Renowned Nollywood actor Jim Iyke recently made a guest appearance on the “Is This Seat Taken” podcast, hosted by Chinasa Anukam, where they delved into Iyke’s illustrious acting career, his influence on Nollywood, and his future plans.
During the interview, Iyke shared a compelling tale of his journey back to Nigeria in 2020 amid the COVID-19 lockdown. He recounted being stranded in Paris, where he had gone to visit his second son residing in the capital. Unfortunately, due to the sudden COVID lockdown announcement, he found himself stuck in France for an agonizing five months, unable to return to his home country.
As the months passed, the veteran Nollywood star grew homesick and longed to be back in Nigeria. However, with most countries implementing strict measures in response to the pandemic, his options were limited. In an act of desperation, Jim Iyke took a daring risk and decided to sneak back into Nigeria.
“I thought I could hang out with my son while the world was shutting down,” Iyke shared. “I thought I would still have enough time to run to London and catch a flight back home. But then Nigeria, Paris, Amsterdam, and America all shut down. I ended up stranded in Paris for five months.”
Despite being well aware of the potential risks involved in his decision, Iyke felt compelled to take the chance, feeling he had no other viable choice. His determination to return to Nigeria eventually led him on this unexpected and daring journey.
Fans can catch the full interview with Jim Iyke on the “Is This Seat Taken” podcast, where he sheds light on his remarkable career and life experiences during the challenging times of the pandemic.
