LEGALLY CREATIVE

The creative space has established itself as a place of diverse gifts. From dancers to actors, TV presenters to musicians and even image consultants, it’s unending the craft you can find in the creative industry. But not all of them started their journey in the creative space; many studied professional courses and somehow found their way back to their first love— the world of creativity. Their various gifts are unveiled in this world, and their souls are alive. We see this as the familiar story of these four lawyers turned creatives. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu has become a face we all know on our screens as a host. Ifeoma Williams is an image consultant, Koye Kekere Ekun is an actor and Bunmi Olunloyo is a professional dancer, actor and choreographer.

In this interview with DOWNTOWN Editor-atlarge, Chalya Shagaya, they speak about their love for both their professional degrees and their present careers in the creative space.

BUNMI OLUNLOYO Professional Dancer, Choreographer And Actor

Bunmi Olunloyo also wears a few hats. Apart from her main job as a professional dancer and choreographer, she is also an actress. Olunloyo recently launched an active and Athleseiure bodyline called FIT BY BUNMI. For Olunloyo, who considers her legal degree one of the best decisions she ever made, dance is also her all. And while she admits that dancing is highly stressful and physically and mentally draining, she already had a soft landing based on the intensive training she received at law school.

Clearly, you are passionate about dance and have been for a long time. I remember you were dancing even at Law School. Why did you bother going through with the degree?

To be honest, I thought that dance would initially be a side job and I would work as a lawyer though I had no plans for actual litigation. So it was important to finish it, and somehow I knew that though I was criticised for doing both (dance and law) and advised to stick to law, it was going to set me apart in my industry, and it sure has. I actually think I’m the only professional dancer in Nigeria that’s a lawyer (laughs loudly). I may be wrong, but I'm not aware of any other.

How fulfilling is your job as a dance instructor?

1000%. It’s highly stressful and physically and mentally draining, but I’m so blessed to be able to create art, tell stories through movement, perform in front of a large audience, make everyone feel something, and make a wholesome living and career out of it, especially in a country like Nigeria. I love it so much.

Does your law degree help you when dealing with clients, for example, a contract for a major performance?

Absolutely! Even in informal situations (not necessarily in terms of formal contracts), you are instantly heard, respected and taken more seriously. When dealing with clients, you get into the zone and switch seamlessly without even mentioning that you’re a lawyer.

It’s a wide contrast between dance and law, but law is an intensive training, so it’s embedded in you forever.

It’s definitely one of the best decisions I made.

EBUKA OBIUCHENDU TV Host

TV’s most desired host, Ebuka ObiUchendu, is a man who doesn’t need an introduction. Mainly known for his gigs on Big Brother and Rubbin’ Minds, Ebuka is quite the busy bee. For him, working as a TV host wasn’t part of his plan after he left the Big Brother show years ago, but you know what they say about a man’s gift making way for him. Yes, everyone who saw him on TV said he had the face for TV and the rest, as they say, is... well, what you see him doing now. Interestingly for Ebuka, he hopes to go back to the legal profession someday formally.

You look like you would have made an outstanding lawyer. Your show, Judging Matters, shows that side of you. Why did you ditch the profession? Well, television happened by chance. I was fresh out of law school, got on a reality show, and everyone kept saying I sounded and looked like I was made for TV. The plan was to get my master’s degree right after the show and go full-on into private practice. But I decided to explore the media industry when the TV talk wouldn’t stop. It turns out it wasn’t such a bad call after all because I eventually fell in love with TV presenting. And the pay wasn’t too bad either compared to what new wigs were earning at the time. So, I decided to stay the course, and 17 years later, here we are.

What’s the most fulfilling thing about what you do now? I love connecting with people, and many of the shows I do on TV have me either interviewing people or interacting with them in some way. That has been my greatest teacher in life. Learning from people from all walks of life and, at the same time, having to share that blessing with the world. As much as it’s a job, it continues to be a medium for me to share knowledge and inform people even when they think they’re just being entertained. I have a very curious mind, and my job feeds it constantly.

I read somewhere that you also handle some entertainment law issues for friends. You combine both careers so well. Do you get paid, or it’s a friendship thing?

I get paid sometimes, but you know how it goes when it’s with friends or colleagues. One of the best quotes that have stuck with me from law school in Bwari was from my Civil Procedures professor, who said, “Never work for friends or family because they’ll never think you’re worth your pay.” (Laughs loudly) It seemed harsh at the time, but he was right. I do it anyway, mainly because, as an entertainment lawyer, I hate to see my colleagues fail for simple contract issues constantly. Plus, it helps me stay refreshed on the legal front. But the plan is still to make it more than a side gig in the future. Keeping my fingers crossed on that.

How do you manage to host all these—Rubbin’ Minds, Big Brother, etc., and your legal side gig? You are pretty busy.

I’m highly intentional with planning. I currently host four TV shows; Rubbin’ Minds, Big Brother, Judging Matters and The Blackbox Whilst also hosting one-off events and doing the occasional private practice on the side. I believe everything is just about scheduling. The longer I’ve done this, the more I’ve realised how to schedule properly and jump from one gig to another. We live in a country and world now where one job is not enough, so I’d rather complain about being too busy than not doing enough to grow and earn the best living I can today. I’ll rest later in life when all is said and done. Now is not the time.