Kola Olaiya Accuses Pete Edochie of Being Too Proud to Honour Industry Leaders

Veteran actor Kola Olaiya has criticised fellow thespian Pete Edochie for failing to acknowledge older theatre practitioners who paved the way in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Speaking in an interview with Oyinmomo TV, Olaiya said Edochie should recognise the contributions of veterans who began their careers long before him.

He said, “I have known him for a long time; that pride is in his blood. That is why he cannot pay homage to the elders that made him.”

Olaiya pointed to the late theatre icon Hubert Ogunde as one of the industry’s earliest pioneers, noting that Ogunde entered theatre in 1944 after leaving the police force and had already made a name for himself with films and hit songs before Edochie was born.

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“Ogunde had been acting before Pete was born. After that, people like Oyin Adejobi, Duro Ladipo, and Kola Ogunmola joined. Where was Pete Edochie then?” he asked.

He argued that while Edochie may be a leading figure in the Southeast, the same doesn’t hold for the whole country.
Olaiya also reflected on his time working with Ogunde, whom he described as a father figure who contributed significantly to his life and career.

He disclosed that he eventually resigned from Ogunde’s theatre group after disputes over car acquisitions for members.

He said he initially thought the vehicles were gifts, but fellow member Baba Sala later told him they were purchased through loans Ogunde facilitated.

He added that although salaries were increased at the time, he later discovered that four naira were being deducted from their earnings.

Despite the circumstances that led to his departure, Olaiya said he remains grateful to Ogunde for the support and opportunities he enjoyed under him.