Sad reality of Nigerian entertainers

In recent times, there have been cases of veteran actors seeking financial assistance from the public to tackle one issue or the other. However, by virtue of the glamour that is associated with the entertainment industry, many have the perception that entertainers are swimming in money, but that is not always the case. TOFARATI IGE takes a look at the sad reality of many Nigerian entertainers laced with poverty beyond the razzmatazz they portray in their works

Usually looking well fed and affluent, Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, is one actor that is often favoured by directors when they are looking to cast a rich man in movies.

Beyond his robust stature, Kanran also speaks, walks and even laughs like a rich man whenever he is called to act the part. It was those many roles he played as a rich man that formed the public perception that he was affluent, even in real life.

It was thus quite surprising to many when the actor surfaced on social media some years back, soliciting help from the public. He stated that he had suffered a devastating fire incident in 2017 which cost him his video equipment and other property.

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He had said, “Seven years ago, things got bad for me. I was not ill, and whatever would make me ill and people would start contributing for me, I thank God that did not happen to me. However, what is currently happening to me is more than being ill. In 2017, my home got burnt from top to bottom, and my wife and children deserted me.

“My studio, where all my equipment was, also got burnt. Since that incident, I have been sleeping in my church, as I don’t have money to rent an apartment. Feeding has also been difficult for me. All my four cars are no longer with me. I sold one to feed, one got burnt, and another one got damaged.”

Another veteran actor, Margaret Olayinka, aka Iya Gbonkan, cut a sorry picture, when she took to social media to beg fans for money to buy a car and complete her house. She said, “I have been acting for decades, yet I don’t have a car. I rely on buses every day. If I were to die now, they would slaughter a cow (for the funeral). Celebrate me now while I am alive. I need a car from my fans.”

Shortly after her appeal, the actress was presented with a car gift. Appreciating the fan who bought her the car, Iya Gbonkan said, “I pray that the Almighty God will continue to bless my benefactor richly. I promise that I will make good use of the car. I will learn how to drive the car. Even if I have to support myself with a pillow, I will do that. I also have people that can drive me. From now, the car will be taking me to movie locations.”

Though acts like these are by no means new, the frequency has increased in recent times, fuelled by the positive response enjoyed by other acts that have gone down that route.

Apparently buoyed by the positive response that actor, Fatai Adetayo, aka Lalude, received when he solicited a car, another veteran actor, Olusola Olaonipekun, aka Pariolodo, cried out for help as well. He said, “Congratulations, Lalude, you have got a car. It is God’s doing. Bring my own here. ‘Emilokan’ (I am the next). Help me bring my own car too. I don’t want to be walking about or riding motorcycles (okada) anymore. God bless Lalude and all that supported him.”

‘Begging not good for industry’

Though many empathised with the actors and were of the opinion that every form of assistance that could be given to them should be rendered, a popular actress, Jaiye Kuti, was of the view that such acts demeaned the industry.

Taking to social media last weekend, Kuti posted a video on her Instagram page, where she said, “It is good to be good, but for people who don’t prepare for their future, what do they expect to happen? When people see us (actors), they see us as dirty people, because some in the industry did not prepare for their future.

“Instagram is not a place for people to beg for money. If we want to help one another, we can use the media to do that. But, Yoruba actors should not turn it into something else (abuse it).

“Some (actors) have four wives, yet they are saying that the job does not pay well, because they want people out there to help them. People now disgrace Yoruba actors, because some of us keep begging for money on social media.

“Why are we tarnishing our own image? If you know what some people did with their lives when they were younger, you won’t help them in their old age. People should work for their future.

“Since we already know that there’s no pension for actors, we should make use of insurance, and save money every month. It behooves on individual actors to create their own pension plan. What is the business of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria with a sick actor?

“Everybody needs money, and we are all struggling. Don’t turn the Yoruba film industry into a house for beggars.”

When Saturday PUNCH reached out to Kuti, she refused to speak further on the issue.

However, her comments did not go down well with many of her colleagues.

An actor, Adewale Alebiosu, stated that thespians were not all well paid. Recounting how he was paid a miserly amount for a movie role, he said, “I was paid just N3,000 for 11 scenes. I boarded a bus and cried uncontrollably till I arrived home.”

Alebiosu added that the incident happened just few days to Christmas, and he had expected to use the proceeds to take care of his family.

In an interview with our correspondent, actor, filmmaker and activist, Yomi Fabiyi, also disagreed vehemently with Kuti.

He stated that it was wrong for people to conclude that any actor that solicited funds from the public had been profligate with their resources in their heyday.

