RMD Hits 50!

By ‘Dayo Farore

Going on 50, Delta State’s Commissioner for Commerce & Tourism, Richard Mofe – Damijo will in a few days hit the golden stage in every man’s life. Born Tuesday, July 6, 1961 in Warri, RMD will definitely count his many blessings from the screen to the seat of an honorable commissioner.

RMD Started his professional Nollywood career with Ripples, a TV soap opera after successful completion of his NYSC service in Bauchi State. His first lead role was  in The Last Omen even though many believe he rose to fame with  his role in the classic soap opera, Checkmate where he played Segun Kadiri alongside iconic stars like Liz Benson and Segun Arinze.

However, his years at the university back in ’82 witnessed a great theatrical success with him playing Emeka, a lead character in the drama Echoes of Wrath, which recorded his break into on-screen significance and the drama later won the NTA National Annual Drama Competition. A stint with Concord News as a reporter, and later Classique Magazine (where he met his first wife, the late Mee Mofe-Damijo). He also had a brief stint as a publisher, with his ‘Mister’ magazine which he would later sell off.

Over the years, the Nollywood legend has featured in over 40 movies which include; When God Says Yes with Pete Edochie & Stella Damascus – Aboderin, The Legend with Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Danger Signal with Desmond Elliot, Critical Decision with Genevieve Nnaji & Stephanie Okereke, Bridge-Stone with Liz Benson & Zack Orji, Indecent Girl with Ini Edo, Indecent Act with Rita Dominic and Critical Assignment with international star, Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Hotel Rwanda 2004, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End 2007, X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2009, The Fourth Kind 2009).

Hon. Richard Mofe-Damijo without doubt is an example of an average Nigerian man who looked life in the face and dared against all odds and from where he stands today; he is a true Made Man. Amongst his many achievements is the historical commendable credit of bagging the Best Actor prize at the maiden edition Africa Movie Academy Awards  in 2005.