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 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 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 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 a 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 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 till 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 of 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 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.
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