Veteran Yoruba actor Sesan Adio, popularly known as Pa Ojoge, has shared a heartbreaking account of his financial struggles and alleged neglect by the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).
In an emotional interview on Agbaletu TV, the comic actor, who gained fame in the 1970s, revealed that he now depends on the kindness of friends and well-wishers for survival.
“I do not have money. I rely on other people to survive. I get money from people who I have known for long. Sometimes people give me ₦5,000, others ₦10,000. That’s how I’m taking care of my children and wife,” he said tearfully.
Pa Ojoge, who became famous for his humorous roles alongside the late Otolo, also disclosed that he recently lost a child but received no support or acknowledgment from TAMPAN, unlike fellow actress Peju Ogunmola, whose loss was publicly recognized by the association.
“I lost my child before Peju Ogunmola lost hers, but TAMPAN did not post mine. They only posted Peju’s because I don’t have money. If you are broke, the industry will not recognize you,” he lamented.
He further noted that even a local TAMPAN chairman in Shomolu criticized the association’s selective treatment, describing it as unfair to struggling members.
“My chairman in Shomolu lambasted them that it was not supposed to be that way. The job only recognizes those that are rich, not those that are poor,” he added.
Born in Ibadan, Pa Ojoge began acting in the 1970s and became a household name through stage plays, Yoruba classics, and popular television shows, including Face2Face.
His revelation has reignited conversations about the poor welfare of veteran actors in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with many calling on TAMPAN and other guilds to create a sustainable support system for ageing entertainers who once brought joy to millions.