After winning the just concluded Big Brother Niaja, Efe Ejeba has become the next ‘Cinderella’ of the Nigerian entertainment industry. In this interview with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, he speaks on his experience in the house, lessons, relationship with Marvis and winning the show.
What were you doing before Big Brother?
I graduated in March 2015 and I moved to Lagos a week later or so. I have always loved music, but I went to school because the society wants you to have an education and it is the joy of a mother. As I finished school, I can give her the certificate and continue my music career.
Like I said, I moved to Lagos immediately I finished school. I was not patient enough to wait for six months to get my call up later.
When I got to Lagos, a friend, Victor, accommodated me for 10 days. I just realised I did not talk about him in the house and it pains me because he tried for me. I did some performances in Lagos. I went to some shows with the aim of performing, but they bounced me. I have done many things just to get going.
How did you know about Big Brother?
In 2015, after graduating, my mother said I must do my National Youth Service Corps and I did it in Anambra State. I was a teacher in a secondary school.
After service in October 2016, I was jobless. It was just all about staying at home, going to the studio and shows. When I saw the advert of Big Brother, I told my brother I would like to go even though I felt they were looking for people with rich backgrounds.
Did you follow past editions ?
I did not really follow it. I was afraid to say it in the house because I felt that people might be angry. But it is not my fault; we do not have cable at home. They show Big Brother on DSTV, or maybe GOTV too, which is cheaper. I have only seen it on YouTube or little on blogs. I did not know how the whole thing would go. For instance, I did not know that the first task was to pick a head of the house.
Before the show, I did not know much about Big Brother and fortunately it was also my first audition for the show. I heard that some people have been going for auditions for 10 to 15 years.
Did you have a plan going into the house?
I just wanted to live my life as I am now. When I was emotional, people knew and people knew when I was happy too. There was no strategy; I went in with everything that makes Efe.
Though everyone thought I was humble, I frankly do not know why they thought so. To me, I was not humble. I was myself in the house and I even felt I was a bit arrogant. How people saw the humility in me, I cannot tell but I think I would accept it like that.
Did you really want to kiss Marvis?
That was what I wanted to do. We knew we were in the house and needed to be serious. I respect women a lot. I like her in the house, but I have always said it would remain within the house since she has a boyfriend. I thought it was a lie, but when she told me she seriously had a boyfriend, I was cool.
If my girlfriend leaves me after a reality show, I would not be happy about it.
Do you plan to reach out to Marvis?
No, I do not plan
Is it true that you liked Debbie Rise at some point?
When she came to the house, I was the head of the house and it was my duty to make her feel comfortable. In the house, they said I needed to improve on my relationship with people so I tried to be nice. But she took the vibe on a different level.
Would you be changing your friends?
My friends are here with me. What is the joy in success when people around you are not feeling it? Alone with the car and money, how do you want me to enjoy it? I have the extended family I need to reach out to; the people here are the nuclear family. Even though I cannot reach out to everyone financially, I can always talk to them. With my story, people now know they do not need to know anyone to achieve greatness. My three secrets are God, believe in yourself and work hard.
Did you miss anyone while you were in the house?
I missed my guys. I missed my elder brother and my family.
What does ‘Warri no dey carry last’ really mean?
If you are from Warri and they tell you ‘Warri no dey carry last,’ it means you need to put in your best. Even though the best is not good enough at the end of the day, you should not give up without a fight. ‘Warri no dey carry last’ makes one work harder, but I did not start it.
Did you really introduce the word, ‘based on logistics’?
I suspect you want to cause controversies. They’ve said different things online. I do not know how to convince you that it is original to me. It came into existence in 2013 when I went for ‘Just Bring It On’ reality show organised by Kelvin Pam Chuwang, the winner of Big Brother Africa 2009. I won the reality show and was awarded N300, 000.
During the show, they were having logistics issues while setting us up because we also stayed for two weeks in the house. Each time Pam came, he would say they were having logistics problems. So, before he said anything, I would tell my housemates that this matter was based on logistics.
Why did you cry when your brother visited you?
I am a street boy; I hardly cried. But when I saw him, I became emotional. I was happy because God took me to South Africa and still brought my brother there too. It showed that things have changed and I am blessed. He is into business and he does not compromise it for anything. But he told me when he visited that he had left the business for my sake. I did not know it was crazy out there. I asked for my mother too and he told me how she was happy and thanking God for me. When an issue warrants me to cry, I would cry because I am human too.
I am a street boy; I hardly cried. But when i saw him, i became emotional. I was happy because God took me to South Africa and still brought my brother there too
Have you spoken with your mom?
Yes, I have. When I spoke to her, she was just shouting Efemena…
Do you have a girlfriend?
No, I do not. My priorities are different. I am a different being; I am not easily moved by women.
What lessons did you take from the show?
First, it is being tolerant. There were certain characters I found unacceptable in the house. But I realised that some people are good but still have bad characters. So, I learnt to compromise and to live with them. That is what we really need as Nigerians.
I am truly grateful and I appreciate what everyone did for me. The support was overwhelming and I cannot repay everyone. The only way I can repay people is not to disappoint them and see how I can carry people along. Those I can meet one-on-one, I would meet them. I am ready to have pictures with anyone who approaches me; I am not tired.
Who irritated you mostly in the house?
It was TBoss.
Who was your crush?
Marvis, of course.
