•Moji Olaiya Photo: Sun News Publishing

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She is definitely a chip off the old block. As the daughter of the legendry highlife musician, Victor Olaiya, the success of Moji Olaiya as a showbiz personality has not taken many by surprise. However, pretty Moji is aiming to surpass her father’s achievements by combining music and acting.

While she has, to a large extent, made herself a household name in the Yoruba movie industry, she is currently planning a strategy that would lead to a repeat performance in music.

For a daughter of an entertainment guru, Moji had a strict and organized childhood that was aimed at giving her and other siblings the best in education.

“My father is a very strict and disciplined man. When we were younger, he would make sure that we go to Church and pray. He also put the fear of God in all of us. It was like, even if our father was not there to see us, God was watching. He did not believe in the cane. He often addressed us with the Bible.”

This kind of upbringing, Moji said would not make her take up roles that are seen to be at variant with the teachings of the holy book. For instance, she said she would not take off her clothes for the Central Bank’s vaults. “I’m sorry I cannot act nude for all the money in the CBN vaults.

If not for the fear of my father, but also for my own personality as a Christian. Secondly, our culture does not permit it. As an African woman, the belief is that you are the way you portray yourself. My culture does not permit me to act nude. That is my dignity as a woman.”

Though Moji Olaiya is a household name among the lovers of Yoruba home video, she started her movie career with Wale Adenuga’s popular television drama, “Super Story” after she introduced by actress Bukky Wright to the crew. “It Wale Adenuga’s production that gave me the first break. I acted the role of Ireti in the edition entitled ‘No Pains No Gains’.
Moji’s performance in the drama was good proof that she has enough genes of the old highlife maestro in her veins.

She would later go on to give a repeat five-star performance in her debut Yoruba movie, entitled “Agunbaniro” (Youth Corper). The performance was enough proof that the “No Pains No Gains” performance was no fluke.

Moji has won several honours both in Nigeria and overseas for her efforts. She had nomination for the 2003 Reel Award as the Best Supporting Actress of the year. She also got the Best New Actress award in another category. All these, she said have acted as motivation for her to aspire for the best in the profession.

Her entrance into the movie industry coincided with the emergence of other equally talented and up-wardly mobile young girls. Much has been said and written about the exploits of this class of girls in the industry.

But the most controversial has been the cases of sexual harassments allegedly meted out to the girls by randy movie producers. “I believe that you’ll do anything when you are too desperate to get something. But the Bible tells us that if God does not build a house, whoever builds it works in vain. These girls try to cut corners because they are in the wrong profession.

They believe that it is easy, the truth, however is that everybody cannot become a star like Fathia Balogun or Moji Olaiya. Most of them fail to realize God’s plans for them. I won’t blame the producer or actor who they say harass them for sex. If the girls had not gone to them for one favour or the other, they wouldn’t be harassed by anybody. But because the men noticed the desperation in them, they try to exploit that loophole to have them.”

Moji explained that the success of the new set of ladies making waves in the Yoruba movie scene is rooted in their education and their background. Education, she boasted, has set them apart from the rest of the team. “I have been able to relate at close range with all the younger generation of actresses. One thing that sets them apart is education and good family background. They are disciplined about their career and what they want from it.”

Though a star in her own right, Moji said the name of her father has opened doors, which seemed impenetrable in the past. “I have had doors opened just like that because I mentioned his name. For instance, whenever I mention my name, people are always willing to offer assistance. I get things that even my own personality would not get easily done when I mention his name.”

A particular experience she had on a recent trip to London would remain with her for a long time. According to her, she thought she was inconsequential on London street until she was mobbed by fans who compared her with Beyonce.

“ I feel proud when people shout my name when I don’t expect to be recognised. I remember an experience I had in London. I was in a neighbourhood around Abbeywood and there were all kinds of people, white and blacks. Suddenly a lady came and started shouting my name. When she was asked who I was, she told them that I am an actress like Beyonce and all that. I felt very proud and excited on that day.”

A single mother of an eight-year-old daughter, Moji said she is a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage. Towards this end, she is putting final touches to plans to make the marital vow in the next few months. “I would be getting married very soon.”

Moji said it was not her fault that she did not marry the father of her daughter. “It was not my fault that we did not marry. I guess we were not just compatible. We were actually planning marriage, but somehow, it didn’t work out. If it was my fault, he won’t see me on the street and say he is proud of my achievements.”

Though Moji is a graduate of Catering and Hotel Management, she has vowed to practice her profession only in her private kitchen. “I have HND certificate in Catering and Hotel Management from the Yaba College of Technology. I have never practiced and I don’t think I would, except in my own kitchen. I am a very good cook though.”