He said, “That is very untrue, and it is an insult to those who laboured hard for us (younger generation of actors) to tap into. Movie making is not ‘pensionable’. The standard requirements for sustainable filmmaking include proper remuneration, royalties, grants, involvement of corporate bodies and copyright protection. Meanwhile, which of these do the veterans have access to? The Nigerian society and government do not care. They only protect other industries.

“In the early stages of the movie industry, people did not see filmmaking as a job; it was more of a passion for them. It is a sacrilege to judge these talented and hardworking veterans based on their deteriorating standard of living, because of the reckless lives of a minority. The truth is that there is crisis with veterans in Nollywood.”

Fabiyi added, “Those who say that they are embarrassed when these veterans turn to the public for help have not treated them any better.

“If their present poor living conditions are not an embarrassment to me, why should the fact that they are seeking to alleviate their suffering be an embarrassment to me?”

Actor and filmmaker, Francis Onwochei, was also of the opinion that actors begging the public for money were not good for the image of the country. He, however, added that as private individuals, no one could stop the actors involved from doing so.

He told our correspondent, “It is true that actors seeking financial support do not portray the industry well. However, as independent individuals, they cannot be controlled. On the other hand, workshops and other initiatives could be embarked upon to create awareness for industry practitioners.”

However, another actor and filmmaker, Bakky Adeoye, held the view that soliciting financial assistance from the public was not peculiar to Nollywood.

He told Saturday PUNCH, “The fact that veteran actors are seeking financial help is not uncommon; neither is it peculiar to the industry. People seek financial help every day on different platforms. Social media is replete with such requests on a daily basis. My point is that seeking financial help is a societal problem caused by different issues, such as unemployment, family challenges, and old age. One of the ways to curb this is for the government to provide an enabling society for all to thrive. If one is gainfully employed, whether young or old, and can have reasonable savings, one would not likely ask for public support when one has health challenges or other issues.

“Another way to achieve this is by having insurance packages, but that would be difficult for someone whose cash flow is inconsistent.”

An actor, Bigvai Jokotoye, also admitted that the act of begging for financial aid from the public did not portray the industry well. He said, “It is really sad to see our veterans seeking financial help online. I have heard some people blaming them for not preparing for their future, while some are of the opinion that there is no money in filmmaking and that is how those elders found themselves in that situation.

“Personally, I think it is a big slap on the industry that this is happening and if care is not taken, it will continue. Actors need to get paid well for their roles, especially when they are popular.”

An award-winning actor and filmmaker, Elvis Chuks, also stated that he found it hard to blame actors who sought financial help from the public.

He said, “I find it very difficult to blame them, judging by the fact that when they were active in the industry, the pay was not good enough. Back then, there were also no insurance schemes that could guarantee that they would be taken care of in their old age. Most of those veterans, especially the ones that acted in indigenous films, practically worked as favours to their colleagues over the years. They basically did it for the love of the craft. Most of them never really earned what they deserved, and in their old age, they practically had no choice but to seek assistance from the public.

“On the other hand, some of them stood for things they did not understand, in terms of politics, and making decisions that would favour them later in life. Some of them took wrong decisions by supporting the wrong people, who deceived them and eventually closed the doors against them.”

Fan pressure

A budding actor, Idowu Falade, said that the huge expectations that fans sometimes had of stars often pushed the latter to live above their means, and portray what they really were not to the public.

He told Saturday PUNCH, “I am an actor and I am currently under the tutelage and mentorship of a veteran actor, whose name I don’t want to mention. He often tells us (up-and-coming acts) that sometimes, he wished he could be like us again. That is because we have privacy (anonymity) and can do whatever we want without little or no repercussions. But for him, he has to be extra careful of his every move, because he is always under scrutiny by members of the public.

“There were times he had to wear expensive outfits, simply because he wanted to appear well-to-do. Even whenever he goes out, he has to part with huge sums of money, because louts and fans would keep harassing him. They will claim they are the ones buying his movies and demand money from him. Whenever he does not give them, they will label him as a stingy person, and in worse cases, some of them could even get violent.”

A singer, Fisayo Badmus, aka FisBad, echoed Falade’s thoughts. He said, “Even on social media, the pressure is intense. Celebrities are expected to live and act a certain way. People don’t even want to know if they can afford certain things. Once they don’t seem to meet up with a particular standard of living, some people would just label them failures and look down on them. But, that’s not too good. That scares people like us who are just coming up. And, that is why many entertainers would do different things to appear well to do.”

