Doris Dosage Blog: See the 4 cartoonists killed in Charlie: October 2014

Nollywood actress and former special assistant to Rochas Okorocha, Nkeiru Sylvanus has opened up about her 2012 abduction and why she said that she don’t mind becoming a second wife. The actress bared her mind to TC. The interview is lengthy but you’ll enjoy every bit of it. Read excepts after cut...

What is it about you being a second wife?

Well, I had an interview with Channels TV where I was asked if I could be a second wife for any reason. And I said yes.

Why would you be a one?

Because you can never say never. Life is full of surprises. You cannot say you cannot do this. Being a second wife is not a crime. It is not something you do and then be condemned for life. Relationship is all about finding the right person. If you find the right person and unfortunately he is married, and he is willing to take you in and you are also willing to accept whatever he is offering, which might likely make you happy, why not give it all yours? So if I find myself in such situation with a man that I love and appreciate, a man that I feel I am happy with and worthy of spending the rest of my life with, whether married or not, I will go for him.

So, you support ladies who date married men?

I am not an advocate for such thing but I am saying we should not discriminate against women who were taken in as second wives. This is because you can never tell another person’s story better than she can.

How true is it that you are already married?

As you can see, I have no wedding band. That means I am still single and not married.

You went through the terrible experience of being kidnapped during the shooting of your movie. Can you share your experience with us?

The kidnapping happened in 2012. It was hell, I mean, a terrible experience. One thing the devil wanted to do then was to take away my freedom. And I will never wish anybody, even my enemies, to have his or her freedom taken away. But that is life. Bad things happen and good things also happen. In some instances, such nasty experiences make you stronger. But one thing I am so excited about today is that I am alive to talk about the movie, The Voice.

What went through your mind immediately you were kidnapped given that you were shooting a movie that has a kidnapping theme?

Honestly, it was a big coincidence. We talked a lot about it on set after our release. I was shooting a movie where in the story I was kidnapped and here was I then experiencing it in real life. What a huge coincidence. While in those kidnappers’ den, I was thinking about my life and whether I would come out alive. I was thinking about my family. So when I came out, the passion I had for the job made me go back almost immediately on set to complete the movie.

Some people insinuated that you actually faked the kidnapping just to create a buzz around the movie you were producing then.

Well, I will not wish my enemy to be kidnapped. But if anyone wishes to be kidnapped and kept in the bush for more than five days, good luck to such person. For me, it was a terrible experience and I do not wish it for my terrible enemy. For five days, I lived purely on water.

Were you on hunger strike?

At that point, you will not think about food.

Why?

Because you are among strangers. These were armed strangers. My heart always skipped each time I saw those guys inside that deep bush. I was always so scared that hunger went away. You can’t even remember that you are hungry. For those five days, I lost appetite but only survived on water.

Would you like to reveal to us how much was paid as ransom before you were set free?

Except you want me to be kidnapped again, I won’t and will not discuss the ransom with you.

You are from Abia State but got an appointment in Imo State

But you know I wasn’t the first person to get an appointment outside my state. There are commissioners in Lagos State that are Ibo people. There are members of exco in Niger State that are Ibo people. And in Imo State, I wasn’t the only non-indigene member of the state exco. There are Hausa and others.

What kind of relationship do you have with Governor Rochas Okoracha that qualified you to be appointed as one of his aides?

Look, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is not a tribalist. This is a man who wants to give opportunity to everyone irrespective of where they come from. He is a man that will look at you and ask you to come and work for him because you are good and dedicated. The truth is that it is very difficult to find people who are very dedicated to their jobs and if you find any, irrespective of where he or she comes from, I don’t think we should create any barrier to stop that person from serving. Since we preach one Nigeria, peace and unity, we should not discriminate. Because you are not from a particular state, then you should not be allowed to serve, we should campaign against such practice.