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Veteran Nollywood actor Kola Olaiya has questioned Pete Edochie's position within Nigeria's entertainment industry, arguing that the celebrated actor should acknowledge the contributions of older practitioners who helped establish the foundation of Nigerian theatre.
Olaiya made the remarks during an interview with Oyinmomo TV, where he expressed displeasure over what he described as Edochie's reluctance to pay respect to industry pioneers who came before him.
According to Olaiya, several theatre personalities had already made significant contributions to the entertainment industry before Edochie began his acting career.
He maintained that their achievements deserved recognition, regardless of the prominence younger generations of performers had attained.
The veteran actor mentioned Hubert Ogunde, Oyin Adejobi, Duro Ladipo and Kola Ogunmola among the notable figures whose work helped shape Nigerian theatre.
Olaiya questioned why Edochie should be considered the most senior figure in the country's entertainment industry, suggesting that his standing might be viewed differently within his own cultural community.
He also alleged that pride had influenced Edochie's attitude towards older practitioners. However, his comments reflected Olaiya's personal assessment of the actor rather than an independently established account of Edochie's conduct.
During the interview, Olaiya also reflected on his relationship with Hubert Ogunde, whom he regarded as a father figure who played an important role in his personal development and professional journey.
He disclosed that his time with Ogunde's theatre company eventually ended following disagreements concerning the purchase of cars for members of the group.
Ogunde remains an important figure in the history of Nigerian performing arts. His theatrical production, The Garden of Eden and The Throne of God, was staged at Lagos's Glover Memorial Hall on June 12, 1944, marking an important moment in the development of modern Nigerian theatre.
He left the Nigerian Police Force in 1946 to concentrate on theatre and continued building a career that combined drama, music and dance to address social and political issues.
His contributions later extended to filmmaking, with productions including Aiye and Jaiyesimi. Ogunde died in London on April 4, 1990, at the age of 73.
Olaiya's comments have brought renewed attention to the importance of recognising the pioneers whose work created opportunities for subsequent generations of Nigerian actors.
His position highlights an ongoing question within the entertainment industry: how established performers can preserve the history of Nigerian theatre while acknowledging the contributions of those who laid its foundations.
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