Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has penned a heartfelt message on social media, urging for collaboration and support within the Nigerian film industry.
Abraham’s post, shared on [Twitter], reflects on her own career journey and past experiences with competition.
“If you guys knew the fierce competition to be number one in those days in the Yoruba industry,” she began, hinting at a bygone era of intense rivalry.
She described the negative consequences of this competition, including the formation of rival camps, professional gossip, and unnecessary conflict.
“Dear Nollywood people, let me chip this in, stop tearing the industry down with your gossips,” Abraham wrote. “You have caused lots of damage with ‘he-said, she-said.’“
Abraham used her own experience with fellow actress Funke Akindele to illustrate the power of positive competition.
“In those days of the Yoruba film industry, Funke Akindele was like number one,” Abraham recounted. “The competition was much and with many gossips in between, we became competitors and persona non grata.“
However, Abraham highlighted how both actresses eventually moved beyond this competitive phase.
“With time, age, and more wisdom, I have realized we can compete without being negatively competitive,” she stated.
Abraham went on to celebrate Akindele’s recent box office success with her movie “Tribe Of Judah”
“Aunty Funke, I celebrate you for showing us what is possible,” Abraham wrote. “You are a winner. You sold over 1 billion Naira, you made it possible for other women to dream.“
She playfully concluded by acknowledging the competitive spirit but promoting mutual support: “Sis, let’s compliment each other even in competition at the box office, I owe you one post in December (only 1 o, I need to sell market…Lol).“