How about endorsement deals?
I have been getting some endorsement deals, but I have to look for the ones that suit my personality. I cannot endorse people who are nobodies.International endorsement is what I am looking for.
Some people say you comment on issues that don’t even concern you because you are not busy enough. What do you have to say about that?
I don’t know who, in this world, is busier than Donald Trump. Yet, he often makes comments on Twitter. Are you then telling me that Trump is a jobless man? People need to grow up. These platforms are means of communication by which we can reach the rest of the world.
You seem to always wear just one particular shirt. Is that the only cloth you have?
By the grace of God, we are going to auction that shirt in Las Vegas next year. It is one of the ‘biggest’ shirts in Africa right now; it is priceless. Anybody that wears that shirt becomes somebody important. I am going to make duplicates of that shirt because it is my trademark.
Apart from entertainment, are you involved in any other business?
I am a business mogul.Being in the entertainment business alone is big enough, and acting is just a part of it. I host events, and sometimes if I am not in Lagos, I would be in Abuja to host events. I also travel outside the country to help companies grow. I package events as well; so, I am a consultant. I do many things basically.
Have you had any physical interactions with any of the actresses you talk about on the Internet?
Most of them call me uncle. They kneel down to greet me because they respect me.They do it mostly when I am in Asaba to shoot movies, and they are very big artistes
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
