Nollywood actor Amuda Eko has opened up about the painful criticism he faced from his own grandmother while chasing his acting dream. Despite her repeated mockery and financial struggles, he refused to give up, and today his story inspires many.
Grandmother's Mockery: 'Is This the Rubbish That Made You Leave Your Tailoring Shop?'
Speaking on the AfricanAList podcast, Eko recounted how his grandmother constantly questioned his decision to abandon tailoring for acting. The criticism stung even more because he was struggling financially at the time, with little success to show for his efforts.
To survive, Eko worked as a porter, offloading cartons of cigarettes while chasing acting opportunities. When he finally landed his first movie role as a policeman, he eagerly showed the film to his grandmother, expecting encouragement. Instead, she said, 'Is this the rubbish and unfortunate thing that made you leave your tailoring shop?'
The role was hard to defend because he had no lines in the movie. Determined to prove himself, Eko begged filmmakers to give him a speaking role in his next production. After much pleading, he was allowed to say just one word: 'Goodnight.'
'Is That Why You Abandoned Your Shop for Months?'
Excited, Eko once again sat with his grandmother to watch the movie. To his surprise, she did not even notice him. After rewinding the film and pointing himself out, she asked, 'Is that why you abandoned your shop for months just to say one word, Goodnight?'
Rather than quit, Eko said the harsh comments strengthened his determination. Although he admitted feeling frustrated and discouraged at times, he convinced himself that if acting could make others successful, it could do the same for him.
Reactions from Fans and Colleagues
His interview sparked reactions on social media. @sekereajetv commented, 'Amuda Eko is so intelligent. Wow! I am really looking forward to having a time out with him. African A list, I don't know how you do it but I must confess that you're one in a billion. Soar higher.'
@omotayoodiedi2665 noted, 'The way I love this guy.....I laughed all through watching this episode, especially his relationship with his grandma.'
Oga Bello's Similar Struggles
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that veteran actor Adebayo Salami, known as Oga Bello, nearly quit acting after facing devastating losses and false accusations. He shared that the deaths of his mentor, Baba Mero, and the late actor's wife left him shattered. Despite the trauma, he chose to continue acting to preserve his mentor's legacy.
For Amuda Eko, the laughter, criticism, and rejection became fuel for the career he enjoys today. His story serves as a reminder that many successful people once faced doubt from those closest to them.
