Two years after announcing her retirement, the renowned Yoruba actress Kudirat Odukanmi, popularly known as Iyabo Oko, has made a triumphant comeback to the industry.
In 2017, news spread about the actress being flown to India for treatment following a stroke that had affected her for nearly two years. After her recovery, she returned to Nigeria briefly but later moved to the UK in 2018, gradually fading away from the limelight.
During her time in India, journalist Gbolahan Adetayo reported on her intention to retire permanently from acting and focus solely on producing when she returned to Nigeria. However, despite her health challenges, her children planned other business ventures for her while allowing her to continue acting occasionally.
According to recent reports by Gossipinfo, the actress has fully returned to acting and was spotted at the location of her kid brother, Saheed Fashola’s movie titled ‘Abo,’ meaning protection. Since then, she has been actively participating in various film projects.
During an interview, Iyabo Oko revealed the ordeal she went through while she was sick, losing her voice and weight during the period. She disclosed that her child took her to the UK for treatment, where a therapist helped her regain her voice, and later she traveled to India for further treatment. Her ailment forced her to take a two-year hiatus from the movie scene.
In her 45-year journey in the industry, Iyabo Oko expressed gratitude to God for the success she achieved as an actress. She recalled an unfortunate incident where thieves stole her first movie, causing her to lose her hard-earned money and the film’s master tape.
The actress also explained that the abusive roles she often played in movies were not a reflection of her real personality but rather the demand of producers who appreciated her talent in such roles. She credited her versatility and ability to interpret movie roles for earning her more roles in the industry.
When asked about the changes in the movie industry over the past 45 years, Iyabo Oko mentioned the shift from staged plays to movies and the detrimental impact of piracy on movie makers’ livelihoods. She called on the government to take action against piracy to improve the actors’ lives and provide a stable means of livelihood.
Finally, Iyabo Oko appreciated Foluke Daramola’s idea of honoring veterans in the industry and prayed for the government’s support in complementing such initiatives. She believed that with collective efforts, actors could lead better lives and support themselves more effectively.