Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: but if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
The above quote from the holy book, Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 which speaks about our needs and desire to live a health life but our lifestyle and prevailing circumstances wage war with our resolve. In this clime, failing health conditions among the rich and poor, middle income earners, low income earners and even the high networth face debilitating conditions in our health and wellness caused by different factors.
The recent sad tale of veteran actors Amaechi Mounagor and John Okafor (Mr Ibu) in worsening health conditions and in need for funds, is a reflection of the frayed entertainment industry that cannot fully plan and take care of their oldies and also the excessive alcohol drinking and smoking lifestyle of some entertainers and need to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Amaechi Muonagor three weeks ago, had publicly solicited help as he battled brain attack called stroke. The veteran who made his health condition known in order to attract well meaning Nigerians to pay his towering medical bills, noted he had been in Nnewi hospital for two months and thought he would get better with treatment but it exacerbated.
John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu went through an ordeal of a strange sickness that got to the public after he sent out an SOS few weeks ago on his ailing health and shared an Access bank account through his adopted daughter, Jasmine for donations. Based on ths massive response, Mr Ibu who is 62, underwent seven successful surgeries, with one of his legs being amputated, in a battle to save his life.
Death Inevitable
In 2023, a good number of practitioners died in the entertainment industry. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, one of the icons of Nollywood and founder of Africa Film Academy which organised the annual African Movies Academy Awards (AMAA). Peace, a recipient of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), died at the St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos on the 9th of January, 2023 at 53 after suffering a heart attack which led to to a two-day coma she underwent.
Veteran actor, Chief Sunday Akanbi Akinola who made fame with the NTA 7 drama series, “ ‘Feyikogbon’ died of Kidney failure at the age of 80 on January 9, 2023. But before then, he had solicited for help from the public in 2019 for financial assistance to treat the illness, adding that acting had only given him fame without finance.
Popular actor and movie producer, Obinna Nwafor aka Saint Obi passed on at age 57 after a protracted illness in May, 2023. His death was met with questions on what he may have endured due to the events that led to his demise- his separation with spouse and children as recounted by key Nollywood practitioners. Saint Obi battled an undisclosed illness for a long period.
All these sad tales of persons in the klieglights who die due to circumstances of ill health that could have been prevented perhaps if funds and urgent care met with their conditions. Also the trends of actors and musicians crying out for funds and help to pay medical bills, had made the industry to be perceived as not caring for its own in their twilight season.
Guild Heads Speak On Insurance Plan
The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas who spoke to our correspondent noted that the guild which has one of largest membership of actors and practitioners, has an existing health insurance in place as this was one of his cardinal goals on becoming president at his first tenure in 2019.
Mr Rollas stated that though AGN has an health maintenance organization (HMO) they subscribed to but the apathy by members still persists as many don’t see the need to part with money for this and some members have their own individual health plan and don’t need to subscribe to another.
“Indeed AGN has its own health insurance as we have an existing HMO with 600 Standard Hospitals scattered across cities in Nigeria and available for our members where everyone can get treatment at a standard level, at a basic level and at the VIP level,” Rollas stated.
He however noted that because of the nature of the industry as actors don’t earn a salary but only get paid as their services are utilized per production, adding that his administration has made the HMO available for both veterans and young actors, with its terms and conditions.
“Also you and I know that our industry is not so structured. Money that comes to actors do not come from the guild. The actor must be the one to embrace what is good for him or her and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Our job is that we keep telling our members to embrace the affordable health plan and not think they don’t need it as you can never tell.
“One cannot as it’s being said, lead the camel to the water trough and force him to drink. The person just has to decide what is good for himself or herself” he stated.
Emeka Rollas who was part of the panelists in the Nollywood session of the recently held Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) weighed in on the health conditions of actors and practitioners in Nollywood and stated that not all of these actors are members of AGN as “people assume that those are our members just because they are actors and Identify with the guild.
“It is disheartening to hear about an actor begging for money on social media and his colleagues join in helping him to solicit for funds online, without asking why didn’t you take advantage of the health insurance that your guild has for all members? This is the situation we are facing and I can assure you all our members are well taken care of as some have realized the need to have a health insurance plan. We can only cater for those that subscribed”, says AGN President.
For the Theatre Arts And Motion Pictures Practitioners Association Of Nigeria (TAMPAN) which houses most of the thespians from the Yoruba extraction, the story seems not to be different as actors seems to possess a confidence that they will be in the game forever and a lesser percentage really plan for the non-active season of their careers.
A phone call put through to the president of TAMPAN , Mr Bolaji Amusan popularly known as Mr LATIN, yielded no fruits as he refused to comment if there exists a health insurance plan for members of TAMPAN or if most of its members had subscribed or not. “I will not comment on this (our health insurance plan)! My brother, I insist I don’t have anything to say to this now, maybe later. Thank you for your effort,” he responded on phone.
Life indeed is a gift and since we only have this one life and the state of our physical health and mental health, is crucial, wherever sector or endeavour we find ourselves our health should be a priority.
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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