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
Editor:This interview was first published on our page on 3rd August 2012
Tags
Entertainment
If †ђξ pains of his departure, I wonder why nolly wood has to be losing stars like this. May his soul rest I̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊
ReplyDeletePeace
so many atrocities in the industry lesbianism,gay,they want to get to d top through diabolical means , sleeping with different kind of girls by the actors they dont even know the kind of girl they sleep with just cos u are a celebrity men so annoying they need total cleansing and deliverance in the industry may God help us all R.I.P uncle justice
ReplyDeleteThis is a great loss to the Nollywood, Justice Esiri was a great ambassador to the Industry. May his soul rest in peace.
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