By Ayo Onikoyi

Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has been under fire since it donated a paltry N5,000 to ailing actor, Dayo Akinpelu, a.k.a  Alabi Yellow  who needs millions for treatment of stroke, especially in view of the Association being able to raise staggering N700,000 to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The cat was let out of the bag when the daughter of the stroke-struck  veteran actor gave account of the amount they have received from the public, particularly, the creative industry, after having sent out an SOS to save the life of the actor.

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According to the daughter who spoke to an online platform, the Source, her father got N5,000 from TAMPAN, the umbrella body for Yoruba actors, while two other veteran actors; namely, Jide Kosoko and Adewale Elesho gave out N10, 000 each, making the money they have received so far N25,000 as at press time.

On hearing the amount the association donated to the actor who now stays in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in a one-room apartment with his aged mother, many notable figures in the industry, expressed shock and disbelief, considering that not so long ago the members were able to raise N700,000  to support President Buhari’s campaign.

A notable producer, whose name Potpourri will protect for personal reasons was so aghast, he could not keep the venom out of his fury.

“Let’s call a spade a spade and not an agricultural implement. Where on earth did they get N700k to donate to a Presidential campaign and yet can’t donate a quarter of that  to treat an ailing member? Is it from dues they got the money they donated to Buhari? And what is the relevance of donating to the campaign?” he said.

“It is a joke that the members of the body could only come up with N5,000.  When I heard of the amount I thought it was a mistake, like the “M” being replaced by the “K”. And yet they were able to raise 700k for Buharti’s campaign who didn’t need their money,” another actor who spoke under anonymity observed.

All efforts to get the President of the association, Mr Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin to speak on the development proved abortive as both his MTN and Glo lines were switched off.