Gerrarra Here Crooner, Francis Odega Talks About His Etisalat Deal

If you are an active user of the Nigerian social media platform, then you should know him! Francis Odega is the man behind the viral “Gerrarra Here Mehn” video.

 “I am pleasantly surprised that just one scene from a movie, which I starred in three years ago, has suddenly brought me so much attention and fame.” - Francis Odega

He has been an actor on the Nollywood scene for over a decade. However, when a clip from a movie scene went majorly viral online, his status skyrocketed.

The online fame has paid off as telecomms company Etisalat has signed Francis up as a brand ambassador and he features in a new ad for the brand.

That the video went viral was just a huge part of a cake till American rapper 50 Cent put the icing when he reposted the video on his Instagram page.

According to Odega, “It was an indescribable feeling and I also felt honoured when he began following me on Instagram. Snoop Dogg also followed suit shortly after. Both artistes are obviously huge fans of mine. Don Jazzy, PSquare, Patoranking, M.I, Sound Sultan and many other Nigerian music stars also follow me on social media.”

  Your Gerara Here comedy skit on Instagram has caught on like wild fire on social media.

 I am pleasantly surprised that just one scene from a movie, which I starred in three years ago, has suddenly brought me so much attention and fame. The three-part movie was titled Welcome to South, Back from South and Agony of South. It was shot in South Africa and Nigeria. I acted alongside Imeh Bishop and Dede One Day.

Why is the movie suddenly trending three years after its release?

I don’t really know why it has taken the movie three years to garner this sort of recognition. I joined Instagram two months ago, after some social media-savvy friends of mine played the Gerara Here video, which was posted on Instagram for me. The number of comments that trailed the post blew me away and I decided to join the platform almost immediately. Within a month, I had 3000 followers and currently have 18,600 fans.

How did you feel when 50 Cents posted the skit on his Instagram page?

It was an indescribable feeling and I also felt honoured when he began following me on Instagram. Snoop Dogg also followed suit shortly after. Both artistes are obviously huge fans of mine. Don Jazzy, PSquare, Patoranking, M.I, Sound Sultan and many other Nigerian music stars also follow me on social media.

Has this fame translated into more money or jobs for you?

It sure has as telecoms company, Etisalat, recently made me its ambassador because of the attention I have been receiving. I recently had a photoshoot for the billboards and will shoot the television commercial for the brand very soon. The concept of the billboard adverts revolves around the ‘Gerara Here’ concept.