African Voices meets Nigerian movie star Genevieve Nnaji, one of Africa’s most successful actresses. Dressed in a Jewel by Lisa piece, Genevieve was interviewed by CNN’s Pedro Pinto. This is one of the most comprehensive interviews given by the actress, she discussed her love for Nigeria, her acting career, Nollywood and lots more.
The show will air this weekend 26th to 28th March 2011 – Watch the show at the following times on CNN International:
•Saturdays: 0830, 1430
•Sundays: 0800, 2100
•Mondays: 1030, 1730
(all times GMT)
CLIP: Genevieve Nnaji chats with Pedro Pinto about Nigeria on CNN International’s African Voices
Transcript – Excerpt
Nigeria is just like any other place
GN – Everything, every aspect of you know, human nature is in every Nigerian. The good, the bad, the ugly, it’s just like another New York. You know, Nigeria is fun to be honest. But we’re not the worst people. All we have people talking about when it comes to Nigeria is crime and fraud, and that’s just a very, very, minute number of people. Nigerians as a whole are very confident people, I believe we’re confident, I believe we’re very resourceful and we are very hospitable when it comes to visitors in the country.
PP – When you look at you’re country, what are some of the things you love about it, what are some of the things that you would like to change?
GN – I like that as Nigerians as we are, we have some sort of neighbourly love that we don’t understand, we have a way of coming to the rescue of complete strangers, we do have that bond and I think it has to do with our background and how we are raised and how Nigerians in a whole have been made to be morally. It’s like you have a moral duty to your society, to yourself, to your family so it’s like everybody’s business is everybody’s business. It’s a bad thing sometimes, but it does have its good sides. You know, so that is something that we are. We probably don’t know as a people and if we don’t know we should know it now, it’s a good thing. What I don’t like about Nigeria…man, I never diss my own country, man! You know, what ever negativity is in a country is in every other country; it’s in every other part of the world. So, the thing is everyone needs to be treated as individuals and not a collective nation. You don’t judge one person or judge one person by another persons faults. So, I just take every Nigerian the way I see them. I would never live anywhere else to be honest, no.
PP – Really?
GN – No, I grew up in Lagos, I was born, bred there. I don’t see myself leaving that town anytime soon. I can work anywhere else, but in terms of living, I’m used to Lagos, I’m sorry!
Do you have a story/gist for publication? Please email it to story@nigeriafilms.com
keee | 3/25/2011 8:46:24 PM
Look at when she was speaking…..no borrowed foreign ascent…….this is what i call rebranding nija…….she was real
and she hit the nail when she said……..i cannot dis my country………this girl is a real role model……what else can we ask for…..
keee | 3/25/2011 9:09:26 PM |
ds girl is responsibly dressed beautiful and intelligent..hahahaha..where r d haters
PRETA/LIBERIA | 3/25/2011 9:12:13 PM |
YOU SAID THAT GENNY SAID THAT NIGERIA IS JUST LIKE NEW YORK,BUT FROM THE INTERVIEW I KNOW NOW THAT YOU ARE REALLY A BIG f**l.SO PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG IN WHAT SHE SAID.BIG, BIG, SHAME TO NFC. THE GIRL IS PUTTING YOUR COUNTRY(NIGERIA) ON THE WORLD MAP EVERYDAY AND U BEEN SAYING r*bb**h ABOUT HER.SHINE AND SHINE FOREVER GENNY! YOUR COUNTRY IS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SOME ONE LIKE U DEAR.I LOVE YOU GENNY.
keee | 3/25/2011 8:48:23 PM
I have just listened to some part of the interview and it was great. all i can say about genny is that the power of destiny and favor is at work in her life. to appear in cnn twice in two years speaks a lot about her. in my opinion i believe that genny is already a legend.
her presence in nollywood and nigeria would still be felt and remain strong in the future. from oprah to cnn, hollywood magazine. what else can we call achievement. this is a girl that does not boast of a university certificate. Again she has widened the gap among her contemporaries and she has kept it smooth.
again for me she has fufilled the vision of nollyood and every player in the industry ought to be happy that this is their effort.
Ekene | 3/25/2011 8:48:36 PM
Is lagos your home town ?
Mildred | 3/25/2011 9:08:58 PM |
Did you not hear what she said or better still did you not read? she said she was born in Lagos and she grew up there..she didn’t say it’s her home town. I am sure if he asked her about her home town she would have mentioned her state of origin, so read before you jump into baseless conclusions.
esther | 3/25/2011 8:49:12 PM
She herself identified as a nigerian not as igbo or something…lets project the spirit of oneness in nigeria and stop this genny & omotola talk. we are all one and should be proud to have both Omotola and genevieve doing us proud
keee | 3/25/2011 8:50:01 PM
how many girls this days are bleaching or applying skin lightening cream but genny has kept her skin natural…….this is what being nigeria is all about.
pinapple | 3/25/2011 8:55:18 PM |
keee anya ruru gi ala. Welldone Genny more grease to ur elbow
keee | 3/25/2011 8:53:34 PM
I have just listened to some part of the interview and it was great. all i can say about genny is that the power of destiny and favor is at work in her life. to appear in cnn twice in two years speaks a lot about her. in my opinion i believe that genny is already a legend.
her presence in nollywood and nigeria would still be felt and remain strong in the future. from oprah to cnn, hollywood magazine. what else can we call achievement. this is a girl that does not boast of a university certificate. Again she has widened the gap among her contemporaries and she has kept it smooth.
again for me she has fufilled the vision of nollyood and every player in the industry ought to be happy that this is their effort.
keee | 3/25/2011 9:09:22 PM
thanks for saying that pinnaple
Amebo | 3/25/2011 9:12:25 PM
This is one of the best intelligent answer i have come across, is second to none..Genny supposed to be an ambassador.You are a good citizen.
Nnedady | 3/25/2011 9:23:22 PM |
That is a wonderful representation of our dear country – Nigeria. Genny keep it up and please don’t get distracted. Kudos!
Jonathan | 3/25/2011 9:22:22 PM
Oh yeaaaa she answered well and intelligently, she was not in a rush to give out nonsense.On a world class interview like this, one has to be careful because some day it might be used against you.One will never know, tomorrow is pregnant.Secondly she did not fake a s**p*d accent, to me every nation has their own accent.
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