Nollywood Actor Charles Okocha Opens Up About Battle With Aerophobia

By Tofarati Ige, Sunday Scoop

Nollywood Actor Charles Okocha Opens Up About Battle With Aerophobia

Controversial actor  Charles Okocha, aka Igwe 2pac, was recently the butt of jokes on social media when some fans took pictures of him boarding a public bus.

In a chat with Sunday Scoop, the actor stated that the joke was on the people who made fun of him because in saner climes, there was nothing unusual about celebs taking public transport.

He said;

“There’s no big deal about me boarding public transport. Are we not all humans? In America and other places, celebrities and public officials take public transport such as trains and ferries. People are just making a mountain out of a mole hill. The Prime Minister of Netherlands rides his bicycle to work. So, why are people making an issue out of my action? I’m a very humble person and I do whatever I want. If I want to board a bus, I would do just that. That day, I took a bus from Asaba to Lagos. I don’t care about what anybody thinks of my status.”

On why he didn’t board a flight which is safer and more convenient, Okocha said;

“I’m a big boy but I’m also from the streets. More importantly, I have a phobia for flying. I only travel by air when I don’t have any choice. I’m more comfortable on the road. Even at that, I had been to the airport earlier that day but I think the Super Eagles had a match; so, there were no available flights. On that day, I even got down at Ore (Ondo State) to ease myself and buy roasted plantain (boli). My fans, who saw me, greeted me and I gave them thumbs up. A lot of people recognised me and were shouting my name.

I didn’t hide my face from anyone. If I didn’t want to be recognised, I wouldn’t have got out of the bus at Ore. Even today (Thursday), I boarded the same bus to Asaba to inspect my projects and I was my usual self. I have some real estate developments that I’m doing in Asaba; so, I need to be there constantly to supervise things.”