Veteran Nollywood actor Adebayo Salami, widely known as Oga Bello, has looked back on the early days of his acting career, saying his generation entered the theatre out of passion rather than the pursuit of fame or financial success.
The actor shared the reflection in an Instagram post accompanied by a throwback photograph of himself and fellow veteran actor Baba Wande.
Recalling their beginnings in the theatre industry, Salami said their commitment was rooted in a genuine love for the performing arts, with little thought given to the rewards that might follow.
According to him, recognition and other benefits that later came their way were unexpected blessings rather than the motivation behind their work.
“When we started theatre, our minds and hearts were more about passion for the arts. Every other goodness that came from it was just a divine bonus for us,” he wrote.
Salami’s post offered a glimpse into the values that shaped the careers of many veteran performers, highlighting dedication to the craft as the foundation of their enduring success in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
