Nollywood veteran actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has spoken out regarding the ban put on her and some of the leading actors by movie marketers way back in 2005.
Omotola, in an interview with the Yanga FM Nigeria, said that this episode was a turning point in her career. And that this episode changed her perception of life and work.
She noted that the ban influenced eight of the largest stars of Nollywood at the period. Which comprised Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nkem Owoh, and an additional actor. The restriction also denied them access to collaborate with some of the film marketers. And this greatly reduced their participation in movie projects at that time.
According to Omotola Jalade, the marketers claimed the actors were a negative influence on the industry. She explained, “They banned some of us at that time. Marketers said we too get Walahi because we dey try better the industry then, and that our wahala too much that we are a bad influence on the industry because we dey push for standards.”
However, she insisted the real issue was their push for higher standards, professionalism, and better quality in filmmaking, efforts that reportedly clashed with the interests of those controlling production and distribution.
Some of the actors were reinstated after approximately a year but Omotola was banned longer. She claims she was exclude longer because she chose not attend a reconciliation meeting. Which was arranged by the marketers, which further strained the already strained relationship.
Nevertheless, Omotola Jalade did not want to sit and do nothing. She explore the world of music, her first album released and concentrated on business and especially investments and real estate.
Considering the experience, she stated that the ban eventually prompted her to look at new directions. Instead of focusing on the things she could not change, and she believed that it never made her career further.
Recounting the incident, she said, “The first eight were me, Genevieve, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Stella Damasus, RMD, Nkem Owoh, and one other person. We were eight—they just banned us.”
