POLITICS: “MY PASSION TO BETTER HUMANITY DRIVES ME INTO POLITICS” -NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, PRINCESS ADETUWO

… Pays glowing tribute to Governor Akeredolu for her appointment

Princess Dupe Adetuwo is a mother of 3, a veteran Nollywood actress, movie producer, interior decorator cum Politician. She is a Council Member of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. In this interview, the CEO of Princess Dee’s Film Productions and APC stalwart spoke to Event Diary Lifestyle Political Editor on her political career and her foray into politics

As a successful, celebrated actress and mother, what inspired you into politics? 

To me, politics and entertainment have a lot in common as they are interwoven. To the glory of God, I was able to write my name in Gold in the entertainment industry and I felt having achieve that, I needed to give back to the society that so much believes in me, at the state and local government levels. Again, I want to contribute more to human development and this can only be achieved by joining politics, so I will be able to make and influence some governmental projects to my people. My involvement in politics will enable me reach out to people who need my assistance and empower my people.You will agree with me that I can go far in reaching out to more people when I am in politics and I have an appointment. Basically, I am in politics to serve and empower my people.

Any regret so far as a politician?

Well, sometimes politics can be very frustrating but one thing about me is that once I set out to do something, I do it passionately, I don’t give up no matter the challenges. I remember during ex-Governor Mimko’s administration, my friend and colleague, Sola Shobowale was in Ondo State and in her usual way, she said: “Dupe ki ni o lo se ni politics, you that you can’t lie, you are not fetish, hmmmm and you want to do politics”, and I told her thank God that you know me but if we all fold our hands and we allow the “bad people” to continue to rule us and have their way, who will correct the anomalies, why not some of us who feel we can lead by example, take up the challenge, be decent and play decent politics. Why don’t we come out now and make the difference and let them see what we decent people, truthful people can do in politics. So I will say whatever regret I have had in politics, my passion has nullified it.

Do you have the ambition to contest for any elective post in the future?

Let me use this medium to appreciate and thank my governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for appointing me as a Council Member of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. The appointment was a steping stone for me and it gives me a lot of recognition, it has added to my CV, I thank him for that and I will forever be grateful to him. 

Coming back to your question, you see in politics, you can never say never. I have always allowed God to lead me, anything can happen tomorrow, I might decide to contest, even my party can decide to give me the ticket to run or I can be appointed to do the work. So in politics once you are alive and active, anything can happen.

As a politician, what is your word of advice to women who are interested in politics?

Politics is a game of luck and I want to encourage more women to join the game because the sky is the starting point for a woman who knows what she wants, and who is focus. That popular saying has it that, “what a man can do, a woman can do”, even better. It will interest you know that women are far better than man when it comes to leadership positions.

Today, we have respected women in politics, women with integrity, women who are focus. So my advice to married women who are interested in politics is that they should seek their husbands’ permission first and to open up to him. And to those who are single, be determined and let the principle guide you. Women can manage issues better than men, and we are the salt of the world, anywhere we are, it is always sweet.

As a politician cum actress, will you say the Ondo State Government has done well in the area of cultural promotion and the entertainment industry?

Though I will say much is yet to be done by this administration but I believe that Mr. Governor will take more actions during this his second term and we will continue to tell them. We have written several proposals regarding the industry. Like I said, we believe that Arakunrin Akeredolu will look into it and work on some of the suggestions we have made and action will be taken as the movie industry in the state will feel his impact more in his second term in office. I believe we will get there.