Gideon Okeke Slams Aisha Lawal For Saying ‘Yorubas Started Nollywood And Own The Industry’

Nollywood actor, Gideon Okeke has confronted his fellow colleague, Aisha Lawal, regarding her claims that Yoruba actors and filmmakers exclusively “own Nollywood.”

During a recent interview with Tribune, Aisha Lawal claimed that the Yoruba community held ownership over the Nollywood film industry, citing their pioneering role.

The actress emphasized that historical figures such as Hubert Ogunde and Ade Love were instrumental in its inception. Her stance implied that the industry had its roots within the Yoruba culture and heritage.

She said: “We own the industry. Go back to research. The industry belongs to the Yoruba people. If you go back to research, you will hear from people like Hubert Ogunde and Ade Love. I don’t want to go into details.

“But, if you go and research very well, you will discover that Yorubas own this industry, we started this industry. We messed up at some point, but we are not playing catch-up. We are there already. Now, everybody wants to shoot a Yoruba movie.”

Reacting to the controversial statement, Gideon Okeke took to his Instagram page to express his disagreement with Aisha’s perspective.

The actor criticized her assertion and contended that Nollywood doesn’t belong exclusively to any single tribe; rather, it’s a collective entity.

He wrote, “The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood as it is called, is not owned by the Yorubas. The Gold in the North of Nigeria is not owned by the Hausas. The oil in the south and South East is not owned by the Igbo or Riverine dwellers.

“The acronym WA-ZO-BIA is a wrapper that ties and joins us all, by the hip. One belle botton, Stop being uber ridiculous with your blinded quest for individuality. Your separatist behaviour reeks of ignorant entitlement

“Your Education(?) is Nothing, if it can’t impart a positive, inclusive change in the world around You. Spits —> TUEH! N O N E S E N S E.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Gideon Okeke had also slammed women who are fond of showing off their body parts in a bid to get validation on social media.