Wasted youth?

Even though some people believe that veteran actors begging for financial help is as a result of mismanagement of their resources when they were younger, some practitioners interviewed by Saturday PUNCH noted that that was not always the case.

Adeoye said, “It could be both reasons. However, like I mentioned earlier, the income of actors is inconsistent, especially as old age approaches. Because of that, it is easy for them to run into bad times when health issues or any type of misfortune occurs. Also, we should not forget that the industry is still in a nascent stage, and people started collecting a semblance of good fees less than a decade ago. These veterans held sway in the days when they made little or nothing from their efforts as filmmakers. What they made was barely enough to feed their families.”

A veteran actor, Dayo Adewunmi, aka Suebebe, took the Internet by storm during the week when he appealed for forgiveness from those he might have offended. Admitting that he lived a reckless life, he said, “I had no family to give me advice. I consider myself to be someone who enjoyed life very much. Back then, I did not sleep at home. I only went home whenever I wanted to take a change of clothes.

“I want to appeal to all Nigerian citizens— everyone I have offended— to please forgive me. I am supposed to say this while prostrating myself, but space would not permit me to do that. I know I stepped on so many toes, especially when it comes to women. I had countless girlfriends, so I don’t even know the ones I might have offended. There was a time I married someone outside the country and she had a child. But, I could not find the mother and the child. Please forgive me and pray for me. I am now a changed person; please forgive me.”

Social media not real life

Whenever entertainers come to the public domain to seek financial help, many often state that since some of their colleagues regularly flaunt wealth on social media, they should help those that are struggling.

But many industry insiders have also maintained that what is seen on social media is not always the true picture.

Reacting to that insinuation, Fabiyi said, “Many people still miss the point. The industry is actually lucrative, but most of the proceeds go into the hands of criminals with dirty business interests. Most of the folks coming out are to seek financial help were top stars and household names, that people thought were living well due to the success of their works. But, the sad reality is that many of them are living in abject poverty.

“Of course, those who wish to help have right to wonder why the disparity (between perception and reality), and that is one of the reasons I owe the public the truth. Their futures and hopes were long dashed and stolen by pirates, saboteurs, and shady business people, who took advantage of the lacunas in the industry.

“However, it is also important to note that showing off is part of the industry. Every entertainer wants their fans to see that they are doing well. I don’t have a problem with that, if it is done in moderation. Meanwhile, there are some who have (money) but never flaunt it. But, the fact remains that most of the veterans are living in abject poverty, and we, the present generation, are not better. We are only a bit luckier.”

Onwochei echoed the same thoughts when he stated that there was no fortune in the industry. He said, “There is no fortune, in that sense, for actors. They are paid based on the budget of the production, and the value they bring to each work.

“As regards flaunting personal possessions on social media though, I don’t think any serious practitioner will flaunt those on social media. I consider it to be cheap and childish. Unfortunately, it is women from a particular sector who mostly engage in that habit, for whatever they want to benefit from it.”

Recalling how he has come to the aid of his older colleagues, Fabiyi added, “I really don’t want to go into too many details, because it may be misconstrued. I ensure that I feature at least two veteran actors in any movie I have influence on. Also, anytime I have more than enough, I send some money to the people that I know are not doing well.

“Meanwhile, I wish to commend the fans, at home and abroad, for helping these veterans. Admitting that there is a crisis with these veterans might be the solution to this menace, which could eventually prevent it from being repeated with the younger ones.”

On the issue of living fake lives, Chuks said, “I agree that a lot of people, not just actors, due to the pressure of social media, are living fake lives to impress people for no reason. Eventually, those things work against some of them. However, I do not think that is a valid reason for anyone to withhold assistance. Just like there are seasons, life is also in different phases. It could be that a person used to have certain things, but no longer does. I believe that anybody who has the heart to assist will still do so, regardless of  whatever the person in need of help put on social media.”

Wither the associations?

A recurring question that many have asked is, where are the guilds and associations in the industry, and what exactly are they doing to alleviate the suffering of these veterans?

Some of the notable associations in the industry are the Theatre Arts And Motion Pictures Practitioners Association Of Nigeria, Actors Guild of Nigeria, and Directors Guild of Nigeria.

Fabiyi was of the opinion that the associations were not living up to the billing for their formation. He said, “One of the mentalities that has allowed for deep suffering in all these associations is the fact that most of those running their affairs are celebrities too, and they are in competition for fame and fortune. There is little they do to live up to the reasons they were established.

“Some people also have the wrong notion that only popular faces can lead those associations.

