As elders in the Yoruba movie industry continue to find resolution to the bitter war between their colleagues, Liz Anjorin and Toyin Abraham, another female actress and producer, Fathia Williams, has given reasons she has not been able to intervene.
The likes of Baba Latin, Yinka Quadri, Antar Laniyan and Iya Rainbow – as well as Ronke Osodi Oke – have made separate efforts but Williams said she could not really do so because she did not know the genesis of the fight.
Liz and Toyin burst into the social media strife last week after the first claimed that a particular fellow was involved in a story that referred to her allegedly being questioned on drug-related issues when she went on Hajj.
Reacting to the war that has embarrassed many in the industry, Williams, formerly known as Fathia Balogun, said: “I don’t really know much about the issue, but Iya Rainbow and I have tried reaching out to Liz Anjorin to discuss the issue.
“Iya Rainbow called Liz Anjorin, but she said she would get back to her (Iya Rainbow) to discuss the matter. I don’t really want to get involved because I don’t know what caused their grievances.”
According to ‘Saturday Beats’, another actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso, also has an issue with intervention because, according to him, the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, headed by Latin, could only directly act when its members are involved in an issue.
“The president of my association, Otunba Bolaji Amusan, has spoken through video chat and I stand by what he said. Not all actors in the South-West are members of TAMPAN, so it’s very wrong to assume that our executives must wade into all actors’ feud, particularly when the issue has become public.
“If any actor has issues with a colleague and doesn’t deem it fit to consult their association’s executives but prefer to submit him or herself to public humiliation through improper acts, then such actor’s association needs to deal decisively with that member.
“At TAMPAN, we know our members and in due course, all names will be posted on our website, which will be accessible to the public. Any known actor whose name is not on our website is not a TAMPAN member. So, if such actor is found wanting in any regard, the general public should not tag us,” he was quoted as saying.
