Actress Kate Henshaw had always been politically inclined. Last year, she tried her hands in politics by trying to run for the House of Reps seat in her constituency. At the end of the day, she did not get pass the primaries of her party, the people’s Democratic Party (PDP). Yet, Kate is still much concerned in the polity of Cross Rivers where she hails from.
Kate Henshaw
Speaking with Box Office, the popular actress, speaks on what she expects from the in-coming government in her state. “My az\expectations from the in-coming government for my state, Cross Rivers state primarily are continuity and also building on existing structures that are on ground from previous administration. For me, it is very key that young people there in Cross Rivers are positively engaged.
We have a lot of young people in the state who are idle. Apart from tourism, we need to develop other avenues of engaging the people and also making money for the state. For now, it is tourism that is our strong point but then what happens from February to November when nothing is happening in the State. So the young people need to be engaged and the state also has to look at other ways to attract people. Not only to live in Calabar but also to invest in Calabar because it is a lovely clean place.” she said
On her expectations from the incoming government in Lagos, she stated that Lagos is being touted a cosmopolitan state and judging from this present administration, his excellency, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, he has done a great job. “I will not knock it at all. But there are other areas that need to be improved. I think Lagos state is the only place that has emergency lines, 112 and 767. I don’t know if that operates in any other state. I have used that line and I got the aid I needed. A friend put out the fire in her house by calling the number and that was very impressive. But there are also other areas in terms of keeping the law, taxation and all sorts of things that need to be sorted out. But now, Lagosians need more. We need relief because Lagos is extremely expensive to live in. Yes, they say if you think Lagos is expensive, move out but I still have the right to stay here and I should not be made to pay heavily. Like I live in the Lekki area. I am boxed in. If I want to come to Ikoyi, I pay toll, If I want to come to Victoria Island, I pay toll. There is no other way for me to leave and that is not the right way to do things because there is supposed to be an alternative route.
They will tell you that there is one and that is a lie. There is supposed to be a proper road be it twice the length if the normal routs and if I choose to take it, I will take it because I don’t want to be boxed in. For me, it’s a personal thing. I can afford it but what about people who cannot afford to pay the toll. Lagos is a beautiful place. It has been done by Fashola, a lot more need to be done to make it conducive and safe for the people who live here.”
Kate also speaks about her political adventure when she ran for the House of Representatives, and if she will run again. “I will give it all my best. There are people who keep trying and at last they make it. I believe that every citizen in Nigeria should be involved in politics because the laws that are made affect our lives. If you don’t want to run, at least know your right as a citizen and what is expected of people we put in office. Don’t be clapping when the government constructs roads. It’s what they are supposed to do. They are doing the job you citizens sent them to do.”
Kate Henshaw was born in Cross River State, the oldest of four children. After completing her primary and secondary school in Lagos and Calabar, she spent one year at the University of Calabar reading remedial studies, and then majored in Medical Microbiology at the School of Medical Lab Science, LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) in Lagos. Henshaw worked at the Bauchi State General hospital.
In 1993 Henshaw auditioned for the lead role in the movie When the Sun Sets and was handed the role. This was her first appearance in a major Nollywood movie. Henshaw has starred in over 50 Nollywood movies. In 2008 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film Stronger than Pai.
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