– The veteran actor disclosed how he got educated within 6 months
– He also talks about his knowledge of Ifa
– From a houseboy to a movie star Jimoh Aliu shares his road to stardom
Chief Jimoh Aliu
Can this be possible? Veteran Nollywood actor said it is possible. Chief Jimoh Aliu is a respected classical theater arts practitioner with interest in the life of the community and its cultural heritage as well as commentator of Nigeria culture abroad. He forms a bridge between the old and the new generation. In this chat he revealed why he did not go to school and his believe in Ifa.
Talking of his growing up days, he said:
I grew up in Okemesi Ekiti. I was a rascally boy; I would leave home for days following Egungun masquerades because I used to enjoy their dance steps and their costumes. My father would be worried and would not spare the rod whenever I came back home. The punishments did not however stop me from following the Egungun the next time they were out.
What about your education?
I attended St. Peter’s Catholic primary school, Okemesi, Ekiti for only six months. I started and finished school within six months. I had primary, secondary and University education within six months.
How? Was it as a result of your rascality?
No, I was withdrawn from school on health ground. My father, Aliu Fakoya, was a Muslim, and itinerant Ifa priest and diviner. I started school when he was on one of his journeys, but after three months in school, I fell ill and was vomiting blood. When my father came back he divined that if I continued with schooling, I may not live long. That was how I ended western education and my father decided to educate me in the art of divination and the use of herbs. He took me to many towns and places like Ijebu Ode, Ifo, Ota, Odogbolu, Sagamu, Ada and many other places before we finally settled down in Lagos where I learnt bricklaying, tailoring and driving.
When did you develop interest in theater?
All I can say is that the whole thing is in-born. I told you how I used to run away from home and followed egungun and other traditional worshipers. I loved their costumes and dance steps. But I can say that my interest in acting grew when I started watching foreign films in Lagos. Then I would visit Pen cinema at Agege, Casino cinema and Odion Cinema at Ebute Meta as well as Roland house at Idi Oro, Mushin.
As a professional actor, you trained under Akin Ogungbe. How did you meet?
I was a house boy to Alhaji Mubasiru Cole at No. 2, Kelani Street, Mushin. The man was the patron of Akin Ogungbe dancing concert. One day, Ogungbe came to entertain my master and from there I ran away with him. I was the one who advised Ogungbe to turn the dancing concert to a traveling theater. I left the group in 1966 to form Jimoh Aliu concert party. I was based in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State.
You are no longer a regular face in Nigerian Movies. Have you retired from acting?
No, I have not retired, but nowadays, I devote more time to spiritual things. I was trained in the art of divination and the use of herbs. That’s what takes most of my time now.
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