- Ernest Obi laments over the maltreatment of personal assistants and actors by Nigerian movie producers.
- The movie maker made this known while leading a candlelight procession in honor of his late colleague, Junior Pope, and others who drowned during a movie shoot at Anam river
- He urged his colleagues to ensure their safety first during production to avoid accidents and to learn to be in communication with their Guild (AGN).
Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Ernest Obi, has shed light on the maltreatment faced by personal assistants (PAs) and actors in the film industry.
Speaking during a candlelight procession held at the National Stadium in Lagos to honor his late colleague, Junior Pope and five other crew members who died at Anam river, Ernest Obi expressed concern over the exploitative practices of movie producers.
Ernest Obi, who led the candlelight procession, emphasized the importance of safety during film production. He urged fellow actors to prioritize their well-being and take necessary precautions to avoid accidents.
The veteran actor lamented the ill-treatment of crew members by producers, particularly the underpayment of personal assistants. He revealed that some producers pay their assistants a mere N10,000 for 15 days of work. Such practices, according to Obi, are not only unjust but also morally reprehensible.
Ernest Obi stated that actors should assert their rights and refuse to accept inadequate payment. He encouraged them to say “No” when faced with exploitative offers.
He also urged members of the Guild (AGN) to promptly report hazards to their President or Chairman, waiting until after the fact, he emphasized, is not an option.
In his words:
“Take a stand, say No Sir. If you’re a member of the Guild, make a call immediately. Except your guild or president or Chairman is nonfunctional. Tell him that they want you to enter a forest and there are snakes there as you cannot and the Guild should swing into action immediately and not after.
How much are PAs being paid? How can you employ someone to work for you for 10 or 15 days and you pay them N15k. That’s not just a sin but it’s a sin against God”.