Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN, has described the purported ban of Yoruba actress, Yewande Adekoya Abiodun by the Yoruba Video Film Producers/Marketers Association of Nigeria, YOVIFPMAN, as “extremely unwarranted and out of their jurisdiction”.
Prince Dele Odule, President, TAMPAN, in a statement released on Monday, said, “No person(s) or association has any right to issue a ban statement on any of our members without due consultation with the national executives of our association (TAMPAN) in which in this case I finds extremely unwarranted and out their jurisdiction.”
YOVIFPMAN, last Thursday had placed a “total ban” on Yewande and another actors, Kunle Afod, for an alleged unscrupulous online activities it claims are inimical to their association.
The movie marketers’ chairman, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Abdullahi, disclosed that it is aware the actors were operating in manners not in line with the association.
“Now all manners of people are taking the advantage of this technology enhance window of distribution to load all manner of films on the internet either censored or uncensored, either legally acquired or not,” the statement read.
It identified Kunle Afod and Yewande Adekoya “as being grossly involved in this act that is capable of destabilizing the industry which we have guarded jealously and sustained over the years with huge investments from various other stakeholders.”
YOVIFPMAN then directed its members nationwide to stop all business dealings with Yewande and Kunle Afod indefinitely at any level in the industry including their associates.
The association also directed its members that the duo should also not be used in posters or promotional materials.
But TAMPAN disagreed with the harsh penalty.
Odule said, “I’ll like to thank all lovers of arts and the practitioners who stood by Yewande Abiodun, an actor and producer under the umbrella of TAMPAN, during the imbroglio between our member and Mr. (Akeem Olatunji) Balogun, CEO, Olasco Films. May I use this medium to state that Yewande Abiodun as a member of our dear association and as a producer is free to produce for any person(s) or any viewing platform that shows interest in her works.”
He added, “Let me state that any future pronouncement on any of our member without due consultation will be met with stiff opposition. I want to thank all stake holders from both association who have tried to wade into the matter before and after the ban statement was issued. TAMPAN remain resolute in uplifting our great industry and the practitioners by way of standardizing our production and improving on distribution channels.
“I’ll hereby enjoin all TAMPAN members to go about your job without any fear but with all sense of dignity until this issue is arrested and rested.”
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Yewande and Balogun, her movie marketer, fell out over movie royalty issue.
The actress had alleged that Balogun, since 2014 has been owing her N2 million as royalties for her films which he has helped market. She said the movie marketer is after her life and that if anything should happen to her, he should be held responsible.
