Justus Esiri
In
this interview with GBENGA ADENIJI, musician son of veteran actor,
Justus Esiri, Sidney otherwise called Dr. Sid, speaks about the kind of
father the late artiste was
How did you receive the news of your father’s death?
I was in the studio recording when my
mother called me to say that he was not feeling too well and that she
was taking him to the hospital. By the time I got to the hospital he was
dead.
My father’s death came as a shock to me.
Sometimes, you have to flash back on all the things he should have
done, things he did not do, things he said and what he should not have
said. You recall intimate moments with him which you cannot experience
again. But knowing the kind of father he was, I know he would not be
happy if I continue crying for too long rather than handling the
situation like a man.
My father was a perfectionist. He was a
professional, very strict, loving, creative and caring. My father loved
his family so much. He was also very hard working and hardly took time
to rest. He was always involved in one film production work or the
other. My father often preached that we must do what we have to do at
the right time that it should be done.
How challenging was his funeral considering his status?
His funeral was very expensive. My
father’s burial was not only for his family. It was different from just
gathering the remains of someone in a coffin and burying him. We had to
ensure that the majority of Nigerians were represented at his burial. A
lot of people who have had dealings with him when he was alive were
involved in one way or the other in his burial. The kind of person my
father was demanded that he be buried in an elaborate manner.
He played serious roles in movies as opposed to comical ones. Was he as serious at home as he appeared in movies?
Whenever it was required, he appeared serious at home. He knew when to play with his children and when he should be serious.
Talking about relating with his children, how did he correct any child who misbehaved?
He was a disciplinarian. But he did not
use a whip or the cane on any of his children. I know that any father
who does not have a way of correcting his child is planning to spoil him
or her. Such a child will never know the values of what is right. My
father spanked us once in a while but he counselled us more than
enforcing discipline. You know, as they say, spare the rod and spoil the
child.
Can you recall any time he disciplined you for misbehaving?
My father had his own way of enforcing
discipline but I need to say at this juncture that I am a lot like my
dad. That gives me more advantage to be close to him. I will not discuss
in public whether I once did anything wrong to earn a spank from him.
Did he have any habit or hobby?
My father had a strong love for tea. I
mean any kind of tea for that matter. He was also a big fan of Arsenal.
Most of our family members are supporters of Manchester United. It is
only my elder brother who is a fan of Arsenal like my father.
How did he relax?
My dad loved relaxing either by playing
golf or watching people playing golf. He also watched local and foreign
movies whenever he was not on location. But he watched more of foreign
films because as a perfectionist, he often criticised some of the local
ones when they were not acted to the standard he expected.
Did he have any special food?
He liked starch and Banga soup.
But as he grew older, he had to change his diet to eat more vegetables.
But for most part of his years, he ate starch and Banga soup.
You trained as dentist but you are known more in the entertainment world. Did your father influence your foray into showbiz?
I think so. I have always liked the idea
of people seeing him and appreciating him each time he came to pick me
in school. I was always happy whenever he came to my school then because
people would come around to greet him. Thus, knowing I was his son
earned me some kind of popularity too then. There is something about
genes or genetics. There are some urges you have that you just cannot
compare with any other thing.
Did he encourage you to be a singer?
Initially he did not because he had a
master plan for his children. My father already had an idea of the
courses he wished his children to study. He wanted his children to study
petrochemical engineering, law and medicine. He wanted the disciplines
we chose to cut across all sectors. I have a brother who is a financial
consultant, my younger brother is a geologist and my sister studied
business and law. If one is to look at it from the perspectives of the
courses we studied, I can say that my father got what he wanted in terms
of career planning for his children.
Having studied as a dentist, he felt it
was a good profession. But I dropped the profession to pursue a career
in music. My father studied civil engineering. But he later abandoned it
for acting. But when he saw the passion that I have for music and he
heard many people saying good things about my music to him, he called me
and asked how we could take my music career to the next level. It was
at that point that I got his approval for the path I chose. That was
when he really took time to see what I was doing. I remember that I gave
him a copy of my song. He listened to it, loved what he heard and he
became my greatest fan.
Why did you decide to leave the
Lagos University Teaching Hospital when you could have used the place to
launch your career as a dentist?
I was at the Lagos University Teaching
Hospital for my housemanship and the national youth service. After my
service year, I left the place to manage a night club. I was also one of
the artistes performing in the club. I was making good money on a
weekly basis. Within that period, I got a job at a firm which offered me
N40, 000 monthly. I would work from Monday to Saturday and from 8am to
6pm, I was thinking if I should practice as a dentist or follow my
passion in music. Dentistry is no doubt a respectable profession but it
offers less in terms of money. I thought of how long I would have to
work before saving money to buy a car, build a house and take care of my
family. I decided that since I have my degree and licence to practice
as a dentist, I would give music a shot and if it did not work, I would
fall back to it. It is only to pick up my licence, dust my books and
start practicing. When I opted for music, I reflected on that experience
and the decision I took. That was what made me to title my first album,
Turning Point. I believe it is a turning point from being a dentist to a musician, from a member of a music group to an individual artiste.
What do you miss most about your father?
I miss his wonderful conversations with
me. I miss the reality that I cannot pick up my phone and say, ‘daddy.’ I
know that everybody will die someday but I miss my dad. I would have
wished him to be present at my wedding. He did not have the opportunity
to meet my wife-to-be.
Did he urge you to get marry early?
We did not discuss that. He did not say
that to me personally. It was my mother who was always telling me that I
should settle down. She always said that I should know that I was not
getting younger.
In what ways have you benefitted from your father’s name?
My father’s name has helped me a lot.
His name has really helped me in many ways. At times, when I walked into
a place, someone would say,’ that is Justus Esiri’s son.’ They usually
transfer the love and respect they have for him to me. I will always be
grateful to my father because he left a good name behind.
What are the values you imbibed from him?
I imbibed the values of professionalism
and hard work. My father never believed in cutting corners. He taught us
never to look for cheapest ways to achieve things. I imbibed from him
that one will attain a certain feat because one works hard to achieve
it. That is why in my music, I try to push beyond the limit for the
international audience to appreciate us. He used to tell me that he did
not have all the money in the world but he had a name. He also told me
that he worked hard to build that name and we should endeavour to keep
it. That name is important to me and my siblings. It is our duty to
carry on that name.
What was his favourite mode of dressing?
He did not have any specific mode of dressing. It was either he wore a native attire, shirt or trouser.
How close were you to him?
My dad and I were so telepathic to the
extent that he did not have to say anything to me before I knew what he
wanted me to do. We only had to look at each other. We often did not
need to talk before communication took place. That says so much about
our bond and I find it very special.
What kind of daily schedule did he keep?
He would wake up in the morning and have
his tea. He could have it in the house of a neighbour known as Engineer
Oluwole. They alternate both lunch and dinner in each other’s house.
After that, he would leave for his office and return home or play golf
before coming home. Once home, he would do one or two things and retire
to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment