I read this interesting interview of Mercy Johnson Odi by Samuel Olatunji on
sunnewsonline.com and i think a lot of you will find it interesting. See it below;
You were at OJB’s house to see him and donate money, now you are here
to donate to the Boys Reform Home in Lagos. What’s the idea?
No idea, we are just promoting the ideals of Mercy Johnson Foundation.
The idea is to identify the needs, evaluate and help in our own little
way. All fingers are not equal; those in position to help should do so
without hesitation. You will be hearing a lot about Mercy Johnson
Foundation from now on. We have put our house in order and now ready to
help those we can. I strongly believe that as stars we should live
beyond the euphoria of stardom and the moment. We will not always be
here, what happens if you look back and realise you could do a lot to
make the world better when you had the spotlight and you didn’t?
I want
to live beyond the moment.
Why the reform homes in Lagos?
I know I’m not glamorous to a lot of people, but we must know that if we
do charitable things for publicity alone, we defeat the purpose. We
need to find ways to reform young boys and girls otherwise they will
make life uncomfortable for the children of the privileged. At this
point, I must commend the government of Lagos State for making efforts
at reforming the kids. We are looking at what
we can do with the state
to help make the future of these children better.
Motherhood seems to have changed you…
Yes, motherhood changes women. You begin to see yourself as a
co-creator. You begin to see yourself as a protector. Few days ago, I
was feeding Purity and she started dragging
the bottle with me with the
hot water in it. She pushed the bottle, I had to quickly push her away
from the water and let it pour on my arm instead. That’s the kind of
protection I am talking about. I think it will also make you feel more
responsible for other children as well. You begin to see them as
children of some other mothers. You have a sense of responsibility to
want to protect them as well.
How are you coping with your husband and the baby?
There’s nothing like coping, he’s making my job easier. He dots on her.
He carries her, feeds and does everything for her such that she misses
him when he’s not around. You won’t believe she sleeps on his chest
every night. He understands whatever adjustment I need to make when it
comes to the baby. He’s a loving father?
What about being a loving husband?
Come on now, you know that Sam. He’s the best thing that happened to me.
People usually say men are not reliable, in the case of my husband he’s
a blessing. It’s obvious we are his priority.
So, your step of faith is paying off?
Yes. I am not saying its perfect, but this is close to perfection. If
this is what it feels to be married, I want to marry my husband again
and again.
How come you took a break and still returned as number one in Nollywood?
There’s nothing like number one in Nollywood. We are all doing our
jobs; it’s just that some people are busier than others. I’m glad of
what God has given me.
What should we expect from you career-wise?
I’m trying to be more selective with what I do. If the script is not
good, I don’t want to do it. Our market is getting core aware and
advanced as the day goes by.
How come you are not an ambassador of any brand yet?
We are having discussion with a couple
of brands, when we agree with the
terms, you will hear from us. However, I need to quickly point out that
Mercy Johnson is a blend of youth and family brand. We just can’t stand
and represent any brand. If it’s not representing the youths, which is
our major consistency or the family, we will not be favourably disposed
to it. I can’t at this point be ‘hawking’ cleavages in the name of
promoting brand. Things have changed; this is the beginning of a new
era for me.
