comedian basorge explains ailment scare.
I’ve Not Done Any Surgery For My Ailment –Basorge
Basorge Tariah Jnr. is an entertainer who has stood the test of time in his 25 years in Nigeria’s showbiz industry. He opened up to Patrick Uwalaka about his recent health scare which saw him paying visits to a London hospital and why he wants to remain relevant by discovering talents for the industry.
What has been happening to you?
I have been living and surviving like anyone else, doing my thing (Laughs).
Recently, you travelled to London for a life saving operation. How did it go?
I travelled, but the truth of the matter is that I haven’t done any operation.
So what did you travel to London for?
I have been travelling for business purpose, to also have my medical treatments and follow up and I haven’t really done any surgery.
Can you throw more light on this medical condition that has been taking you out of the country?
It’s has been widely reported by the media; I don’t know what else to say that would be new. I suffered Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT); it is also common knowledge that this was noticed when Ihad a heart attack in one of my trips to work in London. When I came back home, doctors realised that I had this ailment and advised I pursue treatment abroad. That is what I have been doing. They are doing everything in their power to see to it that I am well and okay. I cannot afford to stay there permanently while receiving treatment. That is the reason for my frequent trips to London.
Is this ailment life threatening ?
I read a few articles, especially that by Olumide Iyanda (Saturday Independent), which was more correct than some others. Of course, DVT is life threatening but even malaria is life threatening. It’s how you handle it that matters.
I am on medication. I don’t know for how long I will be taking my drugs, for now, I am looking up to God who is by my side in my present travails.
Can you recollect how this started?
It started from a football match I played as part of a friend’s 40th birthday celebration. In the process, I had a dislocation. I travelled abroad for a show and decided to wear a kneecap. That was my mistake.
I wore it for more than necessary, cutting blood flow to the upper region of my body, and caused blood that was supposed to flow from the upper region to be stagnant. That was how the heart attack came up and I started suffering from the Deep Vein Thrombosis.
How challenging has it been for you and how have you been coping with your job?
Very well. Most of my efforts and endeavours have always been in my brain, so I have been creative all this while.
My family has taken the situation well. Friends have done well; those who have come as fans have also done well. Those who felt that I needed some form of support too. Those in the media have let people know what I have been going through and also friends back home .
Along the line, you will also be surprised by some few angels. Human beings are indeed angels if they want to be. I have gotten all the love and support especially from my family, my wife, my sisters, my parents and cousins.
How were you able to raise funds for your trip abroad?
I have always been hard working and I have also saved what I earn.
I have kept something for the rainy day. A few persons decided to become angels; there is one whom I will simply refer to as my Oga.
He openly supported me and showed me that he will always be there for me. A couple of other friends like David Anuku and Tope Ezekiel, who actually took me to the hospital. My wife and my kids have also provided funds; some of the money I used was taken from their accounts but God is repaying everybody who has come to my aid.
Recently, you were spotted in a club at night enjoying yourself, so are you now okay for such things?
I rarely go to the club. So, it is not as if I have resumed night life. If by chance you see me in the night, know that certain friends have compelled me to put up an appearance. But night life is not my style and I don’t intend to start one now.
On New Year’s Eve, media reports had it that you and some other entertainers escaped death in Port Harcourt. Tell us how it happened.
Well I do not know where it all came up; it’s not my place to mention where the incident took place.
But you were there?
The militants attacked a lot of places on that day, but the truth is that I was somewhere (I will not want to mention the name because I don’t want to give the establishment a bad name). I was somewhere with the likes of Sam Dede, Opa Williams, Yibo Koko and a few other people at the lobby of the hotel, and I was able to rescue myself and also Opa Williams.
We heard you performed a heroic feat ?
It was not a heroic feat
But you raced to where he was, grabbed him and threw him into the elevator to prevent stray bullets from reaching him?
People were running in different directions. I thought it was a stupid thing to go into the elevator but when I got there, I pushed the button and it opened instantly. Then I realised that I needed a second miracle to close the elevator fast and just then I saw Opa. I managed to pull him in and we both hit the sixth floor and found ourselves at the roof of the building. We have not stopped giving God the glory.
Tell us something about The Basorge Academy where you train young talented Nigerians for the arts and showbiz?
It’s being excellent. The academy is not a physical structure per say, it’s not like I have a building which houses it.
I have operated it as an idea and have done well for so many people who have either taken to comedy, music or acting. And like I always say, the only thing that I always brag about is that I have 25 years experience in showbiz. I have excelled in all the facets of the industry like music. I was greatly involved in the discovery of Timaya.
Everything that concerns the writing, production of the chart single currently ruling the airwaves is my effort. This has led to my establishing my record label, Basorge Records.
My achievements are there. Look at the likes of Frank Edoho, Teju Baby Face; the people I have trained are performing excellently.
This is what I do, and I don’t do it for money because I hope to offer young people confidence. It’s more than just training, and it’s making people believe that they have something inside of them that can help them excel in life.
Looking at Nollywood, what has being your achievement?
I have always said that it is not quantity but quality that matters. I have done excellent movies which are outstanding.
For me, the beauty of it all is for people to remember me for certain works I have done, outstanding achievements.
In movies like Playing Games, My Guy, Warri Connection, Hit and Run, Hilda Dokubo’s Campus Tale, Judgment Day, Domittila, Candle Light, and Do Good, I see that I have been involved in works that will remain evergreen and will be referred to as masterpieces. That is the glory for me.
I am fulfilled as an actor and recently I did a movie titled Grand Mother.
You have a very beautiful family and this must give you a lot of joy.
The joy is something I cannot quantify. I never knew that life could be this beautiful. I thought I needed everything to be a father; to be rich, but I started my life with my wife in a very small apartment, with no television set and all that.
She saw in me one quality and I love her from the bottom of my heart. I was also scared of being in that condition and bringing up kids properly.
I am where I am because I have planned. Marriage and my wife taught me to plan. Being focussed has placed me where I am today.
I have no point to prove to anybody. I have chased the finest chicks around, I have told the finest lies, gone to the finest of clubs, put on the finest clothes, now let me live the best form of life as a family man. This is what I am doing presently.
When did you make your first million as an entertainer?
My first million must have been made long ago when I was 16.
How true is this?
What I mean is that I must have made it as a dancer back then. I drove my first car then; a beetle. But I am someone who has looked at my achievements and placed a value on them. I don’t look at the money.
source:independent online
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