Proverb problem meant to protect Yoruba language — Kunle Afod

A popular actor and movie director, Kunle Afod, has said that the concept of his Yoruba proverb challenge where he goes about meeting veteran thespians to state different proverbs and give their meanings is a way of preserving the language and letting young people know more about it.

He told Sunday Scoop, “I am trying to make it a wider concept and when I do, I will seek sponsors who can support the movement. I want to use that as an opportunity to remind the younger generation of their roots and language, because they seem to be drifting away with time. We should be able to teach our children and make it fun to watch. So, I decided to visit some veterans who can share some proverbs and while doing that, one also needs to give back to them.”

Giving reasons many of the veterans haven’t been active on the big screens like before, the actor said, “Most of the fault is not from the actors or producers, but from the audience. We are doing business and want to make profit. When a movie features more of the older generation, it might not do as well as those with younger actors in them. However, I feel we should give the older generation more opportunities.

“But, on another hand, how many of the young actors did the older generation invest in, especially when they were in their prime? Some of them wait for people to call them for jobs, but they did not call younger ones for jobs. Some felt talent was all they needed but at a point, diminishing returns sets in, and when that happens, what can be done to get it back? We have the likes of Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), and Jide Kosoko who invested in their children and others. They also need to invest in others rather than just waiting to be called. Not every person that one invests in will come back to say ‘thank you’, but some will.”

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