‘A man should be willing to do housework because it is his house,’ Veteran Actor, Zack Orji Says

Veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji opened up on fatherhood, doing domestic chores in his home and why other men should follow suit, and more, in an interview with Punch.

Read excerpts below.

On assisting his wife with domestic chores

“I did domestic chores (before the children became adults) and I still do. In fact, my son slept on my chest the day they returned from the hospital. For me, a man should be willing to do housework because it is his house.

I wash the dishes sometimes. It is not about showing love for one’s wife or one’s family. I just believe that since it is my house, it is something I should do. Also, when the children see such a thing, they will endeavour to emulate it. It will become a habit. Sometimes, whenever my children are reading, I will pack my plates myself to the kitchen after eating rather than disturb their reading. We have no house maids. My children sweep, cook and do other house chores. There are no cut-out roles for my wife or anybody in my house. There is no rule that says my wife must cook or do other things. I wash the toilet sometimes since everything one needs to clean the toilet is there.”

On fatherhood

“I became a father two years after marriage in 1991.

I have discovered over the years that action speaks louder than words. Most of the things I have done over the years were things I learnt as a child. Things that I watched my father do; not as much as the things he said but the things I saw him do.

My father died in 1983. I was in final year in the university at the time. I got my diction and orientation from my father. He was more handsome than I am. He worked with John Holt as a clerk. He was careful about his speech…My father was also a staunch Christian. I have recollections of how he would wake up at night and say warfare prayers. He was also fair-minded and a strict disciplinarian. He also spoke to us using popular sayings such as ‘punctuality is the soul of business.’ All these I imbibed from my father.

I discovered too that parents must be careful in training their children not only by what they tell them to do but the actions they take in the presence of their children. This made me to realise that fatherhood is not an easy thing because one cannot be on one’s guard always. One cannot change who one is in one’s home. If one is a general in the army, one cannot be a general to one’s children at home. One must be a father to them.

One of my biggest challenges as a father is spending enough and quality time with my children. Owing to the nature of my work, I travel a lot within and outside the country…Some of these times, I wished I were with my family…

I believe I am a good example to them (his children). They are free with me. We discuss and talk as friends. I always tell them to tell me anything and not be afraid. This has made them feel relaxed to tell me anything. Anytime I am not around and they need anything, they do not hesitate to call me.

Yes, I am a disciplinarian (but) I am free with my children at home, but they know that it does not give them the freedom to do whatever they like. We are good friends. But they are also careful not to cross the line. I have never raised a hand to any of them.

…I count myself very blessed because I have children who respect and love me. They listen to me whenever I talk to them. Even my son, Lionel, when he was studying abroad would call to tell me if he got an invitation to any event. I would only tell him to attend it but to be careful.”

On if he influenced his son’s interest in music

“Possibly, but then a lion can only beget a lion. When he completed secondary education, I asked him what he wanted to do and he said ‘media.’ Eventually, he studied Media with Television at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom. He should be going for a master’s degree programme soon.”

On if he wanted a particular gender before his first child’s birth

“No, I did not. Let me tell you this. About six months before my wife gave birth, the scan showed that it was a girl. So, we bought baby things for a female child. When I brought the baby things to the hospital, I was congratulated by the nurses. I later learnt that my wife was delivered of a baby boy. The baby had to put on girl’s clothes for the first day.”

Photo Credit: Punch