Veteran Nollywood actor, Antar Laniyan, has opened up about the unusual and emotional story behind his unique name, revealing the sacrifice his late mother made to bring him into the world.
Speaking in a recent interview, Laniyan noted that the name Antar is not just a label but a constant reminder of a mother’s love and the extraordinary lengths she went to ensure his safe delivery.
“There can never be another Antar because there’s a story behind it,” he said. “I like sharing it so people understand the importance of having a good mother.”
The actor explained that many people do not realize the struggles their mothers endure before childbirth. According to him, hearing a mother recount the circumstances of one’s birth can be deeply emotional.
“The kind of things our mothers pass through before giving birth to us, we do not know because we weren’t there. But when a mother tells you how you came into this world, you will weep for yourself,” he added.
Laniyan revealed that his mother carried him far beyond the normal gestation period.
“I overstayed in my mother’s womb, 18 months, according to her,” he disclosed. “People were worried. It wasn’t a medical issue, so they believed it was spiritual.”
In her desperation, his mother was advised to eat a creature locally known in Yoruba as “Anta” a lizard-like animal, smaller than a crocodile. The traditional remedy was believed to aid delivery.
“She had to eat something called Anta. They prepared it for her, she took it, and an hour later, I came,” he said.
The actor added that the name originally reflected the creature his mother consumed, but peer teasing in primary school led him to adjust it.
“My classmates used to joke about the name, so I added an ‘R’ to make it Antar,” he explained.
Laniyan expressed gratitude to his late mother, praising her for the sacrifices that shaped his life.
“May God Continue to rest her soul, I thank her for everything,” he said.
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