Mercy Johnson is a well known Nollywood star
in Nigeria, nay Africa. After taking a break
from the klieg lights to get married and have
her baby, she’s now ready for a new project –
the Mercy Johnson Foundation.
Last Friday, Reporters caught up with Mercy
Johnson at the Boys Correctional Center,
Oregun, Lagos, where she went to speak to the
boys and donate some gifts. She spoke briefly
about motherhood and living beyond the
moment. Samuel Olatunji recorded this
excerpts…
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.
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
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