RMD: Many wonder why I didn’t start a ‘wealth acquisition career’ in govt

Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nollywood icon, has revealed that he chose to return to his roots in acting after several years in government because of his innate passion for the craft.

After serving as a commissioner in Delta state for a few years, RMD, as he’s fondly known, made a comeback to Nollywood.

In an Instagram post announcing the Richard Mofe-Damijo Mentorship Series, the actor said he’s never been motivated by money.

He said although his mother wanted him to become a lawyer, banker of evern a lecturer, he was more interested in acting as it was (and still is) his dream and calling.

“Being the only child of a hardworking, dignified business woman put a lot of pressure, not only on me but on her as well. She wanted me to succeed and have a distinguished professional title like “Lawyer”, “Banker”, even “Lecturer” because having their child study to become an “Actor” in the 70’s was not something most parents wanted to hear, so imagine how difficult it was convincing “Mama Rich” to let me study Theatre Arts,” RMD wrote.

“I remember my strongest possible argument at that time was that she would be “seeing me on TV”. Theatre Arts was not a course I studied because I couldn’t get into any other department. It is a dream, a passion, a drive, a calling.

“As a young theatre arts enthusiast in the early 80’s, my heroes were the Wole Soyinka’s, Ola Rotimi’s, Femi Osofisan’s, J.P Clark’s and university lecturers which is why till date, I am not driven or motivated by money.

“Many people do not understand how after serving as a commissioner in Delta State, I did not begin a wealth “acquisition career” in government, rather, I returned to acting.

“Well the answer is simple: It’s because I was inspired, moulded and influenced by the lecturer types who were satisfied with their humble but dignified livelihoods of teaching and living within the university campus.

“The Richard Mofe-Damijo Mentorship Series is finally here and I am hoping that in this generation, I would find one person who is inspired, influenced and motivated by intellect, integrity and dignity, who is passionate about what he/she has chosen as their career or craft.”