By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
- Shares Experience After Etisalat Job Termination
Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe recently shared the challenges he faced on his journey into the film industry, including being fired from his job at a telecommunication company Etisalat in 2012.
During a conversation with media personality Chude Jidenonwo, Arukwe revealed that he was dismissed from Etisalat while anticipating a promotion from specialist role to a managerial position after years of service.
He recounted taking the blame for an incident in his department as the team lead.
Arukwe explained that his initial attempts to break into Nollywood were unsuccessful, leaving him jobless from November 2012 to November 2013.
Despite his efforts, he received no calls for movie roles during this period.
When he eventually began securing roles, the pay was meager, with amounts ranging from N1,000 to N10,000, and he was even once compensated with a simple “thank you for coming.”
“I worked in telecoms, retail, and sports. I was fired from Etisalat in 2012 due to an incident in my department, for which I, as the team lead, had to take the fall,” Arukwe recounted.
According to the actor, getting sacked after five years of hoping to become a manager was one of the hardest things ever.
He continued:”From November 2012 to December 2013, I was jobless. The only gig I got was a stage drama through Seyi Babatope. It was a terrible time with no job offers in film.”
With a strong desire to advance in his profession, Arukwe said he put away his credentials and found a new position, which he kept for an additional five years.
Finally, he made the decision to focus solely on acting in April 2018.
By August 28, 2018, he landed his first gig with Iroko, despite facing financial difficulties.
Reflecting on his journey, Arukwe admitted that “at that time, I was broke and desperate, even resorting to prayers at noon.”
Through his story, Arukwe highlighted the resilience and determination required to succeed in the competitive Nollywood industry.
