By- Josephine Agbonkhese

An actress, life-coach and ordained pastor of Gracemade Christian Centre, Oluwaseun Osigbesan, popularly known as Jennifer for her role in the popular Africa Magic sitcom ‘The Johnsons’— a role she played for nine years, needs little or no introduction.
An Olabisi Onabanjo graduate of Performing Arts, Osigbesan’s official journey into the entertainment scene dates back to 2010 when she starred in the television series ‘Kamsons & Neighbour’, as an undergraduate.
While acting may have been her turf, the dotting mother and wife to a namesake husband, Seun, for many years, bore on her shoulders a strong concern for working-class single ladies, who, she felt, were commonly misled by the make-believe lifestyles of their favourite celebrities.
This culminated a couple of years ago in the birth of Zsheunic Mentorship Academy, a platform through which she is living her dream of enlightening these ladies on self-worth, love, relationship, productivity, human relations, finance, and much more.
In this interview with Allure, the award-winning actress recounts her days on the set of The Johnsons and speaks on her dream of becoming one of the biggest movie producers in Nigeria. She also gives useful tips on love, relationship and more, especially as the curtain falls on the month of love.

What attracted you to acting in the first instance?

I have been attracted to the screen since I was a child. I actually watched a lot of home videos when I was a child and each time I saw people act, I always told myself I could do same. Eventually, I featured in a few movies as a child actor. I, however, started professionally in 2010 while in my final year at the Olabisi Onabanjo University studying Performing Arts.

Later, I went for Tinsel’s audition but got selected for the role of Jennifer in a completely new TV series which happened to be ‘The Johnsons’. I journeyed from Abeokuta for that auditioning without knowing anyone.

How would you sum up your experience on the set of ‘The Johnsons’?

It was a good experience and an exposure into the industry. I thank God for the platform, working with Chinedu Ikedieze, Charles Inojie, late Ada Ameh, Kunle Bamtefa and others. It was an amazing experience. Through that platform, I’ve been opportune to work with several other people.

You had two pregnancies while on the program; how did you cope with that?

It was quite stressful but I enjoyed it. Yes, I started as a single lady and then got married and had my two children while working on the show. My second pregnancy was even taken as part of the show and written into the script even though it wasn’t part of the original plan. The baby was thereafter included on the show after delivery. I’m thankful for the whole experience.

What were your initial dreams as a child growing up?

The only dream I had as a child was to be an actress and I did everything possible to pursue that. While on that attempt, I got born again. That desire to join the movie industry however persisted because I never believed being born again was supposed to stop one from acting.

What career path do you pursue at the moment?

I’m a life-coach. I coach ladies and write inspiring books when I’m led to do so. I particularly coach working-class single ladies on various life issues and have authored two books so far. The first is titled ‘BEING A WOMAN while the second is ‘DEAR SINGLE LADY.

The first was a product of my first-ever conference held in 2019 and the second, ‘DEAR SINGLE LADY’ was an answer to my observation among younger ladies who look up to celebrities. It was also a design to reduce the rate of divorce in the society and curb breakup in dating relationships.

Truth is, many single ladies have suffered a lot in relationships because they lack the intelligence to choose right. Many have made mistakes and ended up in wrong marriages. As a result of these, more ladies have become afraid of getting married. But, like I always tell people, marriage is still a beautiful thing. I’ve been married for almost 12 years.

What precisely did you observe concerning young ladies and their favourite celebrities?

Being in the industry, I noticed that most ladies were always quick to refer to people they see on screen as their role models, without knowing anything meaningful about these people. They do this majorly because of their misconceptions about the lifestyles of these so-called celebrities; most of whom live lifestyles that are unworthy of emulation. They give them counsels on social media that aren’t realistic. Imagine someone saying a boyfriend who calls on WhatsApp is broke! That is completely untrue but you will be surprised at the number of ignorant ladies that would jump on that assumption. This inspired the Total Woman Conference I had in 2019 and eventually, inspired the writing of my first book.

The Total Woman Conference was about inspiring ladies to strive for all-round success, whether in career, marriage, motherhood, business or whatever.

Tell us about growing up?

I was born into a family of four children. My father wasn’t really present; so, my mum was responsible for everything and she went through a lot trying to care for the family. She was a civil servant and was both a father and mother at the same time even though my father was alive. My mother truly never experienced a blissful marriage. I’m spurred by her experience and I’m determined to help other ladies live wholesome lives.

Is your choice of single ladies a calling or a passion?

It is actually something I’m extremely passionate about.

What’s the vision and how are you working to achieve your goals?

From that passion came my academy, Zsheunic Mentorship Academy, ZMA. The academy is focused on working-class single ladies. During our regular six-month training sessions, I coach these ladies on life lessons such as self-worth, love, relationship, productivity, human relations, financial growth and promotion requirements. Currently, we are on the second batch of trainees.

How do you relax?

I watch movies because, of course, I love my industry. I also often do go to the cinema with my husband.

What’s your fondest memory of the late Ada Ameh who was also on the cast of ‘The Johnsons’ for many years?

Mama! Mama! Oh, Mama was very playful. I have a lot of memories of her. There was no dull moment with mama. She was down- to-earth and loved to speak her truth. She particularly loved food and was very generous to people’s needs. She couldn’t stand seeing anyone in need without intervening in any way possible.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given about life?

Always think before making a decision. Also think about how you would react, as well as the various possible consequences of your decisions.

What book are you reading now?

I’m reading ‘THE GAME CHANGER, a book by Niyi Adesanya. It’s such a powerful book.

What will be your advice to your 18-year-old self about life, vision and goals?

My advice to my 18-year-old self? That would have been to know God early enough. Luckily, I was fortunate to know God quite early in life and that saved me from a lot of troubles.

What’s your aspiration?

My aspiration is to become a filmmaker and in fact, one of the top filmmakers in Nigeria in the coming years. Just like Funke Akindele; my role model in the industry.

What won’t you ever be caught wearing?

Revealing clothes that expose the cleavage.

What fashion item can’t you do without?

Sunglasses! I love sunglasses and I have a lot of them.