For pretty Nollywood actress, Meg Otanwa, leaving her banking job in Tunisia to pursue a career in movie is one of the greatest steps she has ever taken in life.
In an encounter with The Point, Otanwa says that she is now exactly where God has designed her to be.
“I have never regretted quitting my job for acting. And my parents realised that one constant thing in life is change. So, it was not a question of certainty versus uncertainty but fulfilling my life’s purpose and doing what makes one happy. If acting had failed me, I would have continued to try until I succeed. That’s the key to success in anything.”
According to the Benue State indigene, gaining recognition in Nollywood was a gradual process. But she notes that happiness for her is the gratification she gets from the work of her hands. She has never perceived money as a source of happiness.
Otanwa states that every role she has had to play came with different challenges. To her, as long as one is not playing him or herself, one has to basically exemplify different characters, which in itself is challenging.
She shares, “The degree of challenge varies, depending on the depth of the role and project. Of all my projects so far, MNET’s telenovela, titled, ‘Hush’ is my biggest production and the one close to it will be the series, ‘Before 30,’ by Nemsia Studios.”
While speaking of her uniqueness, the actress who starred in the vastly celebrated Kunle Afolayan’s ‘October 1’ maintains that there are no two humans on the surface of the earth. And that, according to her, makes everyone unique and wonderfully made in different ways.
“My life journeys and experiences are unique to me and me alone; that makes me different.
“But generally, it is an amazing time for women in Nollywood and I am extremely proud of how far we’ve come. Today, we have women who can go shoulder to shoulder with men in every section of the industries. We have female directors like the late Amaka Igwe, Mildred Okwo, Chinenze Ayene, Blessing Egbe, Tope Oshin and producers like Emem Isong, Stephanie Okereke and Omoni Oboli. I am so proud of them all,” she explains.
Has she ever been in a relationship where she gave everything, but got little or nothing? Otanwa answers philosophically. “No one goes into a relationship expecting not to benefit anything from it. Regardless of whatever one faces in a relationship, however, time heals all wounds.”
She has had her fair share with male fans who want more. But the fans have also respected her stance or decision.
“There are loads of women out there and I am sure everyman can find the person who suits them.
“The craziest thing a fan did to me was from a lady, not even a man. She held me up because her mum was a huge fan of mine. She basically held me hostage till her mum showed up. It was a hilarious experience.”
