“Ifu is the future,” wrote preeminent movie critic, Yemi Oladeinde, on his score sheet after watching emerging Nollywood actress, Ifu Ennada, interpret delightfully the role of Amara in the award winning movie by C.J. Obasi, O’Town.

Impressed by her stunning acting range, Yemi, a long-standing member of the College of Screeners of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), commended Ifu to the other sub-jurors to be nominated in the best young and promising actor category of this year’s edition of the prestigious award.

Although Ifu did not eventually win in the category, that nomination, a continental one, conferred on the amiable, humble, friendly and courteous Abia State indigene the status of an actress to look out for in the continent.

Born in Lagos in the early 1990s to parents who are both from Abia State, Ifu, who undoubtedly has her eyes on the summit, studied Computer Science at Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State.

She speaks about her career and life.

Congratulations on your AMAA nominations. Did you see your nomination coming and how did it make you feel?
Honestly, I didn’t see my AMAA nomination for Best Young and Promising Actor coming. I had prayed and hoped for recognitions that big, but I didn’t think it would happen so soon.

So, when the producer for the movie, which I was nominated for, Oge Obasi, announced my nomination to me, I found it unbelievable, but it was right there in my face.

My name was included in the list of nominees by AMAA, so I couldn’t doubt it. I thanked God and still thank Him for everything.

A lot of people couldn’t place you, probably because O’Town had not been released. But was that your very first movie appearance?
Yes, O’Town took away my acting virginity in movies. I played the role of Amara, the girlfriend to Paami, the head of the gangsters.

Working on the set of O’Town, which was shot in Owerri, was a beautiful experience. The director C.J. Obasi; producer, Oge Obasi; DOP, Tunji Akinsenwa; and the entire crew members were amazing.

Also, the other cast members were exceptional and very friendly. I made some new friends there as well and Owerri was beautiful. I loved how nature surrounded me most of the time.

However, before O’Town, I had only played a lead, Tina Eze, a streetwise call girl, on Emerald TV drama series.

I have also made relevant appearances on Mnet Tinsel. I played the lead female on Ebony Life TV’s mini series, HM Travels & Tours.

I also made appearances on MTV Base Shuga and Ebony Life TV’s Desperate Housewives of Africa.

So, I have done some work and I have some movies I have been scheduled for this year, from this month.

I have gotten very interesting scripts from some directors and producers and I would be working with them.

At what point did it occur to you that you can act professionally and who were your role models and who or what inspired you?
I started acting from primary school and enjoyed it, because then I used to speak good French and it was good acting in a language that is foreign to my origin.

I enjoyed acting as a child, but I never really aspired to be an actress even though the things I did, like acting and singing in school, suggested I would be in entertainment and television.

I was the head choir from the time I got to Primary Three till when I graduated from primary school.

I was also the lead in school activities, like quizzes and debates. I actively did these things in primary and secondary schools.

But growing up, I watched Nollywood movies a lot. I fell in love with Zack Orji and Pete Edochie after watching several movies, including Evil Men and Igodo.

I also fell in love with Rita Dominic and Kate Henshaw. I have been watching them on television since my younger years and it is good to be in the same industry with these great people and to have become a professional television content creator and producer, aside being an actress. I got my first television job as a presenter when I was 19.

I am also a creative writer. I still produce and create content and I have not stopped writing.

Did your parents object to your taking to entertainment?
They did! They thought I could be a lot more, but they were underestimating the industry and all its goodness and potentials.

They also thought it would hinder me from getting my university education, but it didn’t.

Rewind to 2013 when I got my first job as an actress, my role in Emerald, where I played a streetwise call girl, I hid it from them.

I recalled that my mum saw me on television in Emerald as a streetwise call girl sitting with a man in a club. She called my dad, told him everything and asked him to talk to “his daughter” and my dad called me that evening. It was a very interesting phone conversation with him.

Fast forward to the future, they have given me all their blessings and always pray I reach greater heights with each passing day.

What are the pains of being an actress/entertainer on one hand and being a young female actress on another?
Well, there are a few pains, but I love how they make me a better person. Do you know that there are people who judge you wrongly, just because you are on television?

One time, there was this very insecure man who behind my back had told his entire family that I agreed to marry him, even though he wasn’t even close to an acquaintance.

I later found out that he was obsessed with me, but on the day we met in church and he told me all he had done, without me saying if I was interested in him as a person before considering his proposal, he told me he had plans to end my career in the entertainment industry, because he felt actresses were irresponsible.

Right there, I knew he wasn’t even fit to be my friend. This is just one out of the several insignificant pains.

As for the gains, I would say that I get favours from some people who have seen me on television and loved my work.

There are also the future gains, some of which would come in form of huge endorsement deals and international recognitions.

I would say that my involvement in the entertainment industry is fulfilling to a certain degree. Sometimes the money is slow to come, but it is all worth it. It will get better as the minutes go by.

You look good and dress well all the time. It must cost you a lot to look good, right?
I dress good all the time, yes, but not everything I wear is expensive. I think looking good comes with having a good sense of style with regards to knowing what to wear and how to match outfits.

Luckily for me, I have a cousin, Uche Onyejiaka, who styles me most of the time. She is the chief executive of Fabulous Bella Signs.

For my skincare, I try to avoid chemicals as much as possible. I currently use skincare products that are all natural.

To stay fit and healthy, I work out five to six days a week. I am a fitness enthusiast, so it is a lifestyle for me.

Who are your role models?
I love Johnny Depp just because he captured my heart from Pirates of the Carribean.

I think Lupita Nyongo’s breakthrough in Hollywood is motivating and inspiring and I would like to work with her.

I also would like to be on set with Idris Elba, Kevin Hart and John Boyega.

Back home, I want to work with every awesome actor, producer and director, including Biyi Bandele, who was my director on set of MTV Base Shuga, but I want to do bigger things with him.

I want to work with Omoni Oboli as an actor and director, as well as Tope Oshin and Martin Gbados of Soldier’s Story.

I want to work with all the amazing actors and actresses and producers.

How easy did you find breaking into the industry?
It was not easy, but I don’t believe getting a good role is hard, because I believe everything happens in God’s time.

Some things aren’t a walk-on-the-park and some people have to learn to persevere, regardless of the setbacks. In the end, everything will be beautiful if you are on God’s path for your life.

Just like my AMAA nomination came without warning, I believe greater recognition and domination, both locally and internationally, would be mine soon.

What is next on the card for Ifu?
Some of the things I am working on, aside some new feature length movies, include producing my own short film, Tears Of A Broken Virgin.

Aside acting, I want to train as a director, like I earlier stated. Since I am a television content creator and producer, in the future I want to create and produce more television shows, including reality television.

I would be a huge success in entertainment, film and television, God willing.