Why I’m No Longer Scared of Poverty – Chinedu ‘Aki’ Ikedieze

Seasoned Nigerian actor, Chinedu Ikedieze also known as Aki, has said poverty no longer scares him even though it used to be his greatest fear.

He stated confidently that he works very hard and is certain that he and poverty will never have a relationship again.

Chinedu, who spoke in an interview, said; “Obviously, no one would want to dare poverty if one had had a face-off with it in the past (laughs). I work hard every day to keep poverty at arm’s length. I’m sure we (me and poverty) don’t have a relationship anymore.”

When asked why he and his bossom friend, Osita”Pawpaw” Iheme, played a lot of stereotypical roles in the early years, the comic actor said they were just doing their jobs.

He said; “It is nothing. We were just enjoying ourselves as actors. Although some people may call it stereotypical roles, they should understand that we were paid to interpret those roles, and we did that convincingly.”

Speaking on actors being criticised for flaunting wealth, considering the level of poverty, Ikedieze said;

“The truth is that they (actors) make the money and know the weight of their pockets. As such, they choose how to spend it. For me, being benevolent is a natural thing. If one does not have it, one cannot give it.”