Comic actor Kehinde Olasehinde, popularly known as Pa James, has spoken about his experience working with Wale Adenuga, creator of the television series Papa Ajasco and Company.
In an interview with media personality Lucky Udu, Kehinde said he still works with the producer and credited the show for boosting his fame.
“I still work with Wale Adenuga. He has been good to me. Working with him gave me popularity even more than when I was in yoruba movies. On money aspect, he really tried for me. I bought my first car when I started working with him. Before, we used to work back to back but now, once we shoot some episodes, they might not call us again until two years,” he said.
He, however, noted that the irregular nature of the job now requires actors to have other sources of income.
“To work with him now, you must have a side hustle so that you can pay your bills. I can work in other movies but I must not bear Pa James because the name has been trademarked. When I first started working with Wale Adenuga, I was paid N2,500 per episode. Right now, it is N45,000 per episode and it’s about 10 episodes a year’”
Papa Ajasco and Company, produced by Wale Adenuga Productions, has been on Nigerian television since the 1990s, with Pa James becoming one of its most recognised characters.
In a separate interview with Lucky Udu, Abiodun Ayoyinka, who plays Papa Ajasco, said the show brought fame but not steady income. He explained that production is done in batches, leaving actors without regular work between shoots, and noted the need for alternative sources of livelihood.
