Popular Nollywood actor Afeez Abiodun aka Afeez Owo recently went down memory late to the time when he used to dislike himself because of the tribal marks his parents did for him.
In a recent chat with Saturday Beats, Owo said he will never allow his children to go through what he went through in his childhood days.
His words:
“I am very comfortable with my tribal marks now and if anything ever wipes them off my face, I would feel bare or naked and my fans would not recognise me. While I was growing up in Surulere, there were a lot of times I was teased by people because of my tribal marks. They abused me so much but I did not care; today my tribal mark is my trademark. There was a time people teased me so much that I attempted to use sandpaper to wipe them off especially when bus conductors insulted me about it. They always picked on me and called me various names but I thank God for who I am today. I am also glad I did not get rid of the tribal marks. There is no insult anyone can dish out to me over my tribal marks that would hurt my feelings. Although I like my tribal marks, I can never allow anyone to give my children tribal marks”.
On how he started his acting career, the actor said:
“When I started my acting career, it was rough and tough. The first challenge I faced was from my parents who felt I did not know what I was doing with my life. I lived with them in Oyo State and they felt that I ought to go to school to study. They weren’t pleased with me, so they backed off and I had to finance my education from Primary 5 till I got to Form 5. When I got to Lagos, I had to fend for myself as well. I got a little place on Randle Avenue, Surulere and whenever I was going for rehearsals, I trekked from my house in Surulere to Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island. I never knew that I would become someone in life. I just went with hope and I had it in mind that if I passed out while trekking either to the venue or back home, then so be it. I got a breakthrough in 1998 and two years later, I produced my first movie” .
Most children don’t feel comfortable with facial marks. I was self conscious with mine until l realized other youngsters were playfully trying to use kohl to replicate something similar on their own faces. They have faded now and most people don’t even observe them but l am thankful l have escaped those comments and explanations.
Those making the tribal marks on the faces of babies must really have a heart of stone. One can only imagine how deep it was when freshly made.