I am Not in Sex Toy Business – Bisi Ibidapo-Obe

The beautiful Nollywood actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe (a.k.a Bisi Omo Logbalogba) has confided to people that she’s found new love who she’s ready to spend her life with after her controversial romance with a Kogi born federal lawmaker, Hon. Dino Melaye has crashed. Although she denied dealing in sex toys, the Ilesha born famous mediocre actress opens up to ENCOMIUM Weekly in this interview on her new outfit, Bio-Lingerie business including body spray, perfumes and vibrators, and more...

Excerpts:

What’s happening to your career at the moment?

For now, I am moving forward. One is not meant to remain in one spot.  The best is happening to my career right now.  Also, my business is running smoothly.  I give thanks to Almighty God.

How would you assess the industry right now?

Everything is moving fine.  From where it started to where it is now, there is every reason for us to thank God.  The only thing we need is co-operation, no matter where you belong.

Many associations have emerged now in the industry, especially the Yoruba sector.  Which do you belong to and what do you see to that?

There is nothing wrong in that.  But what’s important is to see ourselves as friends.  It’s then the industry can move forward.

Where do you belong now, Association of Nigeria Theatre Art Practitioners (ANTP), The Movie Ambassadors (TMA) or Theatre and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPPAN)?

I still belong to ANTP.  I don’t belong to TAMPPAN or TMA, but I can’t blame anybody for belonging to any of these new associations.  They all have their reasons for choosing where they like to be identified with.  Also, those who formed the new associations have their reasons for establishing them.  Personally, I don’t have any grudge against any of them.  Most of the members of each of the associations are my friends.  Even, a lot of them still belong to ANTP.  Left to me, all I want in the industry is progress irrespective of the association you belong to.  I remain a member of ANTP because everything I have achieved was through ANTP.  I travelled to so many places outside the shores of this country, all because I am a member of ANTP.  But above all, God has been my pillar of support since I started out as an actress.

How many years have you put into your career?

I have been in the industry for 20 years.  And since then, I have not looked back.

How many movies have you produced so far in the 20 years you have been acting?

I have only produced three movies. The first one was Oyin Ade, that’s 2004.  The second one, Omo Jesu and the third Igboran san.

Why just three movies since all these years?

I am not the type that likes rushing things.  My aim is always do something better than the previous one.  I like spending money on my movie.  It takes about three years before I release my movies because before the movie is released, I might have taken it round the world and recouped the money I spent on it.  I always like producing movies that make a difference in the industry.  The same thing applies to acting, I mean featuring in other people’s movies.  I always take my time. I don’t just accept scripts any more.  May be that’s why you don’t see me in movies any how again.  If I should feature in any movie, it must surely be worth it.

20 years is not a joke, how would you describe the experience so far?

So far, so good. I thank God for His mercies.  I thank Him for where I started from and where I am today.  The journey may not be that smooth but there is room for one to give thanks to Almighty God. I am proud to be an actress because God has blessed my career wonderfully.  I thank Him for that.  And I am grateful to all my bosses for the training and encouragement they gave me.  I am a product of Odunfa, and I am proud of the caucus.

What level do you still want to take acting to?

I am still aiming higher.  Above all, I need long life, sound health and peace. If all these are guaranteed in one’s life, there is hope of going higher and higher in one’s career.

What would you say you have achieved in the last 20 years?

A lot.  With the help of the profession, I have been to many western countries and received awards including the UK, USA, Canada and others. I have been celebrated in many places, home and abroad.  That alone, is a big achievement. I am happy that people recognized me even beyond the shores of Nigeria.  Not the material aspect that matters but the fame and accolades the career has earned me. But I will continue to say it, all that I have achieved in terms of materials or otherwise, have been through acting and above all, God.

Would you say there was a step you took that you’re still regretting till date?

Nothing like that at all.

Including your past relationships?

Not at all.

We have heard and read about your sex toy business…

(Cuts in) Don’t call it sex toy business at all. I don’t really do sex toy stuff.

Okay, what exactly do you deal in in your new outfit, BIO-Lingerie?

We sell men and women underwears.  Then, we also do body polish and massage.  We sell body cream, sprays, perfumes and towels.  We also have another section for babies that are between one and 15 years.

But why are the people mistaking it for sex toy business?

That I don’t know.  It’s not a new thing that some people don’t want another person’s progress for reasons best known to them.  What they are only interested in is destructive criticism.

But they said you’re selling vibrators and a lot of people are patronizing you?

Yes, I sell vibrators but that’s not what I concentrate on.  That’s just an integral part of my business.  The problem we have in this country is that of poor mentality.  Those who use vibrators are not prostitutes as against the public impression about them.  Such things are used in many places in the world.

When exactly was your outfit commissioned?

The place was opened on Sunday, May 18, 2014.

Where is it exactly?

It’s inside the Divine Grace Plaza, Emmanuel Keshi Street, Magodo.

How would you describe the patronage since you opened?

It has been so wonderful.  We thank God about that.

Would you say venturing into this business is very lucrative?

Glory be to God.  Even the day it was opened, we recorded large crowd.  So, that shows how profitable the business is.

But there must be a man footing the bill, how true is it?

Everybody knows how hard working I am.  They all know I am a hustler, and I make money from my hustling.  After all, that’s not the only business I run. So, I don’t depend on a man for the sponsorship of my business. But in actual fact, what’s the big deal if at all a man is sponsoring a woman’s business?  It all boils down to people’s reasoning.  In the real sense of it, there is no man behind my business except God who has been with me all this while.

But the tale is that you have found a new love, months after your crashed relationship with former Kogi lawmaker, Hon. Dino Melaye.  How true is it?

First, I don’t want to talk about Dino Melaye issue.  But what’s important is that I have moved on.  Very soon, I will settle down with the man to spend the rest of my life with him.

That means it’s true there is a man rocking your world at the moment?

Yes, of course.

Can you unveil his identity?

I can’t do that for now.  When it’s time, you will surely know him. But one thing that’s certain is that I have moved on.

What about your daughter, Destiny Okikiola Oluwadarasimi, how is she doing now?

My daughter is fine, kicking and bouncing.  And she is growing in knowledge and wisdom.  I thank God for that.