5 Nigerian actors that blessed my 90s

 

Sam Dede was one of the best things on TV in the 90s and he joins four other actors in my top 5. (Photo credit: Sam Dede via Instagram)

My childhood was fun and that was down to a lot of things but today, I want to talk about five Nigerian actors that made my 90s what it was.

From the big video player that had us joining video clubs and making friends with just anyone just to exchange or borrow/lend video cassette players, to the sitcoms, theatre, and early days of Africa Magic, these five actors remain special to me for how they kept me buzzing that year.

5. Saint Obi

I can’t remember most of the titles but I can’t forget State of Emergency, it was a movie I saw more than ten times and if I get an opportunity to see it again, I will put my phone on DND to enjoy Saint Obi and the late JT Tom West, not sure I can remember any other actor from the movie but it was dope.

The story was about terrorism and how JT Tom West led a team of wicked armed men to hold Nigerian politicians hostage. It was how they used some technical military terms for me, if you ever saw the movie, balance me in the comment section.

4. Segun Arinze

I’m sure some of my siblings would look at me with a side-eye seeing that I’m saying I like Segun Arinze because I was always attacking him then. The reason is simple, he was always the bad guy and always going after the folks I like but he was the real deal.

It’s a no-brainer that it’s Black Arrow that comes to mind but his forays into the Yoruba sect also made me like him more. GSM money comes to mind where the weyreh disguised like an investor to raid the bank, it was a movie and a half… Did you ever see it?

3. Sam Dede

Seeing Sam Dede in Brotherhood warmed my heart and the veteran brought his A-game as usual as he’s been doing for decades. I know Isakaba is the general go-to as the movie that comes to mind when this name is mentioned but he was a huge part of my 90s movie era.

His poise, acting, delivery, and voice always got me wanting to act then; I was quite prone to influence then and it’s understandable, it was the age where every new toy got attention so I won’t beat myself but hats off to Sam Dede… Great guy by all standards even till tomorrow.

2. Richard Mofe Damijo

I was going to leave this god of the screen out of my list but I imagined if I was writing about actresses that blessed my 90s and I realized every single one of them had unforgettable scenes with this man, no way I’ll leave him out and I am not even speaking to Checkmate.

Diamond Ring was the movie that got me stuck on RMD, I can see him in lots of blockbursters but I can’t remember their titles; RMD is the real deal and how he remained classy through the years should be studied by these new actors that are disturbing Instagram with their hungry followers.

1.       Taiwo Hassan Ogogo

I’d be lying if I did any list and this guy doesn’t top it. Ask around, he was the only reason I ever got interested in any Yoruba movie way back. Certified lover boy that year from looks, to his carriage and everything those women lust after, Ogogo was my man.

I lost touch and complete interest in him long ago but I can’t deny how he made me feel when I was growing up. I used to argue with a family friend and big brother (Dotun Davids) who always preferred the other guy (Yinka Quadri) and while in hindsight, I agree with him that the latter is a more complete actor, Ogogo will forever be a more lovable than him, however, lack of education limited the two.

Who were the actors that ran the shows for you in the 90s? err… Joy, Sarah, and Co. can sit this one out, they can’t relate because we’re not talking about Efa Iwara and the ones that came just yesterday. Thank you.