Afeez Ayodeji Savage is a Nigerian actor, mannequin and social media influencer primarily based in Los Angeles, United States. Just lately, he starred in a Nollywood film, 'Gunrege', which made his approach into the hearts of many Yoruba film lovers. On this interview with ROTIMI IGEhe takes us on his journey into appearing, modeling and the way he desires to vary the narrative that portrays the Nigerian lifestyle and faith as inferior to Western tradition.
Inform us about your first reminiscences of life.
I’m a Lagos Island boy who grew up in each Lagos and Ibadan. I had my main schooling in Lagos and my secondary schooling in Ibadan. I graduated from Lead Metropolis College Ibadan the place I studied Mass Communication and Media Expertise.
My childhood was enjoyable, I grew up like some other Nigerian youngster and I skilled combined religions – each Muslim and Christianity. My dad and mom have been initially Muslim, however after I was 10 years previous they turned Christians. Though my childhood was enjoyable, I grew up with the challenges of residing in a Nigerian dwelling. I'm glad I survived and discovered from my expertise. I’m positive this has formed me into the individual I’ve change into at this time.
Seven years in the past, you represented Nigeria on the World Performing Arts Championships and made headlines for profitable each gold and silver medals. Now, in 2022, you’re appearing whereas residing within the US. Take us on that journey and why you selected appearing?
After profitable these medals on the World Performing Arts Championship in Hollywood, USA, I used to be clearly excited by the best way Nigerian cultural values have been being celebrated overseas. I returned to Nigeria and used the experiences gained to mentor secondary college college students who selected the profession a part of the humanities. Nevertheless, I later moved to the US of America to pursue my dream and selected to reside in a rustic that values integrity and onerous work.
My appearing debut within the movie 'Gunrege' began after a humorous dialog with a screenwriter pal of mine. She stated I’ve an attention-grabbing persona and can be a terrific actor. I believed it was only a joke that after two months she informed me she had a script for me.
I’m a really decided individual and when my pal despatched me the script; I took up the problem and entered the set of the movie. Lengthy story brief, the film got here out and the critiques have been excellent. Followers on social media praised how unbelievable my appearing was. My household and associates have been additionally proud.
What impressed your stage identify African God?
That is additionally a really shaggy dog story; I do lots of reside classes on Instagram the place I discuss totally different social points. So on this explicit day I mentioned African historical past and the way distinctive and exquisite our tradition is. In the meantime, my display identify on Instagram was Roman God, a reputation I select as a result of I used to be actually into the Greek gods and the Roman gods on the time.
So whereas the reside session was occurring, somebody left a message in my feedback part saying, “You speak so passionately about African historical past, however your display identify is Roman God.”
So I agreed with the one who I believed was a bit hypocritical and counterproductive to speak about the fantastic thing about African historical past, and my identify on Instagram is Roman God. Since that day I’ve gone forward and adjusted the identify to African God. The God in my identify is definitely a capital G. I consider and settle for that I’m a god and that I’m an extension of my ancestors. That is the assumption in conventional African faith, and I’ve drawn my inspiration from this perception.
I’m not a non secular individual, however many alternative religions around the globe affect my capacity to see myself the best way I do, and it influences me to do the issues I do.
Do you continue to love modeling and why do you take pleasure in health and fitness center a lot?
I take pleasure in modeling and I’m nonetheless concerned in modelling, in truth it impressed me to check health and fitness center. I wish to look good, I wish to really feel good and I’ve to look wholesome each time. This isn’t just for aesthetics, but additionally for my well being. I like to inform everybody that my largest medical health insurance is my meals and my exercise. So wanting good is simply an addition as a mannequin and that helps me have a bonus as a mannequin, however the true aim and drive is to be wholesome.
What are the challenges you face when getting into Nollywood. What are your ideas on Nollywood and the Nigerian modeling trade?
For the time being I’m not experiencing many challenges, as a result of I’m clearly new on this subject. However I hope that sooner or later it will likely be a straightforward transition when it comes to approval and acceptance.
Nevertheless, I’ve observed that Nollywood portrays African tradition in a destructive mild. Whereas rising up and even to this present day, we see such movies. Some Nollywood films make enjoyable of the distinctiveness of Nigerian tradition and this is the reason many younger Nigerians usually are not pleased with their id and roots. Some hate their background, tradition and traditions due to what they’ve seen in Nollywood films.
I consider this has performed a serious function within the lack of our id as African and Nigerian youths. I simply hope that sooner or later the movie trade will put extra effort into altering this and use itself as a software to positively change the narrative.
Inform us about your CSR initiatives. Are you continue to sending donations to younger Nigerian college students?
My CSR initiative known as Savvy assist Initiative and I began it seven years in the past with the purpose of mentoring secondary college college students in Nigeria to inform them how one can attain their full potential whereas going to highschool and in addition pursuing their goals and keenness.
Proper now, now we have a venture the place we go to authorities secondary colleges and provides private hygiene merchandise resembling deodorants, sanitary napkins, tissue paper, cleaning soap and hand sanitizers to feminine college students. We focus extra on the ladies at college, however we even have packages for the boys the place we educate each girls and boys about hygiene and numerous subjects that may assist them develop higher habits.
I additionally donate cash to entrepreneurs who need to begin their enterprise if they’ve a great marketing strategy that they will defend. I name that, “Are you bankable?” It has been operating for nearly a 12 months now and now we have distributed over six million naira to individuals to start out their companies.
I get funding from associates who need to assist. We give the donations with out prejudice or emotions to deserving candidates.
What are the initiatives you’re at present engaged on?
So far as appearing is anxious, I’ve about seven scripts from totally different producers and I look by way of them to determine which one to play as a result of not each function that’s thrown at me I’ll settle for.
I even have a clothes line known as 'African God' cultures. I’m launching the clothes line with the mission to unfold the gorgeous African clothes tradition to the remainder of the world.
For a very long time, Africans have copied Western tradition. I plan to make use of my clothes line to unfold the fantastic thing about African tradition and conventional African gods.
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