Nigeria’s
celebrated veteran actor of many years standing and a National Honour Awardee,
Justus Esiri has been in the Uk for the past one month as part of a crew of a
touring star studded Nigeria Nollywood actors that includes Olu and Joke
Jacobs,Segun Arinze,Bimbo Akintola,Keppy Ekpeyong and other notable stars .
They
are in London to perform some stage plays across Europe, one of which is the
famous THE KING MUST DANCE NAKED being performed at the over 100 years old
Royal Theatre at Stratford, London directly opposite the 2012 Olympic Park Here
in London .
During
the week, CKN Nigeria break the news of the theft of Justus Esiri’s belongings
at his hotel room (Travelodge in Surry) here in London alongside former
President of Actors Guild Of Nigeria Segun Arinze.
We
decided to have a one on one first hand chat with the father of one Nigeria’s
most popular HIP HOP Star Dr SID on his role as a veteran actor on the robbery
incident, when he will quit the stage and other issues.
The
Interview (his first with any media outfit after the incident) was conducted at
the Centurion ROYAL THEATRE at STRATFORD London.
CKN
Nigeria: Sorry Sir for waking you up this early
morning
Justus
Esiri:No problem CKN Nigeria,I am an early
riser.
CKN
Nigeria:How did you feel sir when you entered your
room at Travelodge in Surrey Uk ,only to realize that your whole belongings
including your money ,Passport, clothes and travel documents have been stolen.
Justus
Esiri:I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it,
because I was not expecting such to happen in a secured hotel like this with
the type of Key I was given and also in the heart of the United Kingdom.
I was transfixed to a spot for several
minutes short of words.
CKN
Nigeria:So what did you do ,when you discovered
the missing items?
Justus
Esiri:I quickly alerted the management of the
hotel..We had three keys to the room, one with me,the other with the manager
and the third with the Polish female house cleaner.
CKN
Nigeria: What happened thereafter?
Justus
Esiri:They searched the entire place and the invited
the Police who took details of the missing items and did a forensic search of
the place but nothing was found.
The next day, another Police man came and
took other information but till now, nothing has been found.
CKN
Nigeria:You Must have been devastated?
Justus
Esiri:To Say I was devastated was an understatement,
because I found it quite difficult to believe that in this modern age and technology,
the hotel did not have CCTV cameras on
its corridors to detect movements.
The thief (ves) could have been caught on camera
if they had a CCTV. They probably took advantage of those lapses to perpetuate
the crime.
The second aspect of it was that, I was
also shocked that they could employ a Polish girl as a cleaner who has been
living In the UK for two years and she does not understand English language.
That was strange. The whole thing still looks like a movie to me.
CKN
Nigeria:Whats you next line of action?
Justice
Esiri:I have learnt my lesson. Next time I ll carry
my passport with me where ever I go I will also get these small bags that all
of you are carrying around here in London .I found it difficult to believe someone
could enter a secured hotel room and make away with a bag of over 10kg.
CKN
Nigeria: We learnt,the Nigeria High Commission
Here In London Has issued you another Passport
Justus
Esiri:That’s true, the High Commission here in
London has been most helpful. On self recognition and based on my National
Honour of the Officer Of The Order of the Niger (OON)..The Commission issued me
with another passport, but I am now left bare with nothing.
CKN
Nigeria:Now to what brought you to UK,How has the
experience on Stage been Here?
Justus
Esiri: It’s been most wonderful especially
performing at a stage like that of the ROYAL THEATRE at STRATFORD that is over
100 years old. It gives one a sense of fulfillment. It was also an avenue to
showcase the best of Nigeria. It has been a success story. As you can see (as
we took a tour of the three layers theatre), the ambiance is good and everyone
that has been here so far feel so happy about the plays. We are performing THE KING MUST DANCE NAKED By Fred
Agbeyegbe tonight (Friday 3rd August) and tomorrow Saturday 4th
August before finally heading back to Nigeria.
CKN
Nigeria: You ‘ve been in the industry for over 30
years, how do you feel about that?
Justus
Esiri: The experience has been fulfilling. I
thank God for using me to impact on the lives. I also appreciate the fact that
people like what we are doing, and feel happy about it.
Once the audience feels happy in what you do,
that’s the greatest joy. We also strive at every given time to make sure that
you give your best at all times.
Moreso,I was also given a National Award .I
have no single regret taking up the profession that has brought me fame and
honour. To God be all the glory
CKN
Nigeria: Finally Sir, when will you be retiring?
Justus
Esiri: With a prolong laughter (looking me
straight in the eyes)...CKN, you don’t retire as an artiste. You can only
retire at God’s appointed time and when that will be, I don’t know yet.
CKN
Nigeria: Thank you sir for spending such quality
time with us.
Justus
Esiri: Thanks my brother. I have heard so much
about your page and how popular it is especially with Nigerians in the dispora,as
you can see, look at the number of people waiting to talk with you .You guys
should keep up the flag and continue to make Nigeria proud. God bless….CKN