BBNaija winner, Efe, regrets what he did in the house

Efe Ejeba, winner of Big Brother Naija reality TV
show is surely enjoying his new status as a
celebrity. The youngest millionaire in town
arrived the country, Monday night alongside
Bisola, the first runner up of the reality TV show,
to a rousing reception. On Tuesday, he held his
first ever press conference, in Lagos, where he
was presented with the keys to his SUV and N25
million cheque. In this interview with Showtime
Celebrity, the Warri, Delta State-born rapper
shares his experience in the BBNaija house, his
ordeals as well as his plans to stay on top of
his game.

How do you feel being the winner of the
BBNaija reality TV show?
I feel great, I feel honoured. I’m grateful to
God. I didn’t do it alone. I am full of gratitude
to everyone who voted for me and supported
me throughout my stay in the Big Brother
Naija competition. I was simply living my
normal life and having fun in the house. But I
didn’t know I was having this much love
outside. I was just being myself and living my
life in the house.
What did you do differently that gave you an
edge over other housemates?
I didn’t do anything differently. All the
housemates came into the house with a
winning mentality. I was just myself while
some came with strategies, which we got to
find out later. I feel I represented the average
Nigerian youth in the house. I went into the
house to live like a normal Nigerian child.
How did it feel like to be locked up in a
particular place for 78 days?
It was crazy but I was not worried because I
was there for the money. I said if it was 90
days I didn’t care because I was out to win.
They say we wouldn’t use our phones and I
told them that they could even keep my phone
for two years. I was never tired of staying in
the BBNaija house.
How would you describe your experience in
the house?
Its funny that in a place where we expect a lot
of immorality, I became more disciplined. I
didn’t think I would ordinarily have fitted into
the Big Brother House because I am not posh
but I was proved wrong. When I got into the
house I realised that I was a bit different from
other housemates. I was not just playing for
the camera, so, when I was angry or happy I
showed it. With time, I started believing that I
would actually win the show.
You were always placed on eviction every
week.
I’m overwhelmed by this win because I grew
up feeling like people didn’t love me and it
turned out to be my strong point. I don’t try to
be nice to people because I know what people
think about me anyway. When I was in school,
I was way ahead in class and people felt
threatened by my young age. So, every week, I
knew that I would be nominated for eviction
and that was why I was ready to die just to
win the head of house task. I didn’t believe in
anyone winning the head of house task to
save me aside from myself. So, when it came
to those tasks I gave it my all.
What was the strategy you adopted while you
were in the house?
I didn’t go into the house with any strategy. I
was the same person throughout the show.
The way I lived there was the same way I live
my normal life. Nothing changed about me in
the house.
Recall one of your conversations with TBoss
where she boasted that she would spend N25
million within one week and your reaction was
simply unimaginable!
I was stunned when she told me that she
would finish N25 million in a week. I said to
myself what is she doing here. “Me I ready die
put for N25m but you say you fit spend am in
one week. So wetin you come they do for the
house na? You dey block oda people space
na.” But I guess she said that out of anger.
The biggest irony of the house was that the
younger ones do not know how to manage
their actions but the older ones just said it as
it came.
What are your thoughts on what transpired
between Kemen and Tboss?
Based on logistics, my people say I no dey
diplomatic so I won’t comment on the matter.
Your fans in Jos are saying you never
recognized them while you were in the house?
I am very proud to have been born and raised
in Jos; we all know how Jos has blessed a lot
of people in the Nigerian entertainment
industry. I say it all the time that if I was born
and raised in Warri, I wouldn’t have been this
disciplined. I spoke a lot of Pidgin English in
the house but don’t be deceived I also speak
English very well.
Do you regret any of your actions in the
house?
The only regret I have is drinking. I heard my
mum is upset with me. So, I apologize to her
for drinking so much in the house.
How did you cope with your fellow
housemates?
I learnt tolerance and also, I learnt that some
people have great personalities but still exhibit
some unacceptable behaviours. I learnt that I
needed to compromise certain things in order
to live happily with them despite their flaws. I
lived in a confined space and several people
invaded my space. I couldn’t ignore them
because of certain things they did, so I looked
beyond their flaws and embraced their positive
side.
With N25million and an SUV at your disposal,
how are you feeling at the moment?
I am a different person who is not particularly
moved by material things.
Have you been told that so many Nigerian
celebrities supported you while you were in
the Big brother House?
I am so grateful to a lot of people including
Governor Okowa of Delta State. I heard he
threw his weight behind me. I was also told
that comedian; I Go Dye dropped N1 million for
my campaign team. When I called him, he
ended my call and called me back. We spoke
for hours. I am also grateful to Ali Baba, AY,
Akpororo and so many Nigerian celebrities
whom I had never met but stood behind me. I
hear my family house in Warri can now be
likened to a tourist centre because of the
number of people who have thronged our
home to congratulate my parents.
What will become of your affair with Marvis
now that you are out of the Big Brother Naija
house?
What we had in the house was great, but she
has a boyfriend. I was physically attracted to
her and that was why I was close to her in the
house.
Beyond BBNaija, what’s next for you?
It will be more about my music because music
is my first love. I have realised that my brand
is way bigger than music, so I will definitely
explore different areas. If I receive any movie
offer, the money must make sense. I don’t
feel I know how to act and that was my
biggest frustration in the Big Brother House.
Olamide tweeted that he’s going to do a duet
with you!
Yes, Olamide is a great musician. He raps in
Yoruba while I rap in pidgin English. I am
looking forward to meeting and learning from
him too.
Will you consider a career in comedy?
No, I’m not a comedian. My life may be funny
but I don’t think my stories are funny.
At a point, you did feel frustrated while in the
house?
Yes, I did, especially when it came to
tolerating some people’s annoying behaviours.