Nollywood Yoruba actor Bolaji Amusa popularly known as Baba Latin talks about his life and career in this interview with Punch.
How did you derive the name, Baba Latin?
When I ventured into comedy, we had actors such as Baba Suwe, Baba Sala and so many others. Then, I was always speaking big grammar on set. One day, a man on set asked if I was speaking Latin and everyone laughed. The name stuck and I decided calling myself Baba Latin.
What made you go into acting?
I never had intentions of acting. In fact, I hated it and dreamt of being a footballer instead. I loved Segun Odegbami and wanted to be like him. But each time I played football, I came back home with injuries which I would nurse for three days. I just concluded that I was not destined to be a footballer. Later, a friend of mine, who observed that I love to talk, dragged me into the industry. He invited me on the set of a movie and I started to act. I still love football anyway.
Can you give a brief background of yourself?
My name is Bolaji Amusan. I’m a native of Gbongan in Osun state. I was born in Gbongan but spent my childhood in Abeokuta, Ogun State. That is why people mistake me to be an Egba man. I attended Army Children Primary School, Abeokuta and had my secondary school at Gbongan High School, after which I relocated to Abeokuta, where I started working. I didn’t attend any higher institution until recently when I enrolled for a programme in Tourism at the Exceldel Institute in London, United Kingdom.
Of what importance is tourism to you as an actor?
It is very important especially with my job. Tourism and culture go hand-in-hand and basically, my profession promotes culture.
For one who is not a graduate, you speak the English language fluently. How did you come about this?
I lived with an uncle who was a military officer. As a child, he mandated me to read newspapers and I had to summarise the content of those newspapers to him whenever he came back from work. Failure to do so was serious punishment! That was what helped me and till date, I’m so used to reading newspapers and I read more than six everyday. PUNCH remains my favourite of all. I wake up by 5.00am, pick up my i-pad and read all dailies on-line before I start the day’s activities.
Are you married?
Yes. I am happily married and have two children. I have one wife. My family relocated to Dublin about four years ago and I visit them at least three times in a year. There is no reasons attached to their relocation, it was just for a change of environment.
What do you do aside acting?
I am into business. I sell cars but I am very involved with my foundation, Mr. Latin Foundation: Save a Life Today. I had to travel abroad to source for ideas on how to help people and profer solutions to their problems.