My Granddad Had 48 Houses in Lagos But Willed Nothing to Us –Actress Funmi Bank-Anthony

Tall and smashing actress, Funmi Bank-Anthony blows hot on the allegation of promiscuity in Nollywood, as she opines that it is at the discretion of any actor to decide whatever he or she wishes to use to attain stardom, stating bluntly that “it is nobody’s business”.

The philanthropist and granddaughter of the late Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony was, however, quick to disclose her staying power in the make-believe industry. Excerpt from the interview below...

Having started acting as a child, how was the journey from obscurity to stardom for you?

There is no broad way to success. You will always pay your way to stardom, be it financially, spiritually, materially…

Would you admit that you rode on the name of your late grandfather, Bank-Anthony to achieve some level of success in the industry?

I don’t think so. Yes, the name is household but I don’t think it has had any impact on my life and career. I can’t go to any bank and withdraw money with that name. He has done his bit when he was alive. He had his name and I am trying to make mine too. I am not even half way where I want to be, even though it is a name people can easily associate themselves with.

How did philanthropy begin for you?

It started with my grandfather, Sam Mobolaji Bank-Anthony. When he died, he wrote in his will that all his belongings be donated to the less privileged, even including the spoons. He had about 48 houses in Lagos and he declared that all be given to the motherless (children) and that is so huge for me, because I see it that he left us to suffer. If he had left the houses in Lagos for us, I would be a multi-billionaire today, even as a grandchild. He was one of the richest men in Nigeria and he didn’t leave anything for us. That was deep for me. I see it that the things you boast of today can be taken away from you within the twinkling of an eye. It then dawned on me that I could lose the things I have. So, philanthropy came out of the fear of losing the things I have. So, I would rather give it out than lose them when I am gone, though some people take you for granted when they know you are excessively nice.