Veteran actor, Dejumo Lewis, famous for his role as Kabiyesi in The Village Headmaster, Nigeria’s classic TV soap which also paraded late actors, Justus Esiri and Femi Robinson, has come out to say he’s broke.
In a recent interview with Punch, the 72-year-old thespian stated that he has never been rich even though people refer to him as a legend or an icon.
According to him: ‘I must admit that I have not been rich. I am the poorest paid actor even though people call me a legend or an icon. My pensions were not paid at a time even though it is stipend. You would be shocked how much I receive as pension.
‘I had to struggle to pay my rent and my staff. I must admit that right now, I am indebted to the management of the hotel that I am staying. I also owe two of my staff more than three months salary. They have been so loyal and committed to me.’
The case of Dejumo Lewis, like that of Lari Williams and several other older thespians, is a sad reminder of the lack of structure and plans for veterans in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Speaking further, the A Place in the Stars actor added: ‘I must tell you that I have been living on charity and that is why I have not been able to publish my book or run my publishing company. It has been very rough and tough but because of my focus on what I am doing which would be of great benefit to Nigeria, I have been coping until things become better. I must admit that I am broke.’
