Eucharia Anunobi, Nigerian actress
What brings you to Cameroon this time?
I have been ministering at a crusade with the Restoration Heights Ministry in Montée Jouvence, Yaounde. I am here to declare the kingdom of God, His power and His glory.
This is a fairly new role for you. All along, the public has only known you as a Nigerian home movie or Nollywood actor.
It is not new as such, except to some Cameroonians. This is not the first time I am preaching the gospel in Cameroon. I was at a crusade in Tiko in the South West Region in 2012 that was attended by over 10,000 people. When you walk in the will of the Lord, He calls you to be His oracle.
When did you take the decision to begin preaching?
You don’t take a decision to preach. When you are called and ordained into an office that gives you the opportunity to preach, you just go ahead. I was ordained on February 5, 2012. A Christian is expected to do the work of God by loving their neighbours as themselves and preaching is just one aspect of such a lifestyle. Helping the needy around you to meet their needs is already ministry.
But you didn’t begin by taking the word of God so serious. What happened?
I don’t know what you mean. No one knows the other life of a star - what they do behind the stage. I took what you call altar call (becoming born again) on March 17, 1997. When you take altar call, it means you are already involved in the work of the Lord. But when you are called out as a pastor, it entails a lot of processes. These processes for me, by the grace of God, started since March 17, 1997. Therefore, what has now become public knowledge about me is something that was prepared in the background for a long time. At the end of the day when I get back home, I spend time worshipping the Lord by reading the Bible and Christian literature, serving in the church, etc in order to beef up my Christian life.
So, it means you are still continuing with acting?
Acting is my source of income. I cannot abandon my career because I have to make a living. Being an actor, just like being a footballer, does not stop you from serving Christ. Christianity is not religion; it is a lifestyle – how you live and treat people, obey the word of God, etc.
Will it then be correct to say you are doing part-time ministry for now?
I am not doing ministry part-time; nobody does it. As long as you are a Christian, you are involved in ministry all the time. For example, greeting and showing love even to those who hate you. Those who claim to be in full-time ministry have businesses and other activities they carry out in order to earn additional income. As long as you don’t read the Bible part-time or pray part-time, and are always canvassing for souls, then, you are in full-time ministry.
Do you have your own ministry?
My ministry is the Gospel God has given me to preach. There are so many things God has commissioned me to do like taking care of orphans and preaching to all manner of people. Ministry means having a particular activity you do in the service of the Lord like singing, cleaning, teaching, etc.
By ministry I mean owning your own church.
I don’t have my own church but I am Associate Pastor in Fresh Oil Ministry in Lagos, Nigeria, which was founded by Apostle Sam Okpe.
Has this new engagement in serving the Lord influenced the type of home movies you now act?
Being a pastor does not stop me from accepting roles. If I don’t continue to act films, it means I will go hungry. However, if there are stories that don’t add value to society, I won’t be part of them. But if they educate and entertain, then, I have no problem, even if it means playing the role of an armed robber, prostitute, etc. This is all about passing on a message to correct things that go wrong in society.
How would you describe your career so far?
I would say I am the favoured child of God. Since 1996 when I joined the movie industry, it’s been success all the way! God has been favourable to me. His grace has been sufficient for me. It’s been awesome!
What are some of the most memorable moments of your career?
I have been blessed ever since I started; always playing leading roles in most movies. It has always been awesome and exciting. There has been no particular time I have had to say that this or that movie was the most exciting. All of them have been absolutely wonderful.
To this day, how many movies have you taken part in?
I have lost count, but I think there are over 300. I am also a stage actor. How do you see the current state of the Nigerian home movie industry? The Nigerian home movie industry is fantastic. We are showcasing our story the way we see it. We educate our people through it and also showcase our culture. The Nigerian home movie industry is awesome and it has come to stay. Some people would say things are not going on well. Maybe this is the case with technical aspects, but improving this requires money. More investors are needed in the industry because it needs money.
How do you see the future of Nollywood?
The future of Nollywood is glorious! The public is yet to see the best of the Nigerian home movie industry. We are currently the third largest movie industry in the world, showcasing Africa the way it is. Nollywood has come to stay! Nobody can stop it!
With such a glorious future, does it mean there are no challenges?
No! One of the challenges we have is that the movies are not selling as they ought to. The avenues for their distribution have not been put in place. For instance, we don’t have many cinema halls in Nigeria today. Cinemas are the best avenues for promoting new movies. In this way, it is easier to keep track of the quality and quantity of what has been produced. This is a big challenge for movie investors and actors.
But the argument in Nigeria appears to be the same like in Cameroon. With the advent of home movies, the cinema-going culture is gradually dying. People now prefer to watch movies at home in families.
Cinemas have closed up in Nigeria because government did not enact laws to protect them. Moreover, investors have not stood their grounds to ensure that cinemas survive. What you fight for is what stands for you. Insecurity was also to blame for the closure of cinemas, but I think with better security now, things should change. There are now more security gadgets in place to checkmate insecurity. If the public clamours for the return of cinemas, I think investors will do something about it.
Are you considering joint projects with Cameroonian actors? The Cameroon home movie industry is still in its infancy.
I am ready to give my counsel to producers and also take acting roles if solicited and as long as they are able to pay my fees. I am available. After all, I have travelled and taken part in movies in distant countries like Germany, USA, England, South Africa, Brazil, etc.
Any last word?
I bless the land of Cameroon and I assure the people that all shall be well. Each time I come to this country, the people are so welcoming. I am most grateful. God bless Cameroon!
