…Says “My mum used to wake us up at 4:00 a.m daily and tell us that people do not sleep when the sun is out.”
By Agatha Emeadi
Agatha Amata is a screen diva that held her audience captive during her popular television talk show in the 90s called ‘Inside-Out with Agatha.’
The show changed the narratives for many people.
Amata said in an interview with Sunday Sun that “Inside-Out with Agatha” was the voice of the voiceless.
Now that Inside-Out with Agatha is rested. What next?
I have a private radio station in Asaba called Trend-FM, which is the first private station in the state. I also have Rave-TV in Lagos, Rave films which does movies and series for African Magic. There is also Inside-Out Foundation, which started as a result of the talk show. The Foundation has grown into something really big, we have over 2000 widows, single mothers we do ‘Touch a heart’ programme at the end of the year. We also support them with scholarships for the very bright ones the much we can. These are things that keep me busy for now.
How did you get into the entertainment industry?
I have always had flair for the entertainment world. I used to love watching talk shows and big shows in my younger years. At the time Oprah was one of the most known among others. I always wondered what it will be like to do something like that here. I was very interested in talking to people and finding out things. When I got married and got close to media and entertainment, I asked why there was no talk show that existed at a time and I would like to do one. That was what gave birth to Inside-Out-with Agatha in 1997.
How did you rise to stardom?
Am I a star?
Yes, you are.
Well, entertainment and fame have never really been part of me. The glamour of Inside-Out with Agatha was never in my consciousness. I was more interested with the impact the talk show made. The fact that we could use it to solve problems, get government to the table where an ordinary man could talk to a government official and we could find solution to problems. You know then, there was no social media and there was no phone when we started. Phone came in between. Inside-Out with Agatha was the voice for the voiceless. We were able to bring people and bring issues to the fore before the advent of social media. What we did then was what social media is doing now. It was solving problems and for me that was what was in my consciousness more than being a celebrity or a glamour girl. That was far from me. Inside-Out was an education that no school would have taught me. Having to go to places I never thought I would go to and enter some places that people would behave so they would not be the next topic. The talkshow was more of a vocation than a glamourous job. We had to go solve cases of domestic violence, working with government at the time, child abuse cases. There were so much to do because people were coming to my office to lay various complaints. Pensioners who had not been paid for months depended on us to speak on their behalf. It was more like activism than the glamour of television. Then the TV was the avenue through which messages were sent out.
Why did you stop Inside-Out with Agatha?
After over 20 years, I found out that I was dealing with a generation I do not understand. A lot of people who started with me had grown, were leaving and I was sort of not connected to that generation and for the show to be effective, one has to communicate in the language that all will understand.
I was beginning to sound as a lecturer instead of communicating and conversing. The Generation Z stuff joined and the language became very different. Meanwhile Inside-Out from the onset was about people and not me. So, when I could not connect, I knew it was time for me to leave the stage. Because they were in their own world, I felt if the talkshow must continue, a younger fellow in that generation would continue and have the impact it had at my own time. Then it had to be a different generation that will suit and match their way. But the idea, vision, morals and the things the new anchor believed in did not align with the vision of the programme. At the end of the day, we just called it a day because I did not want the programme to derail. A lot of people have suggested various ways to resurrect Inside-Out with Agatha, thinking it is needed most now. I feel there is a language for every generation, the language our parents used for us cannot work for the present generation. One must communicate in the language that they will understand. Even as I raised someone to step in and take that position, it was not the same because the idea was not hers.
But it could be resurrected?
By who?
By Agatha Amata…
I have been under a pressure to make it an online thing, YouTube and all that, but if your job becomes a job, and no longer a passion, it becomes very cumbersome. So many people have suggested different ways for the ressurection, but I think I have protegee’s who are also doing very well. I just feel that something has left me. The way I used to carry Inside-Out is no longer there. The new way is not working for me anymore.
How is the society treating you as an entertainer? Share an experience.
