ENTERTAINMENT
‘ I Was A Shoe Maker In Idumota For A Long Time’— Actor, Sanyeri Shares His Touching Story On Road To Stardom
Yoruba actor, Olaniyi Mikail Afonja popularly known as Sanyeri has opened up on his struggles and hardship before hitting stardom.
According to him, his journey to stardom has not been an easy one, citing that he had to live a rough life before rewarding opportunities came his way.
Sanyeri who stated that he found it difficult to make a living after finishing secondary school, resorted to learning how to become a cobbler.
He also revealed that His participation in acting in Oyo State did not give him the sort of reward he anticipated. Even after relocating to Lagos, his situation remained the same.
“The suffering I endured was really extreme. After I finished my secondary school education, I did not have a job so I delved into the theatre world. I did it for some time but I was not being paid even when I went everywhere with the group and was helping them carry their costume.” he said
“I had to learn how to repair shoes so I became a shoe cobbler. Eventually, I left Oyo town and came to Lagos to find greener pastures but still I was not earning anything from acting.”
“I became a mobile cobbler. I would put my materials in a wooden box, place it on my shoulder and start hitting it as I walked the length and breadth of Idumota.”
“I would constantly hit my wooden box as I walked about to call the attention of people. Then nobody knew me so I kept hitting my box all over Idumota.”
“I remember I had a handkerchief I used to cover my face because of my tribal marks.”
“The reason I concealed my tribal marks was because the Igbo boys at Idumota had the belief that if they did not give their shoes to a Ghanaian cobbler, no one could do a better job.”
“If they saw my tribal marks, they would think I was one of the touts that would normally come to disturb them for money for shop and they would not give me their shoes to repair.”
“When I saw that being a shoe cobbler was affecting my career as an actor, I had to quit and face acting squarely. I thank God that good fortunes have come my way.”
Sanyeri is now one of the leading funny Yoruba actors that took over the terrain in the last four years. The actor hit the limelight after playing a lead role with his buddy, Adekola Tijani in the hit comedy flick, Muniru ati Ambali. He further showed the stuff he is made of after starring in Opa Kan, which featured Odunlade Adekola and Adekola Tijani .
BIG STORY
Governor Abdulrazaq Commits To Hosting 2025 BON Awards, Makes History As First To Host Consecutive Editions [PHOTOS]
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has announced his agreement to host the 2025 edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards in Ilorin, making him the first Governor in the event’s history to host it for two consecutive years. The Governor expressed his admiration for the 16th BON Awards, praising the event’s vibrant atmosphere and the engaging after-party that showcased the rich cultural and creative potential of Kwara State.
Held at the state-of-the-art Sugar Factory Film Studio in Ilorin, the BON Awards brought together top talents and stakeholders from Nigeria’s movie industry. Governor Abdulrazaq, who personally presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Nollywood icon Kanayo O. Kanayo, commended the organizers for their professionalism and the remarkable success of the event.
“The BON Awards have shown the immense possibilities of Ilorin as a center for creativity and entertainment. I was thrilled by the energy, talent, and warmth that defined this year’s edition. The after-party further reinforced our vision of Kwara as a hub for the creative economy, tourism, and hospitality,” the Governor said.
Governor Abdulrazaq emphasized his desire for Ilorin to become the permanent venue for the BON Awards, citing the city’s unique blend of modern infrastructure, serene environment, and rich cultural heritage.
“I would be honored to host next year’s edition of the BON Awards and beyond. Ilorin is ready to offer unmatched facilities and an enabling atmosphere to support events of this magnitude. With landmark projects like the Sugar Factory Film Studio, Visual Arts Centre, and remodeled Kwara Hotel, we are poised to set a new standard for hosting creative events,” he added.
The Governor extended his appreciation to the Nollywood stars and stakeholders for their significant contributions to the Nigerian creative industry and their warm embrace of Kwara as a destination for film and entertainment.
“We invite the creative community to consider Kwara not just for future productions but also as a home for their endeavors. Together, we can build a creative hub that reflects our shared aspirations for excellence and innovation,” he concluded.
The 16th BON Awards, which featured celebrated actors such as Femi Adebayo, Mercy Aigbe, Toyin Abraham, and many others, was a resounding success, with winners and attendees alike applauding the state’s infrastructure and hospitality.
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