Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has said she has no desire to leave Nigeria, describing the country as home and the place that shaped her identity and career.
Bello made the remarks during a panel discussion at “20+ Years in the Media: Real Talk with Kike @7”, where she spoke about opportunities in Nigeria and encouraged young people to remain hopeful despite the country’s challenges.
“America trained me, but Nigeria made me,” she said.
Responding to a question about what could inspire young Nigerians as they build their careers, the actress said she continued to see opportunities in the country and had no intention of returning to the United States.
“I pray I never get the opportunity, as they call it, to go back,” she said.
“Yes, you’ll say because I’ve done it before. I’ve been there before. Yes, I agree with that. But because of the opportunities that I’ve seen in this country, and I am still seeing, I don’t ever want to go back. This is home, this is where it is.”
Bello acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians face, including challenges with electricity, education and healthcare, but urged young people to focus on developing their skills and making the most of available opportunities.
“Look within yourself, what do you have to offer? What is in your hands?” she asked.
“Whatever it is that is in your hands to offer, study, learn and prove yourself worthy of it,” she added.
The actress also advised young people to remain authentic and dedicated to their chosen fields, saying these qualities had helped sustain her career over the years.
“For me to be here for so many years, first of all, I have to be authentic to who I am. If you lie, you keep having to remember the lies; if you tell the truth, it’s easy,” she said.
Bello further highlighted the importance of faith in her life, urging young Nigerians to remain steadfast in their beliefs as they pursue their ambitions.
