Recently, Star Actor Odunlade Adekola was called out by a blogger who alleged that Adekola is one of the actors, producers and filmmakers who always ask for Sex from their protégées before featuring them in their movies. The practice is called “Sex for role” in the industry.
The allegation did
not go down well with many of Odunlade’s fans and colleagues. This is because
he’s one man, who is highly loved and respected in the industry. Many of his
fans even attacked the blogger online, while many said no matter what the
blogger says about him, it would not stop them from loving him, some have said
the Odunlade Adekola, they know does not mix business with pleasure. Many
Nollywood stars also threw their weight behind what they call Odunlade
Adekola’s impeccable character.
The allegation did
not go down well with the star actor who did a video clip to debunk the rumour and challenged every female
mentioned by the blogger including those
who have graduated from his school of acting, OAFP or those who are still under
him to comment under his post for the whole world to read if he had ever asked
any one of them for Sex before giving them roles.
A couple of them
who graduated from Odunlade Adekola Film Productions School and a few who are
still with him spoke to City People. Below is what they have to say about their
boss and how he has impacted them both in their careers and lives.
NIKE HAMZAT
Nike Hamzat is an
established Nollywood actress and brand ambassador. She started acting in 2012
and was shot to the limelight in 2016 when she played the role of “Dara Olarebikan”
in the Yoruba Movie Drama entitled: “Pepeye Meje”. She is a product of the
Odunlade Adekola Flim Production (OAFP) Academy. She has an Ordinary National
Diploma in Accounting from the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos State. Nike
Hamzat is currently an undergraduate student of the National Open University of
Nigeria (NOUN) She was introduced to the acting industry by Tunde Owokoniran
(Tilapia)
She told City
People that Odunlade Adekola is one of the kindest men I have ever known. He
has always protected me and other products of his Academy.
He actually gave me leverage in the industry. My experience at his acting school helped me so
much because it transformed me from a novice to a celebrated professional. Now,
that I am in the mainstream, I am determined to maintain my dignity in the industry.
I can confidently
say that he gives us (students of his film school) the leverage to explore our
talents. He protects and guides us through the hurdles in the industry. I can
boldly say that all the students, especially the females, are doing well in the
industry because of his ability to inculcate knowledge while adhering to
professional ethics.
He never gives room
for any of his students to be harassed or sexually embarrassed by colleagues.
OMOTOLA ODUNSI
Omotola Odunsi is
one of the fastest-rising actresses in the industry. Even though she has
graduated from Odunlade Adekola Film Production Academy, yet she’s still with
him, learning more. She is one of the popular faces you see in his
award-winning series Saamu Alajo.
We asked her how
her boss, Odunlade Adekola has made an impact on her career?
When I was in 200
level or thereabout in the university, I met with Lateef Adedimeji on campus.
Back then, he had an acting troupe, so I joined it. We usually engaged in stage
dramas and other entertainment activities. I recall that we used to go to other
universities for drama presentations. However, after some time, I had to stop.
Fast forward to 2018, I joined Odunlade Adekola Films Production. I attended an
audition organized by the platform and I was among the lucky ones who were
chosen. My boss, Ambassador Odunlade Adekola, is a nice man, a God-fearing man
worth being emulated. He’s a teacher. Joining Odunlade Adekola Production was a
prayer answered for me because I prayed and fasted about it before I joined.
It’s highly spiritual for me to get in touch with my boss. I do call him daddy
not just because he’s my boss, but the grace of God upon his life, which I
always I identify with and respect.
Odunlade Adekola is
a man who accommodates people. He accommodates talents. He’s a man who will
encourage you to bring out the best in you. I’ve never met him doing rubbish
because he’s a disciplinarian. The orientation many of us have in this industry
today came from what he inculcated in us. My boss is so awesome and I’m proud
to say that I’m one of his mentees. There was a day I said to myself that I
wanted to leave the industry because of the many advances I was getting from
men. He said to me “Omotola, as your boss, have I ever asked you out or asked
you for sex? I said ‘No’ sir, then he said I should never mind all those men
making such advances and face my career. So, Ambassador Odunlade is a true
leader, he’s a good man. And I always pray to make him proud one day and tell
the whole world about him.
