‘Big brother’s Kevin Pam was a bit of a bully growing up’
Vou Pam Ishaya, Teacher and Entrepreneur, is sister to Kevin Chuwang Pam, who was the first Nigerian to win the TV reality show, Big Brother Africa, in 2009. Here, she talks about growing up with her brother, getting into trouble, and more. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: How would you describe your brother, Kevin Chuwang Pam? Kevin is a very simple person. Funny, easy going, but he can also be annoying at times.
DT: What was growing up like with him?
It was quite interesting. We used to hang out a lot and get into trouble together, so I guess you could call him my mischief partner. He was also a bully, but as we all know growing up changes a lot of things.
DT: What fun childhood memory with him quickly comes to your mind?
There’s a lot to recall. We wrestled a lot because we watched a lot of Hulk Hogan’s wrestling matches. We also played with toy guns and did hide and seek. He bullied so much and made us tidy our rooms.
There was this small short cut where we had to pass through a gate after Primary School hours back then. It was against his rule for anyone to pass through that gate before him. Even if he was busy chitchatting with his friends or just taking his time, we still had to wait for him to pass through first. If anyone dared to pass through before him, he would ask that person to retrace those steps. Sometimes he would give the person a hard knock.
But he also came to my rescue a lot in Primary School, particularly after I got myself into trouble. I would run, hide behind him, and he usually got really protective.
DT: How do you feel having a famous brother?
Although we were all excited and overwhelmed when he won Big Brother Africa, even though he’s been on other shows before, nothing has really changed. I look beyond the fame and see him as that same brother he has always been since childhood.
DT: What misconception about him would you like to correct?
I don’t really know how people think or feel about him. Everyone has their personal opinions and reservations, which they are entitled to, concerning different people. However, based on questions people ask me and things I hear them say since Big Brother Africa, contrary to what people may think, I would say Kevin is a highly focused person. He is full of ideas, is very open and selfless. This is probably where his weakness lies. He is also a very principled and determined person. He is constantly setting goals and will not rest until he achieves or executes them. He is also not a loud person. He is quite into himself and would allow his plans to be known only when they manifest.
DT: What is his favourite meal?
His favourite food is pounded yam and egusi or vegetable soup. Now he’s watching his weight so he takes Gwate a lot even though he hated it growing up.
DT: What is his favourite outfit?
He likes to look casual, so he wears a lot of sneakers and jeans. You would almost always see him with jeans and a shirt. My dad always complains that he hardly dresses formal.
DT: If he was not in showbiz, what other profession do you think he would have excelled in?
Vou: I think he would have been a good Lawyer. As a matter of fact, he started with Law in school. He has a Diploma in Law.
DT: What easily gets him upset?
Kevin doesn’t get upset. Annoyingly, he’d rather walk away. Especially now that a lot has changed, he’s generally a peacelover. I wonder what he thinks sometimes. When we grew older, I started speaking up for him when there’s a disagreement, so he stopped letting me know when people step on his toes (laugh).
DT: What do you usually talk about these days when together?
Mostly family stuff and business, because he’s always with one family friend or the other. We just gist about life, give updates on experiences, generally. DT: How does he relax?
When he’s not working, he spends a lot of time with his family. He likes to play with his children, Malaika and Angelo, a lot. Apart from that, he hangs out with his friends too. Once in a while, he and his family come to my house to spend a few days with us. I hate having to watch the boys play PlayStation.
We used to hang out a lot and get into trouble together, so I guess you could call him my mischief partner. He was also a bully