Mr. Ibu has told the PUNCH in a new interview about his parenting style, saying he’s not a believer in corporal punishment.
The veteran actor said he rather subscribes to dialogue in correcting his children rather than beating them.
The comic actor who has earned a cult figure in Nollywood with his incredibly hilarious demeanor and delivery in movies also disclosed that he asked God not to make any of his kids resemble him but rather take after their mother.
Read some excerpts from the interview:
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When did you have your first child?
I had my first child in 1991.
When you held your child for the first time, what came to your mind at that moment?
I remember the joy in my heart; I was happy and grateful to God. I picked up my baby and said that he should look like his beautiful mother and not me, everyone laughed.
They asked why I was saying that and I said that because I know I am not good looking, and they all laughed. I am very truthful to myself; I know that I am not good looking, so I do not want any of my children to take after me in that aspect, they can take after me in every aspect but not in terms of beauty, and as God will have it, they look beautiful just like my wife.
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What are the values you have instilled in yourself that have helped you as a dad?
First of all, you have to build confidence in yourself. You learn everyday as a father, and I never miss any opportunity to learn everyday and this makes me a better parent. I have people who learn from me and I teach them how to build a home even though I had some ups and downs in the course of trying to build a home.
My first and second marriages failed; they (my wives) left me after having a child each for me. I wondered what made them make such decisions and they made me know that it was because I didn’t have money. This made me know that I have to be able to keep my family and provide for them and make sure that they are satisfied and not have any reason to look down on me.
Yes, I have two of my children who are toeing my career path and I am very proud of that. They are proud of their father; they love my art and decided to follow in my path. I never forced them, it was their choice and I am glad that they are doing what they love, and it also shows that they are proud of what I do and want to be like me
How do you discipline your kids?
I do not believe in beating children, I am not saying others who do it are wrong, but it is not my style. In disciplining my children, I have a different method, I rather speak to them, I caution them a lot and they can easily see that I am not pleased with whatever they might have done wrong, they realize their wrongs and apologize to me, and believe me, they mean it and do not repeat such.
