Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, has vowed not to leave behind houses or properties for his children.
The actor disclosed this in a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune.
According to Bello, he has already given his children the most valuable legacy, which is education.
The thespian, who is married to two wives and is a proud father of 18 children, said he made a conscious decision early on in life to focus his resources on giving his children quality education rather than accumulating assets for them.
According to him, “I don’t want to leave any properties for my children. I just need two houses, one in Lagos and one in my hometown. If you meet any money in my account, share it. I’m passionate about education.”
The actor, whose career began in 1964 with the Young Concert Party led by the late Baba Mero, noted that he never had the privilege of parental support in his own educational journey, and that has shaped his views on parenting.
“Even if it’s just a first degree, I wanted all my children to be educated,” he added.
Speaking further, Oga Bello emphasised that he never forced any of his children into acting, adding that they came into it by passion, and he simply supported them on the condition that they did well in school.
“I didn’t bring or force them to the industry. Whenever I was going for rehearsals and they wanted to follow, I would say no, except they had good results in school. That made them work hard,” he explained.
On the issue of ageing and retirement, Oga Bello also shared deep reflections about life as an elderly actor and the cultural lack of preparation for old age.
“Old age comes with challenges. Preparing for old age is personal. Here in Nigeria, we don’t take it seriously across professions. I invested in my children. In old age, they will take care of me,” he said.