Actor Kunle Afod has explained why he decided to start publicising his charity work for aging Nollywood stars.
Speaking with actress Biola Adebayo, the 51-year-old said he has been supporting veterans privately for many years.
“I have been doing this for a very long time. I remember a time my wife came home and said she met with Aunty Biola today. I remember I went to your house then at Ojodu and how you have been out of the movie scene for a while. And you told me a lot of things you were going through. I said you would still pick it up,” he recalled.
“That is what I have been doing for a very long time and for a lot of people.”
According to Afod, he decided to go public with his gestures after turning 50.
“When I decided to go public was during my 50th birthday, my comment section read: ‘They only know how to do party. They do not take care of the old actors who paved way in the industry’. I said we have been doing it but people have not been seeing in the public space,” he said.
“After that I decided I was going to go public with the help rendering. As God would have it, it even helped the elderly ones. That is why I stuck to all the veterans alone. You said our veterans are suffering. So, I am on them now.”
Kunle Afod has in recent years intensified his outreach to industry veterans, paying visits to several elderly actors and extending financial and emotional support.
Days ago, Kunle gifted N2 million to veteran actress Iya Osogbo as she marked her 95th birthday. Videos of his visits to other Nollywood pioneers have also gone viral on social media.
The filmmaker has also urged Nollywood stakeholders to create more opportunities for older actors to remain relevant in the industry.
