Nigerian entertainer turned politician, Tony One Week (real name Tony Muonagor) in recent interview speak about how he became famous, his life as a politician and his ambitions.
About becoming a comedian and actor:
I was born in Enugu, grew up in Abakaliki and went back to Enugu for my secondary school. When I finished serving, I came to Lagos for holidays in 1997. My brother Peter told me about an audition at Ajao Estate for the movie Betrayer 2. When I got there, Kenneth Okonkwo just saw me and just shook my hands and said, ‘You are in this movie but I don’t know the role you are to play’. I hadn’t auditioned, and he didn’t know me before. At the end of the day, they gave me the role of a minister. It was an Igbo movie, and I was paid two thousand naira for it in 1997. I borrowed my brother in-law’s babariga to play that role as a minster.
About song with 2face Idibia:
I just did the song with 2face because of the relationship I had with him. I am building a better relationship with 2face’s management company that can partner with me, to empower the talented youths of my local government (Idemili north). When I was campaigning, I promised my people that I was going to discover one or two people in the areas of music, movies, comedy which was my main area.
Tony One Week collaborated with 2face in his recent song
About how he joined politics:
People think Tony One Week is a very lucky guy but I just thank God. I joined the PDP in 2005 after I left Lagos in 2005. I left Lagos after the Actors’ Guild election; I felt I was cheated by the marketers because they came from everywhere to support my opponent. I am not saying this because it makes me feel bad; if they didn’t cheat me I wouldn’t have been where I am today.
I tried getting a ticket in PDP in 2007, but I failed. I left the PDP in 2009 because I knew I wouldn’t progress there. I campaigned and at the end of the day people appreciated me more because I am Tony One Week. I contested and won and to the glory of God again, inside the house I was made the Minority Leader in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Awka.
About combining being a politician and a musician:
Initially I wasn’t doing music after I got into the House of Assembly. Then at some point I made it public that I can only do charity events. Nothing stops me. I can go to a wedding and when I get excited, I can sing. However, I cannot be standing on stage singing with a bottle of beer; that wouldn’t go down well with my person and what I represent.
You know once you are an entertainer you’ll always be an entertainer and I am still doing very well as a politician. As I’m talking to you now, that same musician that people did not give any chance has the highest number of motions in the House of Assembly in Anambra State. If you go there and ask they will tell you. In the history of the assembly, I don’t know if anyone has had 23 motions and 3 bills in less than four years in the house and these motions are related to road, education, erosion and social welfare for my constituency.
About what entertainers can offer politicians:
We are like children. An entertainer does not keep anything in his mind. We are not very rigid. We are jolly fellows and this is the kind of mindset we need in the leadership of the country. If you have an entertainer that has the basic educational qualification and is exposed, then you can get your perfect leader. I schooled in the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, for my H.N.D then to University of Nigeria for P.G.D and M.B.A. I’m not just a musician. You may say who be dis musician wey just come enter house? But when I start talking, when I start blowing grammar you go say dis person nah correct person.
Since making his Nollywood debut in 1998, Tony One Week has conquered the three major genres of entertainment in Nigeria: comedy, acting and music. Now a politician, Tony One Week, who is currently a minority leader in the Anambra State House of Assembly, is encouraging more entertainers to venture into politics.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63834.html
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63834.html
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