When one does what he or she really loves, one might not know the impact it has on people. I did not know I have tremendous amount of goodwill and a lot of respect existed. From very episodes that warmed my heart, a few stood out like sore fingers. Sometime, I went into a bank, a security man quietly tapped and asked me, ‘Are you Agatha Amata?’ I said yes. Next, Ma please, can I just shake your hand because you inspired me to go back to school and do better with my life. I said really, thank you. Again, many years ago, a painter who was painting my office, would intermittently stop to stare at me. Boldly, he summoned courage and came and asked me ‘Ma, are you that woman on television, I said, yes, he prostrated flat for me and I wondered. I asked him, have I met you before? He said no, but this paint I am doing now is because of you. He went down memory lane and told me his story. “I came to this town and was leaving a family who accused me of stealing while I was innocent. They drove me out of the house. At that young age, I was going to kill myself because I was not seeing light from any angle. People back home were relying on me to do well, while I was living in disgrace for something I did not do; so, I was determined to die that day. But I said let me sit somewhere and wait till night when I will carry out my plans without anyone seeing me. Then, I went into a shanty place that had a TV screen and your talkshow programme came up. That day’s topic was “You can be anything you want to be in life.’ You had a guest who runs a small chop company and he narrated his own story of how he would trek to do presentation. At such offices, he would get to their conveniences to freshen up, change his shirt before he starts his presentation. I listened to the man and how he got his first job. Another one talked about how they started their business without anything. I watched that programme to the end. At the end of that programme, it was as if you were talking to me directly especially when you said: “It does not matter where you are today, nobody can determine how far you will go in life, you are the only person who could do that. The only person you owe is God. If you believe in yourself and ability, you can make it.” I got up from that seat a different person from the person who sat down earlier. While his family sent him packing, he looked across and noticed a small church, walked up to them and narrated his story. The pastor permitted him to sleep and later they employed him as a cleaner for the church. He started making little money from members as he cleans the church. “Today Ma, I am into paint manufacturing and paint houses on contract. I am married with children and have to thank you for all these.” I said, no, all thanks to God in heaven. You heard that message and used it well, unlike some people who would hear and turn a deaf ear. It was stories like this that made me realize that ‘Inside-Out with Agatha’ was not just a programme or about me, it was a vessel that God used to change narratives. I have many stories while presenting ‘Inside-out’ that also changed my life because I saw a lot. Sometimes, when I listen to the likes of Oprah and co, I realised that you cannot do what you do without being changed. It changes you as a human being, gives you a different perspective, sense of what life is about. Everything in me today that has changed my life revolves around Inside-Out.
What opportunity has it brought to you?
It brought me goodwill. Being on television means that people will know you because of what you do. It is easier for one to get things done. For me, it was possible to use that and grow like using it for media consultancy for companies, state governments, government parastatals especially because I could deliver. I did not really have to sell myself that much because they already knew who I was. It opened the right doors and the right conversations and gave me the needed respectability. When I enter somewhere, my opinion was heard because they already know what I represented. When we used to go to police stations to help women with kids, my presence makes things to be done properly. Or maybe I have gone to a hospital to help someone, once they see me, they knew what I represented. It gave me respect, access and opportunity to do what I am supposed to do.
Parents then preferred professionals like doctors, lawyers, engineers etc. What was your parent’s reaction when you ventured into entertainment and now that you have made it?
Well, my dad is late. We lost him quite early, when I was in Form 2. Everybody in the family knew I loved to talk, in fact, they thought I would have been a lawyer. I have always been strong-willed and very opinionated. I think my journey is a natural cause, the kind of thing I was doing. Maybe, if I was acting, there might be some kind of opposition, but with talkshow, I did not face any disapproval. Everybody thought it was in line with my character. Again, I was already married and was not a child that needed approval from his or her parents. I did not face any kind of opposition?
How was growing up? Talk about your family.
I am the first child in a family of seven. I was really close to my father who I lost very early. A lot of my character was shaped by my father who encouraged me to be the best version of myself. With my father I will always campaign for what I wanted. He would tell me if you can convince me, you will get it. So, I learnt very early to stand up for what I believe in because of him. My father was an accountant while my mother was an educationist, but worked with the Nigerian Airforce. My mother was a super strict disciplinarian. We lost her few years ago. With my mum, even as an undergraduate, outing was a no-no for me. She would come and check on you on campus unannounced. She would send her military friends to check on us. When my friends are going out, I am not allowed. It got to the point I was asking myself, did this woman adopt me? Are you sure she is my mother? She was so strict. You cannot disobey my mother, a boy cannot call you on phone or visit you, you will be in trouble if it happens. It took a while before my mother relaxed. Her reason was that so no one will say ‘I did not train you well.’ My mum used to wake us up at 4:00 a.m daily and tell us that people do not sleep when the sun is out. We would be sleepily standing, asking what should we be doing; ‘Go and look for something to do.’ Even when there was nothing to do. This was the kind of training we grew up with in our household. All chores were compulsorily done by the seven of us, including cooking. The feeling then was that our mummy disliked us, but today we all are full of praises of what she did with us. All my brothers cook very well. The day that boys will cook, my mum made it compulsory for them to cook Egusi soup and pounded yam. The hard one because they are boys. There was no segregation; one cannot stay with my mother and live in a dirty environment. Neighbours’ disobedient children were drafted to my mother for basic training. Our home then was a welcomed place. She would tell us that in life the day Garri was available, we all drink it, the day we are blessed with fried rice, chicken and salad, we all eat it. The stomach knows no food, rather than it has been fed.
What advice would you give to upcoming entertainers?
Whatever it is one wants to do, be serious and learn it. I see a lot of people on TV and radio who do not take the pain to learn English. People mistake phonetics for English. Sometimes on radio, people will put ‘R’ where it is not needed and it disturbs my ear. One does not need phonetics to speak English. Some others speak phonetics and the bullet in the English is terrible. Phonetics cannot cover up for lack of knowledge. I see people who do not research their craft, but just want to see fame and glamour. They refuse to go through the rudiment. A fine dress, make-up and phonetics cannot cover up lack of education. There is a need to hold your craft. There is a need for the present generation to learn their craft. The work must be done. The people on Sky News do not speak phonetics, but standard English. Your audience are not fools; they listen as well. Be a master of your craft.
