I have never travelled out of Nigeria – Actor, Ibrahim Chatta

Nollywood actor, Ibrahim Chatta is a patriot and unlike his colleagues in the industry who enjoy making foreign trips and boasting about it, the actor is not interested in leaving Nigeria except it is absolutely necessary and purposeful.

In an interview with Punch Newspaper, Ibrahim Chatta says the only country he has been to outside Nigeria is Benin Republic, although he hopes to premiere his coming movie project in the UK, US, South Africa and Dubai.

Ibrahim Chatta said, “I have never travelled out of this country except to the Republic of Benin. Most times, I hear that people travel to other developed countries to beg; I don’t want to be like that. There are many amazing places I’ve never visited in Nigeria too. I only go to locations from my house and return home afterwards. I’ve been invited to America and Canada for awards, but God has not given me the privilege to visit yet. I have not been to Mecca too, but it is my priority to go before I die and I am not leaving the world soon.”

Urging Nigerians to be more patriotic and proactive towards making Nigeria a better place, the actor said, “People are always saying Nigeria cannot be good; we should stop saying that. We are not patient and patriotic enough. I have never been to the US but I can tell you nice things about New York and Washington. I saw those things in movies. Films should be avenues to project our country in a positive light but we don’t do that here. I will die in Nigeria because it is my country. Fifty per cent of my income goes to people, though I’m still a poor man. I work every day to survive. If I go to the bank, the staff members and people in the queue always want to favour me but I wait for my turn. I am tired of hearing people saying terrible things about Nigeria. I know many of my colleagues who are supporting one party or the other because of what they stand to gain but the love of the country should come first.”