Nollywood has a lot of veterans that have been gracing the decades. Among those that haven’t faded into background is Shaffy Bello.
The American-born Nigerian actress shot into the limelight after her collaboration with Seyi Sodimu for the 1997 hit love song “Love Me Jeje”.
Since then, the multi-talented Shaffy Bello has starred in dozens of movies and series like “Tinsel” and “Gbomo Gbomo Express”. She is considered a high-profile actress and a timeless sex icon.
During her hilarious interview with BBC Pidgin, Bello answered questions about her life. The actress gave fans some insight into the kind of person she is.
Among the questions was the bravest thing she has ever done in her life. To this, she answered that it was leaving her family in America and starting a new life in Nigeria. She then said it was not bravery, but fate.
Most Nigerians would joke that the saddest place in Nigeria was the arrivals lounge at the airport. But Shaffy Bello says she has no regrets and relocating to Nigeria was the best thing she ever did.
It is unusual to have a Nigerian express preference for Nigeria over literally anywhere else. Most people would prefer a place with systems that work, but we guess that to Bello, there is no place like home.
Maybe it has something to do with her not growing up in Nigeria. Many Nigerians who did not send their formative years in the country tend to have a longing for their roots.
The search for origin and identity leads them back home and it seems like structure and working systems do not make up for a sense of belonging.
So despite our general disdain and hunger for the abroad, perhaps there is some happiness to be found right here at home.