Renowned actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, widely known as RMD, has acknowledged that the foundational values taught by his mother, alongside the profound mentorship of literary icons Wole Soyinka and J.P. Clark, played a pivotal role in shaping his personal discipline and outlook on life.
According to Punch, RMD spoke about his upbringing, career and personal values at a recent event, where he reflected on the lessons he received from his mother while growing up.
The actor said his mother constantly reminded him of his background and the responsibility that came with representing his family.
“Growing up, I was deeply attached to my mother. I do not know if it was because I was an only child, but she constantly reminded me of where I came from and the responsibility that came with it. She drilled one statement into me: ‘Don’t forget whose child you are,’” he said.
“That stayed with me. She nurtured me and taught me that, at different points in our lives, we represent different people, families and institutions.”
RMD also recalled how his education and encounters with prominent Nigerian literary figures helped shape his sense of discipline, particularly his attitude towards time and responsibility.
“I was also fortunate to have been well trained in the schools I attended and by the people I had the opportunity to work with. They taught me the importance of discipline, punctuality and responsibility,” he said.
He said punctuality had remained an important personal principle, adding that he learnt from people who consistently demonstrated the value of keeping to time.
“Timeliness is important to me. If someone tells you to be somewhere at 8 o’clock, you should get there by 7:30. That way, when they encounter you, you are already prompt and ready to take off,” RMD said.
The actor recalled working with J.P. Clark as a resident actor at the J.K. Randle Centre in 1984, as well as his experience working with Soyinka as a director.
“I was privileged to work with people who embodied those values. In 1984, I encountered Professor J.P. Clark as a resident actor at the J.K. Randle Centre. I also had the opportunity to encounter Wole Soyinka as a director,” he said.
“If you have encountered Soyinka, you would understand what I mean. If he says 4pm and you get there at 3:30pm, he is already there.”
RMD said his experiences with such personalities influenced the way he conducts himself professionally and personally.
“Those are the kinds of people I have had the opportunity to work with, and I imbibed that culture. I hope that those who encounter me will also be conscious of what they can learn from me,” he said.
Speaking on Nigeria’s independence and his years in public service, the actor said he had always tried to conduct himself in a manner that reflected the larger institutions and communities he represented.
“I have always tried to live by one principle. I overcompensate by trying to make sure that I am proper in everything that I do. At different stages of our lives, we represent something bigger than ourselves. The question is, what is it that you carry inside you, and who do you represent?” he said.
RMD, who served in government for eight years, said the experience exposed him to both the potential of public service and the challenges within the system.
“I served government for eight years, and during that period, I realised that government has tremendous potential for good. You see that you have the ability to change things for good, but the system is sometimes built in such a way that when good people come into it, if their values are not deeply rooted, the system can suck them in,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience in government, he said he initially sought to change attitudes within the system but eventually learnt the importance of knowing when to pursue change from outside.
“When I came into government, I was determined to fight to change the attitude that some people brought into the system. That experience taught me something important: if you can’t fight the system, get out and go build somewhere else,” RMD said.
What You Should Know
Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo opened up about his upbringing, highlighting how his mother’s constant reminders of family representation and his professional interactions with literary legends Wole Soyinka and J.P. Clark ingrained strict values of punctuality and accountability in him. He also reflected on his tenure in government, offering insights into the complexities of public service and the necessity of building change outside flawed systems.
- Positive Impact: Serves as an inspiring reminder to readers and upcoming professionals on the immense value of integrity, time management, and ethical representation in any career.
- Potential Concerns: Highlights the frustrations good individuals face within poorly structured government systems, shedding light on systemic challenges in public administration.
