RMD shares success story at 56

Nollywood actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, on Thursday shared his success story to celebrate turning 56.

While many know him as one of the most successful actors in the Nigerian movie industry, the former Delta State commissioner for culture and tourism has had a life of struggle and challenges.

In a message posted on Instagram, the man popularly known as RMD wrote “Patoranking’s ‘Nobody wey nor fit to make am o’ is the apt theme song for my life as I celebrate my 56th birthday today.”

He went on to describe his life’s journey from “Welfare Road Warri, Delta State to the Silver Screen.”

RMD, who lost his first wife, May Ellen-Ezekiel in 1996, has been married to former Miss Jumobi Adegbesan since January 2000.

Looking back, he wrote, “There’s been a marriage, a painful death, another blessed marriage, joyous births and more academic pursuits and degrees.”

He also made reference to his eight years sojourn in government.

Patoranking’s “Nobody wey nor fit to make am o” is the apt theme song for my life as I celebrate my 56th birthday today. From Welfare Road Warri, Delta State to the Silver Screen, it’s been an often times surreal experience that anyone who has made it from a similar place of obscurity can relate to. I believe my journey, like most journeys to greatness usually start from self belief. It’s hard for me to believe I have done 34 years post graduation. There’s been struggles, uncertainties, living abroad seeking greener pastures, returning home, businesses have risen, flourished and some fallen. There’s been a marriage, a painful death, another blessed marriage, joyous births and more academic pursuits and degrees. There’s been my sojourn in government for 8 years, the birth of my precious grandchildren and the return that was first scary till I felt the overwhelming love and support of my ever growing fan base. What a journey. What a packed 56years. I am indeed grateful and thankful. No, I didn’t wake up like this (as RMD), No, I didn’t always know that I would “make it”. It’s been Faith, Hard work, Self development and more work. But above all I have been more graced than my efforts could ever have done which is why in this journey, God is my ride or die and today I return all the glory to Him.

A post shared by Richard Mofe-Damijo RMD (@mofedamijo) on Jul 6, 2017 at 12:44am PDT

Born in Aladja community of Udu Kingdom, near Warri, Delta State, RMD attended Midwest College, Warri and Anglican Grammar School and was a member of the Drama Club.

The actor-turned lawyer-turned politician studied theatre art at the University of Benin before going for another degree in law at the University of Lagos.

His film credits include Out of Bounds, Diamond Ring, Keeping Faith, Private Sins, The Wedding Party and Okafor’s Law.

He was named best male actor at the maiden edition of the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) in 2005.