Kola Olaiya Calls Out Pete Edochie's Pride

Veteran actor Kola Olaiya has accused Pete Edochie of being proud. He claims Edochie has not acknowledged the older theatre practitioners who helped shape the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Olaiya spoke during an interview with Oyinmomo TV. He said Edochie should recognize the work of veteran entertainers who started their careers long before Edochie joined.

He stated, "I have known him for long that pride is in his blood. That is why he cannot pay homage to the elders that made him."

Olaiya pointed to the late Hubert Ogunde as one of the industry pioneers whose work predates Edochie’s career. He highlighted how Ogunde began his theatre journey in 1944 after leaving the police.

Ogunde produced several films and recorded hit songs before Edochie was born. Olaiya asked, “Ogunde had been acting before Pete was born. After that, some people like Oyin Adejobi, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, were joining. Where was Pete Edochie then?”

Olaiya believes Edochie might think he has no seniors in the South East. But he insists that is not the case for all of Nigeria.

“If Pete says in his own tribe, he doesn’t have a boss, I wouldn’t know, but here in the whole Nigeria, no,” he said.

Olaiya also shared his experience working with Ogunde. He described Ogunde as a father figure and a boss who greatly influenced his life and career.

He mentioned that he eventually wrote a resignation letter to Ogunde. He explained his reasons for leaving the theatre group.

Olaiya talked about a situation concerning cars for group members. He said he heard that Ogunde bought vehicles for some of them. However, Baba Sala later clarified that the cars were bought with loans from Ogunde.

He added that Ogunde also raised the salaries of group members. But Olaiya later found out that four naira was being deducted from their pay.

Despite these issues, Olaiya expressed gratitude to Ogunde for the chances and support he received while working with him.