The Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria has revealed the reason for its silence on the ongoing sexual assault trial of actor, Olarenwaju Omiyinka, fondly referred to as Baba Ijesha.
This is coming after the association suspended actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday and colleague, Adams Kehinde, for trading ugly words on social media over Baba Ijesha’s child molestation issue.
The association, during a press briefing in Lagos on Saturday, said it would not entertain any form of disrespect by any one who tried to drag the association in the mud.
Members of the Board of Trustees of the association are Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello) and Ebun Oloyede, (Olaiya Igwe).
Kosoko, while reading out the association’s statement, noted that it will not take further insults from anyone.
TAMPAN also stressed that the views expressed by a veteran actor, Adedeji Aderemi, aka Olofa Ina, over Baba Ijesha’s sexual assault case was not the position of the association.
While speaking at Baba Ijesha’s court appearance some days ago, Olofa Ina had said: “I am in court because they said somebody slept with someone.
“This is a normal thing in our industry.
“If this person has done something wrong, they should reprimand him rather than (lay) false accusations.”
Reacting to the development, Kosoko said: “When we were building the Industry, we never thought a time like this will come when those we trained will jettison the culture of respect.
“Our sector in the Nigeria motion picture industry is built on the Yoruba culture of respect and reverence for those ahead of you and that has to be strictly adhered to because that’s who we are.
“It is our desire that everyone continues to pursue their respective programmes without necessarily blackmailing others, as we pray that we will not get into a situation where we are forced to take to Legal means to defend our integrity.
“And for those who have said or thinking of saying to hell with the Yoruba sector of the Nigeria motion picture industry, please kindly take note that the entire Nollywood is one, even as some of us here are active players across board.
“An offence against one is an offence against others as we will get other associations involved in tackling any further infringement on our rules and shared values.
“None of these infringements will never go without repercussions.”
The association also addressed the on going issue of Baba Ijesha, noting that the association purposely stayed away from making comments on the said allegations for rule of law to take its course.
Kosoko said: “We, as an association, have stayed away from making comments on the Lanre Omiyinka (Baba Ijesha) saga because we believe in the rule of law, due process and the ability of the courts of the land to do justice in such a way that it will be deemed to have been done without necessarily been swayed by emotions or influenced by sympathies
“The views expressed by one of us, Olofa Ina, is in no way representative of the opinion or position of the Association, as he spoke in his personal capacity and not on behalf of TAMPAN.
“We, however, understand that tempers are bound to rise under certain circumstances, especially with the way he alleged Iyabo Ojo spoke to him on the phone.
“The Association does not condone immorality, neither is it the standard in our industry.
“If two consenting adults decide to have things in common, it does not mean that it is the standard practice for the Association or our industry.
“There is nowhere it is stated as a rule or practice that a female actor must have sex with their male counterparts or seniors before she can grow in the industry.
“Those holding such opinions or notions are certainly doing that in error.
“The most important ingredients for growth are talent, proper training, and the ability to stay focused on what you want to achieve.”
The Association added that it had become necessary to state the above due to current insinuations flying about town.
“We are not immoral neither do we condone or promote such,” it said.
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