Mike Bamiloye and son, Damilola
Damilola is the son of popular drama evangelist, Mike Bamiloye. He talks about his father’s passion with Punchng
Tell us briefly about yourself
I am Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, the first child of Evangelist Mike and Gloria Bamiloye. I graduated from Bowen University where I studied mass communication. I currently work in the ministry.
You have acted in some of your father’s films, did he influence you in that regard?
Yes, the influence came from him. Growing up in an environment where one experienced the challenges, fun, rigours and blessings of stage drama, outreaches and film productions, would automatically influence one. As a little child, during late night film shootings, dad often sent my younger brother and I to our rooms but we were thrilled and we preferred spying and looking at what was happening than sleeping.
It was because of the influence back then that we (Mount Zion children) began enacting some of the movies during our playtime. For example, I could act as ‘Ishawuru’ today, one person would act as ‘Sister Mary’ and another person would play the role of ‘Brother Gbenro.’ Someone would hold a fake camera and call, “action!” to signal the start of acting.
We are all grown now and one of us in the ministry married. It is impossible to deviate from the ministry and the calling because we ate the ministry’s food, drank ministry’s water and it was ministry’s money that was used to send us all to school.
Did your father also encourage your other siblings on their career choice?
Yes, he did. Dad discovered the gift of music in my younger brother even before he became a teenager. One day he bought us a little keyboard and my brother, Joshua was fonder of it than any of us. Every day he played it and every day, he got better. This made dad buy a bigger one, specifically for him. He became a master at that one too. Dad kept upgrading his keyboard as he got better. Right now, he scores Mount Zion movies and some other gospel movies. My sister also has a passion for reading and editing scripts. Although she is the last born, she has a better grasp of English than my brother and I. That is why dad encouraged her to study English for her first degree. I started acting since I was two. But his encouragement was not just for me to be an actor but a drama minister. In my third year at the university, I had a strong passion to make a movie for the school through the drama group but I didn’t know how to go about it. I called him and he encouraged me to pursue it. I did and it became a success.
During my youth service, the passion came again to make a movie for corps members with the drama group of the Nigeria Christian Corpers Fellowship. I called him for advice and he told me that it was possible. That encouragement made the movie, “Shadows of Death,” possible.
What memory of your growing up can you recall?
There were so many and to say them all will be to write a novel out of them. We grew up in Ile-Ife, Osun State. That was a period of lack. We didn’t have much but we were happy. I remember any time I asked for anything, my dad would say, ‘There is no money.’ But he would add “God will provide.” Though it might take some time, he would give me what I requested. Our parents didn’t paint a negative picture about life. One day, as kids, we were hungry and there was nothing at home. Dad went out to buy “eko” (pap). He poured it in a bowl and garnished it with milk, Milo, sugar and made it delicious. He packaged it well and called us joyfully, “children come and take chocolate pap.” We were so happy. We thought he bought it in a supermarket. We didn’t know it was locally-made. Another experience was when he told my younger brother to give away his priceless keyboard. Joshua did, but unknown to him; dad had bought a better keyboard for him. He wanted to teach him the principles of giving and receiving.
How does he make time for his family?
He is a very busy man but he makes it up during Easter, Christmas periods and other holidays. When we were small, mum stayed at home and looked after us while dad travelled for ministrations and outreaches. But right now, it is like everyone is busy because I travel with him most of the time as his personal assistant. My brother is currently observing the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps scheme and my sister is in school. We all come together during holidays. He enjoys taking us out for picnics especially during holidays. It was what he did when we were young and he still does it. It is really funny how he doesn’t pay attention to the people staring at him in public but we feel a little shy even when no one is really looking at us.
How does he relax at home?
He watches television and communicates with mum a lot. In the evening, they hold hands and stroll round the compound discussing. He also enjoys cooking. He is a great cook. Sometimes, when he is less busy, he tells mum to relax while he takes over the kitchen and turns us to assistant chefs.
What values have you learnt from him?
The first value I learnt from him is humility. He is a very humble man and that made me understand that no matter the height one feels he or she has attained, there is always more to climb. His humility challenged me not to be satisfied with the present. Being moderate is another value I have learnt from him. The most important is his relationship with God and devotion to prayers. His faith in God is so strong and unshakable. Sometimes, he would say God says something will happen even though circumstances may be saying otherwise. But in the end, God’s word will prevail.
How has his name helped you?
It has opened doors for us on many occasions. We get more attention because of who our father is. It has also helped us to behave well because there is an expectation on us as his children.
What are the values your father cherishes?
Humility as I earlier stated. He doesn’t joke with integrity. He is so passionate about mission work and that challenges me a lot. He derives much joy in taking gospel drama to other nations and he is happy when he is watching a gospel movie. He is a very patient person and he can also teach one patience, especially when one is anxious to get something. He is never in a hurry to get something. He is a very diligent and hard working man. He is a giver. He sows a lot into kingdom work. He hates dishonesty with a passion. He believes a man must know how to cook and do house chores.
How does he handle disagreements with your mother?
Dad loves mum so passionately. The two are a perfect match. They don’t fight or quarrel but I have noticed that when mum blows hot, daddy blows cold and when daddy blows hot, mummy blows cold. I have never seen the two of them blow hot at the same time.
What impression of him do you have seeing his films?
It is a challenge to me because I know that we are the next generation but he is not resting yet. I know that there is a lot of work to be done.
Who are your father’s friends?
Mount Zion is made up of eight families who have been together for almost thirty years. His best friends are the daddies and mummies in Mount Zion.
How does he discipline erring children?
He is not as strict or hard as some people assume. When we were young, he used the cane but now he lashes at us with his words. His verbal lashing is more painful than the cane.
How do you feel being his child?
It is a great privilege to have a man who is one’s biological and spiritual father.
What is his favourite meal?
Honestly, it is difficult to tell his favourite meal. He might like a food so much now but that doesn’t mean he will have the same degree of likeness for the same food the following day. Food wise, he is very unpredictable.
Does he have any special mode of dressing?
He does not have a special mode of dressing. He dresses moderately. He is not a materialistic person. He doesn’t like flashy things.
What is his schedule like?
My dad’s schedules are tight. He is a very busy person. Even when he is at home, he is always busy in the studio and in the home office.
How close are you to him?
We are quite close. I discuss many issues bothering me with him. No matter how busy or occupied he is, he pauses to hear them and provides solutions. Daddy has a listening ear.
How sociable is he?
He is on the reserved side. Mum is more social, so I think they complement each other.
Have you acted with him?
I have not acted with him but we have worked on some projects together. The most recent and most memorable is a film project we had in Australia where I was the director of photography. We did not have sufficient hands. So, dad and I had to do the lighting for the film. It became a success afterwards. I was watching the preview copy and I saw a part in the opening credit where he wrote, Lighting by: Mike Bamiloye, Damilola Mike Bamiloye. I cried because I thought it was a great privilege and honour to work side by side with dad. I have acted with mum where I played her son and till date, the experience lingers in my mind. I hope to act with dad someday and probably play his son.