“For these associations to truly function and cater to the welfare of their members, their leaders must be ready to step on the toes of the exploiters, saboteurs and swindlers in the industry. Their priority should be the comfort of their members.”

Jokotoye also maintained that the industry should have just one umbrella union. He said, “I feel that actors in Nigeria should be in just one national association, and that body will regulate everything from welfare, insurance and payment arrangement for each category. In the United States of America, once one meets the requirements to join the union, one would be placed in a suitable category, and that would determine how much one gets paid per day. I wonder why we cannot do the same thing. If we have just one association that determines the least amount an actor can be paid, most of our veterans would not be in this situation.”

Financial literacy

A financial expert, Dozie Onuigbo, who is the founder of Creative Wealth Solutions, advised entertainers to understand the peculiar nature of their industry and plan their lives/careers accordingly.

He said, “For most people across all professions, they usually have working and resting periods. It is a no-brainer that one’s earning power cannot remain the same forever. One would have to start from somewhere, and grow along the line. However, there will also come a time when one would no longer be able to work as hard, and would have to retire from active duty. Ordinarily, one ought to be saving money for one’s foreseen retirement, but that is not always the case.

“The entertainment industry is largely an informal one, but some people are gradually changing the narrative. For an entertainer to thrive and stand the test of time, they have to treat their craft like any other business. They have to be very professional with the contracts they sign, and the way they strategically position themselves. Beyond just talent, an entertainer ought to brand and position themselves in a proper way that would attract patronage to them. The way entertainers portray themselves determines, to an extent, their earning power and even potential.

“Many of the actors and other entertainers of yesteryear practically practised their crafts for years fuelled by sheer passion. They were really not well remunerated. However, I would also concede that with proper planning and application of financial literary, they could have turned out better.

“My advice to younger entertainers is to treat their finances with the utmost importance, and always put something away for the rainy days, which would eventually come.”

Learning from mistakes of the past

However, Fabiyi said that for the younger generation to avoid the fate that befell the veterans, practitioners in the industry have to be paid better. He said, “The money majority of us have access to is nothing to write home about. We are not well paid, and if care is not taken, what befell those veterans might be the fate of our generation too. Until those cankerworms are eradicated, and there is proper government support and structuring, things might not change. We need one professional regulatory body that will tackle all these issues.”

Adeoye also noted that entertainers were now wiser with their finances. He said, “Filmmakers and other entertainers are now wiser, and they have realised the importance of having other streams of income. Our hope is that income from our efforts in the industry will improve, so we can have ‘real’ investments and be able to take care of ourselves in our old age.”

Different roads to the market

Another financial analyst, Godwin Ewherido, stressed that actors ought to have different streams of income. He said, “There is a Yoruba adage that says, ‘The market can be accessed through more than one way’.

“If you take a look at most of the successful entertainers in the world, you will see that most of them have been able to evolve and diversify their brands into other areas, different from their core talents.”

Agreeing with Ewherido, Onwochei said, “In the creative industry and indeed any other industry, having multiple streams of income is the ideal thing to do.

“As for me, outside acting, I am also a film producer, and work as a project consultant. Simply put, I am an entrepreneur in the creative industry.”

On his part, Adeoye stated that though he had different streams of income, his prayer was not to be faced with serious challenges. He said, “I have a couple of investments in other areas but trust me, they are more or less passive income, and could amount to nothing if one is face with serious challenges.”

Advising entertainers to have different streams of income, Chuks said, “My advice to entertainers, as regards  having different streams of income, is that they should know their abilities and act accordingly. The industry is open to different kinds of people; we have the professionals, and we also have those who are just in the industry to have fun. Regardless, one should do the job well, as that would attract other opportunities.”

Seeking greener pastures

It has become all too apparent that the massive brain drain (japa syndrome) in the country has had an ugly effect on virtually all sectors of the Nigerian economy, including Nollywood.

Quite a number of actors and filmmakers have unceremoniously left the country, with some being at the peak of their careers at the time of their departure.

An actor, Bigvai Jokotoye, who belongs to this category relocated out of the country at a time when was at the peak of his popularity.

In an interview with our correspondent, he stated that he was scared of being in the same shoes with some veterans who had to seek public help when faced with different challenges. He said, “I was scared of what is currently happening to our veterans. When I had the opportunity to travel out of the country, I grabbed it. When I was in Nigeria playing lead character in movies, I did not get paid enough to live the kind of life I wanted. Imagine playing the lead role for N30,000 or N40,000. Today, I have no regret for leaving the country when I did.”