My use of words has made me award-winning actor in Africa •Chiwetalu Agu replies Gideon Okeke

Following the censure from a much younger actor, Gideon Okeke, about his use of vulgar words in interpreting roles, veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu, has finally responded to the allegation, saying, among other things, that his use of words had made him “the highest award-winning actor in Africa”.

On social media last week, 93Days actor, Gideon Okeke, called the attention of the Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu’s use of salacious words in movies, stating that he always had to “check the sanity of my mind and ears whenever he comes on screen”.

He challenged the freedom the actor seems to enjoy with words and from movie producers (and directors), remarking that “to improve vulgarities in movies is not funny to me anymore as an audience member”.

He said, “NFVCB must be sleeping. Not all content is day time content. I may be wrong, but that’s my view.”

Though, the actor’s post received a lot of knocks and nods from fans and colleagues such as Chioma Akpotha, who took sides with Chiwetalu and Tony One Week, who chided Chioma for taking sides, the post was deleted, without any response from the veteran actor.

Chiwetalu Agu finally responded during the week, enjoining his traducers to leave the verdict to the censor’s board and the viewers. According to him, his use of words has made him the most award-winning actor in Africa.

Here is the full text: “Let him (Gideon) leave the censors board to do their job, or does he work with them. Anybody can say anything or come to whatever conclusion they please. The viewers would judge whether I use vulgar words in movies or not. People who watch movies are the ultimate judges.

“I do not even know who Gideon Okeke is; I do not think I have ever heard his name. If people like AMAA are talking to me about this, I would know how to react appropriately. But this is an individual I do not even know. He has his own style, and I have mine which has won me awards all over the continent and even beyond. This is the first time anyone will be accusing me of vulgarity. Others have been hailing me. What we do is satire; we are re-enacting what happens in the society.

“People I have encountered and those who have called me have been full of praises for me. It will also interest you to know that I am the highest award-winning actor in Africa. I have 47 awards to my name; and the second person behind me has not even got up to 10 awards. Two years ago, I took two cows to church to celebrate and thank God for giving me the highest number of awards in Africa. Secondly, I have done 727 productions. It is a rare record in Africa. I am also the current holder of the Best Veteran Actor award which was given to me in Ohio, United States of America.

“People like Olu Jacobs and other time-tested Nollywood practitioners were nominated for that same award but I was chosen. My record is the best in all ramifications. I have spent about 35 years in the movie industry, and I am a big pillar of Nollywood. ‘’Even former President Goodluck Jonathan confessed about three years ago that whenever he travels out of the country, foreign leaders ask after people like me, Jim Iyke, and Genevieve Nnaji. Because of that, he put N3bn into Nollywood’s account, and asked the former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to manage the funds for Nollywood. This fund is still open to Nollywood practitioners. It goes without saying that I am very big in Nollywood. I am a father, legend, and icon”.