Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade has come under heavy criticism after opining that he began his acting career before Nollywood icon Pete Edochie.
TheNewsGuru reports that thespian made the remarks behind the scenes of The Father’s Path with Temitope podcast, where he addressed what he described as misinformation about the origins of Nigeria’s booming film industry.
“The first man that shot home video in this country, his name is Ade Ajiboye (Big Abass); he’s alive,” the actor said.
The actor further explained that the concept of recording performances for home viewing began as an experiment in the Yoruba theatre scene. “We have been doing it… there was celluloid, we did that,” he said.
Solade went on to list the names of early pioneers of Yoruba cinema including Hubert Ogunde, Baba Sala, Ade Love and Ola Balogun.
“Some of them have gone,” he added.
He stressed that due to proper documentation, many Yoruba filmmakers don’t often get the credit they deserve. “It all started like that… my people in the Yoruba setting didn’t document anything,” he said.
“That’s why some people in the film industry will come out to boast saying they started.”
“They didn’t start anything. Living in Bondage was not the first movie. But because they romanced the media while my people were doing the act. Agreed, most of them weren’t schooled and they didn’t have access to media,” he added.
Speaking about his own career, the actor said, “I started acting before Pete Edochie, but he’s older than me. I was 17 in 1977 when I represented Nigeria at Festac 77 as the youngest actor. I’ve done 48 years and I’m still standing.”
Yemi Solade’s remark have attracted alot of backlash as many accused him of being disrespectful to Pete Edochie.
Reacting one user wrote, “Pete Edochie was already a superstar when many of us were kids. Whether it was radio, stage or TV, he made an impact. This statement by Yemi Solade is unnecessary.”
Another user added, “This is not how you compare legacies. Even if you came before him, the impact is what matters. Pete Edochie is a legend.”
Another user on X commented: “Things Fall Apart was in 1971, how did he start acting before Pete Edochie tho.”
Another offered a more balanced view: “Everybody grace different. You can carry yourself up without talking someone down… Most important thing is both men… are recognised in the industry.”
