Popular Yoruba actress, Jaiye Kuti, has voiced her criticism towards some veteran actors who have resorted to seeking financial assistance on social media platforms.
In recent times, veteran actors such as Iya Gbonkan, Alapini Osha, Lalude, and Pariolodo, among others, have taken to social media to appeal for help in improving their living conditions.
Responding to this trend, Jaiye Kuti took to Instagram in a video to express her disapproval of her older colleagues’ actions, stating that their present predicament is a result of their failure to plan for the future.
Addressing the issue as an embarrassment to the Yoruba movie industry, she explained that the veteran actors are to blame for their current situation due to their careless financial decisions made in their earlier years.
She said, “Nollywood has the Yoruba and English sectors, and those in the English sector have members who face hard times but seek help amongst themselves.
“Our members, on the other hand, have ridiculed us with their need to publicly beg for help, to the point that many now see Yoruba actors as wretched, all because some people did not prepare for their future.”
Kuti urged her fellow actors to cease tarnishing their reputation through online begging, emphasizing the importance of financial planning for the future in an industry without a pension system.
“All the actors coming online to beg should stop giving us bad names. This job doesn’t have a pension, so you need to prepare for the future when you are young and active.
“This job is a success for me because I earn big, and I am already preparing for my future. You can’t make it compulsory for your colleague to give you money when you are sick”, Kuti stated.
With her statements, Jaiye Kuti emphasizes the need for financial responsibility and urges fellow actors to avoid giving the industry a negative image through their actions.