Simi and Tofu Ochello… The governor’s kids

Simi Adejumo is a highly committed, tenacious and resilient self-starter, who is able to quickly understand a client’s needs and organise a company’s resources to satisfy their requirements. She holds a first class BA (Hons) in Broadcasting, Journalism and Communications from Glyndwr University and currently works as a presenter and producer at CoolTV in Lagos, Nigeria. She plays the character Ify Ochello in the TV series The Governor. She is the first child and a third year law student.

As a presenter and producer of her own entertainment show at Calon FM, she updates her audience with current affairs regarding young adults. On a personal level she is open to challenging situations, which test her abilities.

During her time at HiTV, Simi was given the responsibility of developing new ideas for shows including ‘Star Stories’, which involved carrying out background research and scriptwriting for presenters. She also interviewed Nigerian celebrities both in the studio and at a red carpet event.

“I have a reputation as being a dependable, organised and a fast learner, with advanced computer skills. I’m fully trained in terms of using the control desk and also using editing software for any pre-recorded shows,” she said.

In the series, budding actor, Samuel Robinson plays the character of Tofu Ochello, the second and only son of deputy governor, Angela Ochello, played by Caroline Chikezie, who with no governorship ambitions finds herself suddenly entangled in a web of political intrigue after the untimely death of the governor.

Samuel, who has mastered the art of flawless role interpretation, has been acting for two years and has worked on projects such as Desperate Housewives Africa, Tinsel, Shula, 8 Bars and A Clef among others.

“Since I was little I have loved to imitate the characters I watched on TV and I thought I was damn good at it too. I did my first stage production in church at the age of seven and the feedback was amazing. That was when I started thinking… I might actually be good at this. But the major encouragement I received to act was when the director at my audition for Desperate Housewives Africa pulled me aside during my audition and told me that if I wanted to pursue a career in acting, I should go for it.”

For him, acting in Nollywood is not as easy as one may think. “It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to make a name. But it is very profitable in the long run. I enjoy working in Nollywood and I don’t intend on stopping soon,” he said.

The TV series is a riveting tale of the politics of Savannah State. Angela with the help of her trusted chief of staff, she learns how to maneuver through the rough and shark-infested waters of politics whilst balancing the demands of her matrimonial home.

Set in Savannah, a coastal state in Western Africa established in 1964 and extremely rich in iron ore and known for its widely spaced grassland with temperate weather conditions and unique tourist attractions,

The state has a population of 15 million people majority of who are fishermen and farmers. The rich cultural diversity and political awareness of the people makes it one of the most politically active states in the country.