Bolatito Sowunmi, who famously portrayed Ms Pepeye in the well-loved sitcom 'Papa Ajasco', has voiced her views on the ongoing discussions surrounding the well-being of the actors from the series.
Having participated in the 2004 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest, Sowunmi joined 'Papa Ajasco' in 2006, portraying her character for a decade before her departure.
In recent remarks, veteran comic actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, who is known for his role as 'Papa Ajasco', expressed his distress over the significant financial hardships he faces despite his long-standing fame in Nigeria’s entertainment field.
In a recent interview, the 65-year-old actor revealed that, contrary to public perception of wealth associated with his character, his earnings for the role have been disappointing.
In a distinct interview, Kayode Olasehinde, who played Pa James on the show, offered a rebuttal, stating that the actors' low salaries were a result of fewer episodes being produced.
Olasehinde insisted that in earlier times, the shooting frequency was higher, which translated to better earnings for the cast.
"The way they used to do it, it doesn’t take long before we get jobs. But now, if we record about 10 episodes, before we are called to the location again, it may take up to two years. When it was in Wale Adenuga’s hands, we didn’t have to wait long before we got called," he expressed. "You know they now have WAP TV, so they no longer spread their programmes across other stations like they used to. Probably that’s why,” he added.
Sowunmi, who has now adopted the name Ms Eagle, encouraged those criticizing Ayoyinka for his honest remarks to reconsider their stance. She highlighted that not every individual seeks attention on social media, and that may explain the silence of some past cast members.
Via her Facebook page, she criticized individuals who downplayed Ayoyinka’s concerns by pointing to her apparent success. "Na we dey inside, na we know where the shoe pinches… I’m way younger than him. He had been working before I joined the company, and I resigned for reasons best known to me (and we now have a young, beautiful, talented lady taking the role)," she remarked.
"I’m focusing on my life. Don’t use me as a yardstick. If the older man speaks up, the best response is to support him in whatever way you are led. This life is too short for all these epistles y’all are writing to undermine him," she stressed.
Sowunmi asserted that she will refrain from disparaging Wale Adenuga Productions, acknowledging the platform it has provided for artists.
"Forget the social media drama. If you see someone doing well financially, won't it be apparent? If the older man claims to be struggling, he certainly is. Do you want him to remain silent and suffer in poverty?" she questioned.
Reflecting on her work with both Papa Ajasco and Pa James, she expressed empathy towards their situations, emphasizing that she understands their struggles, even if they cannot articulate them completely. "These are men who diligently hustle with integrity, passion, and commitment to their crafts; I will always celebrate their talents. If I had the means, I would purchase a car and house for them and assist them financially without hesitation, as they certainly deserve it," she concluded.
In related developments, veteran Nigerian filmmaker Wale Adenuga responded to Ayoyinka's claims about financial distress, describing their relationship as friendly and calling Ayoyinka a versatile actor who captures the essence of the original character, Papa Ajasco. Adenuga also mentioned that Ayoyinka possesses a house in Ogun State.
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