Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has said she has no desire to leave Nigeria, describing the country as home and the place that made her who she is today.
She made the remarks during a panel discussion at “20+ Years in the Media: Real Talk with Kike @7.”
Bello, who previously lived in the United States, stated that while America trained her, Nigeria shaped her identity and career.
“America trained me, but Nigeria made me,” she said.
Responding to a question about what could give young people hope as they build careers in the country, the actress said she continues to see opportunities in Nigeria despite its challenges.
“I pray I never get the opportunity, as they call it, to go back,” she said. “Yes, you’ll say because I’ve done it before. I’ve been there before. Yes, I agree with that. But because of the opportunities that I’ve seen in this country, and I am still seeing, I don’t ever want to go back. This is home, this is where it is.”
Bello acknowledged the frustrations many Nigerians face daily, including problems with electricity, education and healthcare. She, however, encouraged young people to invest in themselves and make use of the opportunities available to them.
“Look within yourself, what do you have to offer? What is in your hands? Whatever it is that is in your hands to offer, study, learn and prove yourself worthy of it,” she said.
The actress also stressed the importance of authenticity, saying it had helped sustain her long career in the entertainment industry.
“For me to be here for so many years, first of all, I have to be authentic to who I am. If you lie, you keep having to remember the lies, if you tell the truth, it’s easy,” she added.
Bello further advised young people to hold on to their faith while pursuing their dreams.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
