Married to her long-time boyfriend, Olumide Akande, son of billionaire businessman, Chief Harry Akande, and blessed with a beautiful baby girl, months after her wedding, Nollywood star, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, stepped out for the first time after delivery on Friday, February 24, 2012, for the movie premiere of Ini Edo’s “I’ll Take My Chances” at Silverbird Galleria (on Victoria Island, Lagos). Dressed in a beautifully-cut short golden gown with a bag and shoes to match, she chatted with YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine on what marriage has done for her, what has changed about her since she got married and more. Excerpts…
Since you got married, nothing has been heard from you. What have you been doing?
I have been married and I have given birth to a baby girl. So, I have been very busy taking care of my family.
What has marriage done for you?
It’s been a wonderful experience. It is full of happiness for me because we have a new child and this has brought a lot of joy into the family. Yeah, I’m really, really enjoying it.
Most of your colleagues see you as a very lucky woman when it comes to marriage. How do you see it?
Really! No, it’s by the grace of God. It has nothing to do with me. It is not by my power or anything. This is just my destiny and I’m just living my life the way God wants it.
You are in the category of some of the few scandal-free actresses. What are your strategies?
Like I said, I live by the grace of God. I can’t say it’s because I’m perfect. As you know, there is no perfect person, but I have been very upright and keep to my words and I’m not a very controversial person. I’m very relaxed, I’m very cool. So, it will be very difficult for you to see me around such things that are scandalous. Really, I can’t say anything more than that.
How would you describe your marriage to Olumide Akande?
It’s great! That is all I can say. I don’t want to talk much about it.
What are you working on presently?
I have been taking care of my child, my husband and I just came out to support my colleague. Emen Isong is a very good friend of mine for a very long time and she has been there for me since the beginning of my career. So, that is why I’m here.
Your shape has not changed, even after having a baby. What is the secret?
I work out, I exercise, I eat wisely. I just take care of myself because this industry I’m into, I can’t allow myself to be worn-out. I have to maintain my stature and shape well.
What has changed about you since you got married?
Hmmm! Actually, a lot of responsibilities, more than what I had when I was a single girl, which is natural. But I’m managing it very well and I thank God.
What were those things you did when you were single that you cannot do again now that you are married?
Then, I could just get dressed and get out of the house without thinking of anything; but now I have to make sure my baby is okay, I see her feed, I have to make sure I bath her first thing in the morning. You know, I have to think about so many other things first before myself. But it’s okay. I am a very selfless person anyway. So, it’s fine.
Now that you are married, can you still accept some of the movie roles you played when you were single?
Of course, I have to consider my husband. I have to make sure I respect him and if there is anything that he is not comfortable with, he would let me know and I would have to consider him. But so far, there is nothing of such.
So, when would you start starring in movies again and what should we be expecting from you?
Hopefully, this year, I’m going to try and come back to work. But like I said, I have to make sure my baby is okay. I will get back into producing and hopefully get back to acting as well because I have really missed acting.
Are you working on anything now?
I’m reading a few scripts right now and when I find something really exciting, I would definitely jump on it.
NB: First published March 2012