Environment

Wale Adenuga Dismisses Papa Ajasco Actor’s Allegations

By Web News 86

Spicy &Trendy

Veteran filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer of Wale Adenuga Productions, Wale Adenuga has responded to claims by actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, popularly known as Papa Ajasco, that he is broke.

Ayoyinka sparked online reactions after alleging financial hardship despite his long-standing role in the popular TV series Papa Ajasco and Company.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Adenuga dismissed insinuations of neglect and described the narrative as “false and misleading,” while providing details about his relationship with the actor and the structure of their professional engagement.

“My first impression when I watched the Papa Ajasco video now trending on the internet and local TV channels was: ‘Okay, so this guy has taken Papa Ajasco comedy into the public space!’ It is all well and good. I am happy for him, as his money-making strategy using social media has apparently worked for him,” Adenuga said.

The media executive described Ayoyinka as a “versatile actor” who closely resembles the original character he created in 1976, adding that there had been no irreconcilable differences between them.

He said, “Candidly, I want to address the wave of misinformation, emotional commentary, and uninformed public intervention that has followed his recent media interview. I am doing this not with malice, but in the interest of truth, transparency, and the integrity of a legacy that has entertained millions of Nigerians for decades.

“I am doing this not with malice, but in the interest of truth, transparency, and the integrity of a legacy that has entertained millions of Nigerians for decades. Abiodun Ayoyinka was a civil servant with the Lagos State Government for over three decades. He was even the face of the state’s cultural troupe, which endeared him to the likes of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his time as governor, as well as his successors. He retired not too long ago. In fact, we used to seek permission from his office anytime we needed him on location.

“He bears the closest resemblance to the cartoon version of the Papa Ajasco character, which I created on my dining table in 1976 during my publishing days. He is very close to me, and so far, there has been no irreconcilable difference between us.”

Addressing claims of neglect, Adenuga stated that the production company had supported the actor over the years.

“On the car issue, we once gave him a car — and Pa James as well. He has also used at least five cars, including a Mercedes-Benz, at different times. And to the best of my knowledge, he has a house in Ogun State,” he said.

He explained that the restriction on the use of the “Papa Ajasco” brand name for personal ventures was necessary to protect its integrity, but clarified that actors were free to take on other jobs.

“Also, he has not been barred from accepting advert jobs. As he himself stated, all that is required is to seek official approval from a TV station. This is part of brand protection,” Adenuga said.

Questioning Ayoyinka’s claim of financial hardship, he added, “Now, the question is: why is Abiodun Ayoyinka claiming to be broke? Where are the investments from his over 30 years of meritorious service with the Lagos State Government? What happened to his gratuities?”

Adenuga further noted that other cast members, such as Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Boy Alinco, Miss Pepeiye, Akpan and Oduma regularly feature in other productions, indicating that the company does not restrict artistes from external engagements.

He added that actors typically spend only six weeks annually on set, allowing time for other pursuits.

“The organisation pays according to industry standards and ensures all financial obligations are fulfilled as and when due. Therefore, any narrative suggesting financial abandonment or exploitation by our organisation is entirely false and misleading,” he said.

Adenuga reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining professional relationships and thanked the public for its concern and support.

Culled/Adetutu Adetule

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Entertainment

‘Papa Ajasco’, One Role, Two Personalities

By Web News 2199

On Sunday, January 15th, 2023, Nigerians woke up to the news of the death of veteran Actor and ethnomusicologist, Femi Ogunrombi, who for a short time played the role of Papa Ajasco in Wale Adenuga comedy series “Papa Ajasco and Company”.

Actor ‘Papa Ajasco’ Is Dead

A Nigerian, Husseini Shaibu, who broke the news on his twitter handle, said, “I have just been reliably informed that the , former Music Instructor with @NATIONALTROUPE and one time stand in for the ‘Papa Ajasco’ character on the popular @waleadenugaprod Comic Series ‘Papa Ajasco’ Mr. Femi Ogunrombi is dead! Journey well Sir,” and accompanied it with the picture of the deceased.

Late Femi Ogunrombi

Papa Ajasco , the fictional womanising bald-headed husband, who often beats his head when astonished, was one of the greatest comic characters in Nollywood history.

The role was initially played by Richard Abiodun Ayoyinka, the man whose picture was erroneously used by some media houses and social media platforms rather than that of Femi Ogunrombi who played the role for just two years.

Abiodun Ayoyinka

The reason according to Ogunrombi, many years ago, was due to the fact that lovers of the TV series were connected more with Ayoyinka, the original Cast.

Subsequently, Ogunrombi was asked by Wale Adenuga to forfeit the role to the original actor.

“It was in the interest of Wale Adenuga Productions Company that I left. I don’t feel bad about leaving, but the thing is that quite a number of viewers tended to be with the other guy, and, like I said before, they see me as an elitist Papa Ajasco. Also, considering the market target of the sponsors, they felt they were losing viewers and money, I was nicely told and I reasoned with them and left,” Ogunrombi said during his lifetime.

“He said he was happy to play the role during his time and was friends with Ayoyinka during and after his time as Papa Ajasco”.

Before taking up role of Papa Ajasco, Ogunrombi was an entho-musicologist who made his mark in creative activities both in drama and musical scenes, spanning more than 25 years. He was a recipient of many local and international awards, most notably in 1995 when he was awarded a gold plaque and a Diploma Certificate in Creative Composition in North Korea for performing a song in that language.

During his active years in the industry, Ogunrombi was passionate about creative art education for children in schools. He once said “I feel that if creative arts can be encouraged in schools, particularly government schools, our kids would be able to build a solid entertainment sector. We want to discover them early so as to train and guide them.”

Abiodun Ayoyinka, Original Cast of Papa Ajasco

Ayoyinka, while reacting to his picture that was erroneously used, said he is still alive and appreciated his fans for their concern.

Papa Ajasco and Company (formerly The Ajasco Family) is a Nigerian family television sitcom created by Wale Adenuga in 1996.

The show is a spin-off of a feature film of the same title produced by Wale Adenuga in 1984, which in turn is based on the comic Ikebe Super.

The story revolves
around the Ajasco family and their comedic interpretations to major societal issues. The main characters include womanising patriarch Papa Ajasco, his long-suffering wife Mama Ajasco, their mischievous son Bobo Ajasco, local playboy Boy Alinco, promiscuous gold-digger Miss Pepeiye, and illiterate Pa James and Pa Jimoh. At its prime, Papa Ajasco was widely considered to be Nigeria’s most watched comedy series, viewed weekly in twelve African countries.

Olaolu Fawole

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Entertainment

Actor ‘Papa Ajasco’ Is Dead

By Web News 3137 Post a comment

Veteran Nollywood actor, Femi Ogunrombi aka Papa Ajasco, is dead.

His death was confirmed by a theatre practitioner, Husseini Shaibu, via his Twitter handle on Sunday,

He wrote, “I have just been reliably informed that the ethnomusicologist, former Music Instructor with #NATIONALTROUPE and one time stand in for the ‘Papa Ajasco’ character on the popular #waleadenugaprod comic series ‘Papa Ajasco’ Mr. Femi Ogunrombi is dead.”

Husseini Shaibu/Olaolu Fawole