We recently connected with Valentine Ojochegbe Onogu and have shared our conversation below.
Valentine Ojochegbe , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Thank you so much for this question I will say my resilience as a creative stems from a deep passion for storytelling and the inspiration I draw from my parents, who are tutors. They taught me the value of education, discipline, and nurturing creativity. Creating art that entertains and educates requires perseverance, and my parents’ commitment to teaching gives me the drive to produce work that challenges and inspires audiences. Just as they guide their students to think critically, I aim to craft thought provoking stories, ignite change, and offer transformative experiences for the world to see.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
In a nutshell I will say Im a Multidisciplinary Artist, I’m a film producer, theatre director/performer, and Production/set designer for both film and theatre . My work revolves around creating immersive, impactful stories that entertain and educate.
I have worked on projects on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Other major Streaming platforms and theatres. Recently, I produced a web series titled The Story of Us with my production company, VO Studios. What made this project truly special was the incredible group of friends and talented creatives I collaborated with. Together, we brought the story to life, and the film is now streaming on YouTube on the VO Studios channel. Seeing how it resonates with audiences is an exciting feeling, especially knowing it was a true team effort.
In addition to my work in film, I also work with theatre groups in varying capacities from performing to directing at the moment, I am working on several educative and impactful projects that I can not wait for the world to see; plays and films.
My work credits include; Death and the Kings Horseman, Blood Sisters, Sealskin, A Different Path, Story of Us, The Fact Show, Men’s Club, Flawsome and a host of others
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Though I am still in my early career phase, the three most impactful qualities in my journey so far have been:
The Ability to Just Do It – Taking action, even when unsure or facing challenges, has been key. Often, we get stuck in overthinking, but the real progress comes from just diving in and making things happen. For those starting out just like me, my advice is to push past the fear of perfection and start creating. The learning comes through doing.
Being a Good Motivator – A big part of working in the arts is collaborating with others. Being able to inspire and uplift a team is crucial for success. I’ve learned that motivating others helps create a positive, productive environment. To develop this, practice active listening, empathy, and communication. These skills can help you connect with people and bring out the best in them.
Leadership : In high-pressure situations, staying calm and focused is vital. As a leader, keeping your composure can help guide your team through challenges. For those early in their journey, I recommend practicing mindfulness and building emotional resilience. These qualities will help you lead with confidence, even when things get tough.
Each of these qualities has helped me navigate my career and continue to grow as a creator.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I remember a saying by my dad: “Take a step back to move forward.” I’ve applied this to every aspect of my life, especially in challenging moments. When things get too much, I step back, take a breath, and allow myself the space to rethink. This helps me gain perspective and refocus, and I find that after doing this, I’m able to move forward with clarity and renewed energy. My advice is to embrace that pause, it’s often exactly what’s needed to regain balance and move ahead with purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westernigalaboy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skul.bwoy.54
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentine-onogu-78b0a1120?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/westernigalaboy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VOStudiosLtd
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