Nigerian comedian and filmmaker Ayo Makun has cleared the air on reports of shading his female colleagues, Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, others.
Kemi Filani reported that Ay, who released his highly anticipated film, The Waiter, had cried out over the lack of support from his colleagues. Makun lamented how men only support entities who have breasts and bottoms, despite the other gender working hard to stay relevant and uphold their responsibilities. He bragged about being the only man left in filmmaking who has not given up and vows to continue pushing his movie personally.
His post was, however, misinterpreted to be a dig at his female colleagues who are currently breaking records at the box office.
Taking to his Instagram page to set the record straight, AY made it clear that his post has nothing to do with them as they have all supported and encouraged him to date. He stated that his post was aimed at men who are fond of supporting women over their gender. Ayo noted how men support each other; they cultivate a brotherhood that uplifts everyone, allowing them to grow emotionally and mentally.
“Taking people’s points out of context is always easy and good for content in the social media space.
And I repeat, “WEY TIN MAN DO MAN?” Begging your fellow male actors to join you in promoting your film shouldn’t be a big deal. Especially when I have always positioned myself to do the same for everyone. Do you know how frustrating it is to pay actors who end up promoting other films and abandoning the one that they are in… EVEN with signed contracts?
My last tweet has nothing to do with the hardworking women who are winning in the industry as they all have my direct support and encouragement to date. In our journey towards a more equitable and compassionate society, it’s crucial to recognize that support must extend across all genders, MEN SHOULD ALSO SUPPORT MEN.
I can’t be judged for coming out to say my mind. Too often, societal expectations dictate how men should behave—stoic, strong, and self-reliant. Being quiet as men when we face challenges and struggles is the reason why many of us die before our time. If I say to you that I have a good film that demands the support of my fellow men, kindly join me in fostering an environment where I can feel empowered to share my vulnerabilities, fears, and challenges that will break down unforeseen barriers.
The women in the business are my friends, and nothing has changed. Asking for help from my colleagues directly or indirectly should be seen as a strength, not a weakness. When men support each other, we cultivate brotherhood that uplifts everyone, allowing us to grow emotionally and mentally just the way @basketmouth and I are doing at the moment.
Let’s commit to being allies to one another. Let’s show up, listen, and support each other with the same fervor we extend to women. Together, we can redefine what it means to be strong and create a community where every man feels valued and heard.
THE WAITER IS SHOWING IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE”.