| Sam Loco Efe |
Nollywood Actor Sam Loco Efe, Born December 25, 1939 into the family of Arase at Ogboka, in Benin Kingdom, Baby Sam counld not envisage what the future had in stock for
him as very little attention was paid to his education. But he was determined
to sort out life from every sphere of human endeavor.
The
Civil war brought young Sam back from the East to Benin City in 1968, where he
resided with Pa Aghedo. As the wind of the war began to settle down in 1969, he
joined the then ECN, now PHCN as a footballer. Sam mesmerized his opponents on
the pitch of play at his pace that earned him the name Locomotiv, which he
later adapted as Loco.
He was certainly not a man who
had interest in long names as even Efeimwonkiekie was abbreviated to Efe, which gave many, the impression that he was of Delta origin.
When football was no longer a
choice endeavor for ECN, attempts were made to convert his employment to a
casual labour status. But young Sam Loco Efe was a man who had an appointment with destiny. He quit ECN and
matched on to Lagos.
In
Lagos, Dunlop (Nig) Ltd was the first to identify Sam’s burning desire to get
on the springboard that is to take him to greater height in later years. Dunlop
engaged him and brought him back to Benin City as a sales representative.One of
the rules of engagement was a Volkswagen Beetle car. This was good in his eyes.
Since, he learnt that there is no killing the beetle.
Sam combined his life ambition
in acting with his job. His early exploits on command performances on stage
brought him to the realization that only acting could replace his love for
football. He was a beauty to see in the play, Oba Ewuakpe. Thus, Sam Loco Efe discovered his springboard that was to launch him to the world of
fame.
That
he left his salesmanship job for the theater did not just happen. He was a
natural performer of the sort that are born to the trade. Sam could not have
been anything else but a classical thespian, who took the art to such heights
of brilliance and style that added greatly to the true life situation he was
imitating.
Discovered
by Jonathan Ihonde, producer of the sitcom, Hotel De Jordan in the early 70’s.
Sam Loco Efe was initially cast as Piccado-Suberu and quickly given a more
prominent role as Ukatabribri.
This
brought him to limelight as Hotel De Jordan, along with Village Headmaster from
the West. The Masquerade from the East, were the longest running sitcoms in
Nigeria. Equipped with these experiences, sam Loco Efe walked tall into the
Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC)77, the second edition of the African’s
biggest Black Festivals of Arts and Culture.
He
rose with an outstanding performance in Langbodo, Nigeria’s drama presentation
in FESTAC 77.Langbodo was the magic wand, the key that opened the door to a
wonderful career that was to flourish until death 35 memorable years later.
This
rescued his education as his clinical interpretation of the roles that fell to
him to play at FESTAC 77 got him an admission into the University of Ibadan,
where he emerged a humorist per excellence; a stage craftsman; and a video
impresario, clinching a diploma in Theatre Arts Department.
This
veteran Thespian was in the cast of The Gods Are Not To Blame and Things Fall
Apart. He set up The United Artistes theatre Workshop in 1977 alongside Felix
Ogie, Prof Eghosa Osaghae, Uwa Osunbor and Dr. Uyi Lawal Usewanlele (USA-based
lecturer).
With
his experience and in company of Ben Risky Okoeguale, Sam toured secondary
schools with repertoire of two-man act, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead. In the video world
of Nollywood, Sam Loco took centre stage.
He
was one of the best artiste Nollywood ever produced. Sam loco unarguably
bestrode three generations of Nigerian Performing Artistes speaking basically
all Nigerian languages. Sam Loco Efe, even after his death has become an
international brand worthy of celebration.
As
age began to show its face, Sam turned philosophical. Even in the dialogue that
crept into his lines, he started to reveal his basic philosophy of life. First
and foremost, he was an impulsive giver, giving out of his pocket without
regard for the value of money. This is because he loved to share his happiness
with others.
Sam
Loco was the father of six children including Mrs. Sandra Ebun Leonardo; Bola
Adesuwa Efe; Bismarck Nosa Efe; Julia Orobosa Omozusi; Precious Osariemen Efe
and Omoruyi Efe.
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