African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), Dr. John Metchie, has decried the abnormal condition of Nigerian celebrities, especially Nollywood and Kannywood actors and actresses, whom he described as endangered species.
Metchie observed in a press statement today after a delegation he sent on Thursday visited ailing Nollywood actor Amaechi Muonagor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State.
The delegation presented the Nollywood legend with various gifts, including cash and other items.
Reacting to the feedback he got from the delegation on the condition of the comic actor, Metchie, who is also the Prime Minister of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), said it was unfortunate that men and women who chose to be sources of our joy and happiness through their unique acts in movies are left in the cold when they need help.
According to Metchie, also the President General of the Umueri community, the majority of celebrities in the United States, China, Europe, and other countries do not put up half of what Nigerian actors and actresses do, yet those are billionaires while our celebrities wallow in poverty despite their sacrifices.
He said, “I had planned to visit the Nollywood legend Mr. Amaechi Mounagor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, but something came up that I must attend to. I therefore sent a delegation to visit him.
“Although the actor was happy for the visit and expressed his gratitude, the feedback from the delegation concerning his condition, added to what has been happening in a couple of months to many Nigerian celebrities, has made me so sad to think that we as a people cannot show love, concern, and care to the people who bring laughter to our homes.
I have been doing my little best in secret, but it is time to shout out that we, the Nigerian people, should reach out to the needy, including these celebrities, many of whom are dying in silence because they are ashamed to bring their condition to the public.
“In the last few months, many actors and actresses have died, mainly because they do not have the financial capabilities to approach good-quality medical facilities for fear of picking up their bills. So, we have lost several of them, and we just move on as if nothing happened,” Metchie said.
He called on state and federal governments to do the needful by, first of all, taking full responsibility for the treatment of Amaechi Muonagor and all celebrities who are currently sick, including Mr. Ibu and others.
The IAWPA African Director also called on President Bola Tinubu to take a bold step, as he has taken many sectors to intervene on the issue of the wellbeing of actors and actresses in Nigeria by launching what he called the ‘Entertainers’ Health Insurance Fund’ to comprehensively take care of actors, actresses, and others in the nation’s entertainment industry.
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