It is gradually becoming the order of the day to see some of our finest Nollywood actors and actresses going public to beg for financial assistance particularly over their worsening state of health, and truth be told, this new normal is not something to be proud of for those in the entertainment industry. Hence, all stakeholders in the industry must do well to turn the fortune of its members, especially in the areas of welfarism.
You would agree with me that this is a bad trend in the industry, and it has to be nipped in the bud particularly not to discourage young people from joining the respectable profession.
Recall that in October this year, veteran actor Yul Edochie had cried out to the public that another actor Prince Emeka Ani was in dire need of financial help as he is down with diabetes which he has been battling since 2020. The actor, whose video on Instagram then went viral after he shared the clip, said he was still in a critical condition having suffered a partial stroke and partial blindness after he had undergone a surgery.
He even added that he might go totally blind if he does get the necessary treatment in time. “My name is Prince Emeka Ani, I am a Nollywood veteran actor. I have been sick since December 7, 2020. I was taken to the hospital for medication and surgery took place around my buttocks but because of the nature of the diabetes, the sore has refused to heal. I have been battling with my life ever since,” Prince Ani revealed while seeking for an urgent financial help from the well-meaning fans.
Prince Emeka Ani.
But as if that wasn’t enough, and we have another actor asking for financial help over an undisclosed illness. Announcing this on Instagram Wednesday, actress Foluke Daramola said in a video post that the Yoruba iconic actor Ojo Arowosafe, better known as, Fadeyi Oloro has been on his sick bed for some time and needs financial help.
Ojo Arowosafe aka Fadeyi Oloro
In the same clip, Fadeyi Oloro himself acknowledged the fact that people have been coming to his aide since his sickness started, he however said people shouldn’t abandon him to die as he can only live if they continue to come to his aide.
In the light of the Nollywood stars falling sick, is the time not ripe for the Nollywood to look inward and find an end to its members going public to seek for financial assistance? And I think it is high time the actresses and actors in the Nollywood industry developed a workable template to take care of its ailing members or members who have had accidents in the past. By workable template, I mean a functional healthcare insurance that would take care of health-related issues the actors and actresses might suffer from in the nearest future. This would not only help to save them from going public to ask for financial assistance but make them more respected.
