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Nollywood actress Yewande Adekoya has called for greater awareness and responsibility among Nigerians over practices she believes could be putting public health at risk.
Adekoya raised the concern in a video shared on Instagram on Friday, where she discussed allegations surrounding the use of harmful substances in food and agricultural products. She urged Nigerians to become more conscious of what they buy and consume while calling for collective action to address practices that could endanger lives.
Her comments came amid renewed conversations about serious illnesses in the country, following the death of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, and the recent revelation by another veteran actor, Musiliu Dasofunjo, better known as Baba Johunomi, about his battle with prostate cancer.
However, Adekoya did not directly attribute the illnesses or deaths to food adulteration. Instead, she used the developments to highlight what she described as broader concerns about public health and the responsibility of individuals within society.
The actress argued that Nigerians should not direct all responsibility towards the government, noting that citizens occupy different positions within the system, including as manufacturers, sellers, consumers and healthcare workers.
“We are forgetting that we are the people, we are the ones in government, we are the ones in the market, we are the ones at the hospitals. We are the manufacturers, we are the retailers, we are the sellers, we are the buyers,” she said.
Adekoya went on to raise concerns about reports she had encountered regarding the alleged treatment of food items with substances intended to change their appearance, smell or rate of ripening.
She mentioned claims involving chemicals allegedly used on bananas, substances said to give beans a kerosene-like smell, colouring agents reportedly added to palm oil and the use of plastic nylon while frying plantain.
The actress also referenced accounts shared by some of her followers, who claimed to have encountered suspicious food products.
One follower, identified as Mrs Lawal, reportedly narrated an experience involving bananas purchased in Lagos. She claimed that her palms became red and swollen after handling the fruit and that the banana subsequently turned black the following day.
Another follower, Miss Quinty Forever, reportedly said beans she purchased developed a kerosene-like smell after they were soaked. According to her account, her husband suspected that chemicals had been used on the beans.
Adekoya used the experiences to encourage Nigerians to pay closer attention to the quality of food they purchase and consume. She also criticised the practice of knowingly buying counterfeit or substandard products simply because they are cheaper.
According to the actress, the demand for cheaper products can encourage sellers and manufacturers who prioritise profit over safety.
“We don’t realise that we are killing ourselves. We are all the same. Everybody is greedy. Everybody is corrupt. Everybody wants fast money. So we don’t care about human lives,” she said.
Adekoya’s message also touched on the emotional burden faced by people living with serious illnesses. During the discussion, she responded to a cancer patient identified as Akande Alarape Abbas, who revealed in the comment section that he undergoes chemotherapy every three weeks.
The actress offered prayers for Abbas and others undergoing treatment, asking for strength and healing before ending her video with a rendition of the Christian hymn “It Is Well.”
In the caption accompanying the post, Adekoya questioned the origin of what she described as a worrying trend involving chemicals and other substances in food.
“Chemicals in our foods, fruits and veggies. Who are the people that started this poisonous trend in this country,” she wrote.
Her comments have added to ongoing public conversations about food safety, consumer awareness and the need for stronger accountability throughout Nigeria’s food supply chain.
While allegations about specific food-handling practices require appropriate investigation and scientific verification, Adekoya’s message highlights the importance of ensuring that food sold to the public is safe and properly regulated.
Watch her speak below…
#YewandeAdekoya
#FoodSafety
#Nollywood
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