Once again the general public are made to witness a ‘super
star’ displaced from the high pedestal by illness and made to beg for his very
own existence. A familiar scenario that plays out on a regular basis in this
great movie industry called Nollywood. Ever too often a thespian fall into hard
times and then fall into a serious ailment, or the other way round. Then, like
a chaperone to a blind beggar, colleagues will go cap in hand soliciting for
funds to help the actor back to good health.
(more after the cut)
Last week, it came as a shock to many when it was announced
that popular Yoruba actor, Kayode Odumosu popularly known as Pa Kasumu was sick
and cannot afford to treat himself. For one, the actor had been conspicuously
absent on sets in recent times and no one really knew why. His colleagues
especially those close to him obviously had been aware of his situation for
long. As the actor himself revealed his predicament had been on for over a
year.
The actor in his statement to the press is said to be
battling a life-threatening Bi-ventricular failure a form of heart and liver
condition. He is also said to be in the early stages of Parkinson’s Syndrome.
Both ailments are very serious and require urgently treatment. Both ailments
are believed to be beyond treatments in Nigeria and can only be treated abroad.
He says he needs N12m to get the much needed treatment.
From his Mushin home, the actor in a video obviously shot
with a phone explained his predicament and even showing his x-ray picture to
prove he is indeed sick. “I want all Nigerians to help me out of this
unfortunate situation that I find myself. I wouldn’t have bothered anybody with
my problem if I am still agile and can move here and there to do my job, but
unfortunately I couldn’t, as the sickness has weighed me down. I don’t have any
money any longer after exhausting all my savings, as well as sold most of my
properties.” the actor said, sobbing.
Narrating the genesis of the ailment, Odumosu said it all
started in 2008, when he visited his family doctor for a routine check-up after
he noticed some strange feelings. According to him, at the clinic, the doctor
conducted a series of tests which produced uncomplimentary results. He was then
referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, for a comprehensive
assessment. At LUTH, they later discovered that his heart, kidney and liver
were not functioning properly after months of various examinations.
“Since 2009, I have been undergoing major cardio treatment
in LUTH three times a week. Some times in a day, I will have between four and
eight tests, and all these test were very expensive with some as high as
N150,000,” Odumosu explained.
Instantly, Text messages, Blackberry broadcasts, e-mails,
and on social mediums, aid request for the actor has been in full swing. Not
long it is said that the governor of Lagos State has given Odumosu the N12m he
needed. But that we have not verified. But it is confirmed that Odumosu is in a
private hospital in Lagos and the treatment he is getting is backed by the
State governor.
Some are also not happy with the tail between the leg and
cap in hand approach of raising funds for sick actors. Speaking with Best of
Nollywood director Seun Olojetuyi, he shed more light on the situation with Odumosu.
“I have been receiving false Blackberry messages on the involvement of Governor
Fashola in Odumosu’s case. What I can confirm is that Governor Fashola saw Pa Kasunmu’s case on Channels Tv
and instructed his Aides to reach the Actor, he was reached and the Government
house doctors were given strict instructions to take him to a specialist and
recommend what necessary treatment he requires,” Seun said. Speaking on the
habit of soliciting money from the public, he said, “It is time for us all to
challenge the leadership of Association of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners (ANTP),
Actors Guild and other Associations to join hands with concerned minds and
build a structured insurance policies for his members, if Fashola is a caring
governor to Nollywood practioners and is doing all this, a new governor might
come one day and not be so caring to actors and insist that all citizens must
be treated equally be it actor or lawyer.”
Speaking with Jide Kosoko he said, “We are shocked to hear
of Kay’s ailment. He has never really complained to anybody about this, as we
discovered that he has quietly managed the health problem without bothering
anyone. Though, I know he is ill but never knew it was as grave as this.”
According to Kosoko, rather than wait to raise money for
funeral, the ANTP has already set up a committee to see how they can be of help
in bringing Pa Kasumu back to good health, while appealing to all Nigerians,
especially Lagos and Ogun States government to come to the aid of their dear
colleague.
Francis Olukayode Olugbenga Odumosu was born on the 16th of
March 1953 in Agbeni area of Ibadan, Oyo State, though, he is from Ogun State
by origin. His father is from Odogbolu while his mother is from Ake also in
Ogun State.
Pa Kasumu started his career at age 15; taking up roles on
stage under the tutelage of Elder Chief Ayinla Olumegbon whom he knew through his
actor Uncl popularly called “Brother Simbat”. His first work was a stage play
titled “Iyawo Orun in 1968. He had gone ahead to appear in several stage plays,
television dramas and movies. He had also directed and produced a few of his
own. He is married with children.
The means of gathering money for him may seem crude yet it
still remains the only effective way so far in assisting sick movie
practitioners. other climes, Hollywood to be precise, there are various levels
of coverage for an actor that makes sure that they not only receive proper
health care anytime but also remain financially secure. First, actors are
encouraged to get personal health insurance. Then they are insured by the
Screen Actors Guild. They are also insured on every set they work on.
All these may seem too expensive for an average actor or
guild as a whole in Nigeria, but a personal health insurance is very vital for
an actor given the stressful nature of their work and the frequency with which
they travel. Speaking with the Actors Guild of Nigeria president, Ibinabo
Fiberesima, she explains that there is actually a scheme that insures actors
but many actors refuse to take advantage of the scheme.
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