10th July, 2023
Nollywood actress Jaiye Kuti has frowned at actions of some of her colleagues in the Yoruba film industry who took to social media to beg for money.
Kuti’s reaction came after Iya Gbonkan, a veteran actress, was gifted a car and nearly N5 million after her public plea for help.
Other elderly actors like Pariolodo, Lalude, and Baba Alapini similarly solicited financial aid.
In a video shared via Instagram on Saturday, Kuti expressed displeasure at the trend.
She accused her colleagues of “tarnishing the reputation” of the Yoruba film industry.
Jaiye Kuti said actors should stop begging for money on but adopt the habit of saving up to prepare for their future.
“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, they see us as dirty people just because some people did not prepare for their future,” she said.
“Instagram is not a place for people to beg other people for money. If we want to help each other, we can use the media to help people. But Yoruba actors should not turn it into something else.
“Some have four wives yet you’re saying the job does not pay because you want people out there to help you. People now disgrace Yoruba actors just because some people keep begging for money on social media.
“Why are we tarnishing our own image? If you know what some people did with their lives in their younger years, you won’t even help them in their old age. People should work for their future.
“Since we already know that there’s no pension in the acting profession, make use of insurance and save money every month. You create your pension plan yourself. What is the business of TAMPAN with a sick actor?
“Everybody needs money and we are all struggling. Don’t turn the Yoruba film industry into a house for beggars.”