Veteran Nollywood filmmaker and seasoned journalist, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, has announced plans to celebrate his 60 years on stage with a series of events, including the premiere of his latest film titled “Her Excellency”, scheduled for June 29, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference, the iconic actor expressed gratitude to God for sustaining his relevance in the Nigerian film industry over the decades adding. “It’s only by God and grace that I’m still here. To stay relevant in any career, one must not remain static, you must evolve and move with the times.”
Salami, who began his acting journey under the mentorship of the legendary Adeyemi Afolayan, also known as Ade Love, emphasised the importance of proper learning for anyone seeking success in any field.
“I learnt the practical aspect of acting from Ade Love. If you want to do something, you must learn it well,” he stated.
Reflecting on his family and fatherhood, the celebrated actor revealed that he never pressured any of his children to follow in his footsteps explaining, “I have never, at any point, wished that my children would take after me. I never dictated their career paths. Femi and his siblings loved acting from the beginning, but I insisted they could only join me if they had good academic results.”
Salami also opened up about his personal struggles with education, noting that lack of support from his parents hindered his academic pursuit.
However, he vowed to change the narrative for his children stating, “I’m very passionate about education. I didn’t get the support I needed, but I made it a mission to ensure all my children were educated. Even as a polygamist, I resolved not to focus on material inheritance. I told myself all I need are two houses, one in Lagos and one in my hometown. Whatever they find in my account after I’m gone is theirs to share.”
On his current status in the industry, Salami admitted that age has limited the kind of roles he accepts, but he continues to learn from younger talents, including his son, Femi Adebayo. “I’m still learning from Femi. He’s doing great things in the industry, and I’m proud of him.”
The premiere of “Her Excellency” will be a major highlight of the diamond jubilee celebration, marking a remarkable journey in a career that has helped shape Nollywood into a global brand.
