If you doubt the power and influence of Nollywood, ask the family of the late Mayowa Ahmed, the cancer patient who got over N90m in three days simply by having Nollywood stars who took it upon themselves to bring her plight to the attention of the world.
However, Nollywood seems to have abandoned one of its own, Leo Mezie, an actor who needs N10m for his kidney-related illness.
When the news of Mezie’s illness became public knowledge, many people accused Nollywood stakeholders of insulting the sensibility of Nigerians by asking people to contribute money for Mezie, when in actual fact, stakeholders in the industry could have easily done so.
A twitter user said, “Leo Mezie is dying yet you live lavish lifestyles and will post farewell message when he dies #rubbish”. Another Instagram user said, “Nollywood actors and actresses be falling hand! Begging for ‘just’ N10m for weeks now for Leo Mezie.”
It was learnt that no Nollywood practitioner has given more than N50, 000.
Recently, Chioma Okoye, who is at the forefront of raising funds for the actor, went on social media to appeal to Nollywood practitioners to give to Mezie, since a lot of Nigerians expect that Nollywood should be able to assist one of its own.
She said,“This is a reminder alert for us all (Nollywood practitioners) about our ailing brother actor who has been down with kidney failure for a while now, to please do not forget to donate your widow’s mite to this cause. We have been on this campaign to raise N10m for his treatment abroad which is already looking feeble considering the high exchange rate and his constant dialysis here in Nigeria. We have raised about N6m and we are using this opportunity to thank those who have donated. However, we still have to raise more money. We said every single practitioner should at least donate an average of N2, 000. Whatever your heart sees to give is well appreciated. His visa is out. He is ready to travel but we still do not have at least N10m deposit fund. We have a detailed bank statement showing every practitioner who has donated. Members of the public, if it touches your heart, please assist and donate to this humane cause and joy shall never cease from your lives.’’
A Nollywood practitioner who doesn’t want his name in print told Sunday Scoop the reasons many practitioners have not done much is because the industry doesn’t have the kind of money many people think it has. “We are not that rich, many people just think that we have a lot of money. Where do you expect actors and actress that take less than 200,000 and in some cases 500,000 to be able to raise N10m? So if Nigerians truly want to help, they should not look up to the actors,” he said. When Sunday Scoop asked Mezie if he was disappointed with the way his colleagues were handling the issue, he said, “I am not disappointed at all; I appreciate what they have been doing for me. First of all, N10m is not enough for my treatment. My colleagues have been there for me. They have been trying their best. No matter what the situation has come to, they have been supportive and have been sending the little they can afford and as often as possible. They come to my house, give me food and cash gifts. They have been very fantastic and I appreciate them. I do not feel disappointed at all.”
PUNCH