BUKOLA ADEEYO
Bukola Adeeyo is an
actress and movie producer, born in Oyo State. She is the first child in a
family of four, and she grew up in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun State. After her
secondary education, she attended Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. She was introduced
to acting in 2008 after joining Odunlade Adekola Films Production (O.A.F.P).
She got her first movie role in a movie, Ile-Owo, but rose to prominence after
starring in the movie “Sunday Dagboru”. She produced her own movie, Ajenigbe, and
has since featured in several other movies including Omo Adugbo, Abike
standing, Feresise Mi and so on.
She told City
People that Odunlade has been great, being a good boss and mentor. I joined
Odunlade Adekola Films Productions in 2008 when my brother took me to his place
and I thank God he has always been there for me. Kudos to him for all his
efforts. Odunlade Adekola is my mentor and my godfather. He is someone that it
is only when you are close to him that you will understand his personality. He
is a mentor, indeed. I draw inspiration from him.
ENIOLA AJAO
Eniola Ajao is a versatile actress with lots of talent as she delivers her script
excellently well. She is from Epe in Lagos State. Eniola studied accounting at
the University of Lagos. She joined the movie industry in 2004 and she has
starred in over 75 Nollywood movies. She got her first movie role in a film:
“Igba Aimo”, which was written and produced by Adesanya Adeshina. She joined
Odunlade Adekola in 2012 and has been with him to date
We asked her to tell
us about her boss, and how he has made
an impact on her life and career?
"In 2004, I
was working as an Account Clerk in a firm where I came across Mr Adesanya
Adeshina a.k.a Great Value. He is a well-known Producer in the industry. He
heard about my passion for acting and took me under his supervision for two
years. Further on, I stopped acting for a while because I needed to finish up
with my degree programme. Then in 2010 when I was already done with school, I
made that decision to come back to the industry, and I was fortunate to get
training under the supervision of Mr Odunlade Adekola and since then he has
been the top on my list. He is my father, who laid the foundation for what I
have become today. Odunlade Adekola also serves as a role model because he
inspires me a lot and I have learnt tremendously from him. I aspire to be like
him one day." She concluded.
Many will agree
that the celebrated, talented actor, Odunlade Adekola has become a Master at
what he does. He is a successful actor and a household name. Even a 2-year-old
child can easily recognize his face. His delivery and his ability to interpret
scripts have made him the most sought-after actor for many producers, and
marketers. He has, no doubt, contributed to the growth of the movie industry
with his tenacity. His work and skills have been well accepted, appreciated by
all and sundry, locally and internationally. Odunlade Adekola is arguably the
most active Yoruba actor in the industry today as he has featured and produced
80% of Yoruba home videos.
Having started
acting at a very early age, according to him, whenever any anniversary was to
hold in his church “Christ Apostolic Church, Lafenwa, Abeokuta,” he and a
friend named Tunde, would request to play jesters, and the request was always
granted. He would then write a “script” for a comedy play, involving just two
characters (him and his friend). That was how it all began for this fantastic
actor, director and producer.
Adekola has
featured in many Nollywood movies in both English and Yoruba. He professionally
began acting in 1996, the same year he joined the Association of Nigeria
Theatre Arts practitioners and was under the tutelage of the late Nollywood
actor and producer, Isola Durojaiye. (also known as Alasari). He had starred, scripted,
produced and directed several films over the years.
Let us remind you
that in April 2014, Odunlade won the Africa Movie Academy Award, having
emerged as the best actor of the year alongside Fathia Balogun, who emerged as the
best actress of the year in December 2015. He also won City PeopleEntertainment
Awards Best Actor of the Year (2009), City People Entertainment Awards Best
Actor of the Year (2011), City People Entertainment Awards Best Actor of the
Year (2014), City People Entertainment Awards Best Actor of theYear (2015),
African Magic Movie Award for Best Actor, African Magic MovieAward for Best
Existing Actor in the movie, Pepeye Meje. Let us also remind you that he
recently won AMVCA 2018 Award as the best comic actor of the year in a movie, a
million baby, a movie which has got over 10 nominations within and outside
Nigeria just because of the award-winning actor, Odunlade’s delivery in that
movie.
Odunlade recently
bagged a degree from the University of Lagos where he studied Business
Administration. The very excited actor posted a photo of himself, looking nice
in his convocation gown and he captioned it with a quote: “Glory be to God” on
May 9, 2018.
SUNDAY ADIGUN
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