Suspended Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing recently issued a heartfelt public apology to the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria (TAMPAN) for her past criticism. TAMPAN, the governing body for Yoruba actors and filmmakers in Nigeria, suspended Blessing three years ago following an online dispute with actor Lege Maimi over Baba Ijesha’s alleged child abuse case.
The fallout stemmed from Blessing and fellow actress Iyabo Ojo’s outspoken campaign against Baba Ijesha, which drew criticism from several TAMPAN members, including actors Yomi Fabiyi and Lege Maimi. Amid the controversy, veteran actor Jide Kosoko announced that TAMPAN directors would no longer work with Ojo and Blessing, prompting Blessing to publicly mock the decision.
At the 2024 Celebrities Entertainment Awards in Canada, Blessing apologized to TAMPAN with visible emotion. In a viral video, she said, “I am so sorry for all that I did. I’m begging from the bottom of my heart... I’m being celebrated all over the world because of you. Please, I’m sorry.”
TAMPAN President Mr. Latin accepted her apology, marking a step toward resolution, while actor Odunlade Adekola commended her for the public gesture. Baba Ijesha was sentenced to prison in July 2022 by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Special Offences Court after a year-long trial.
Nkechi Blessing seen begging Mr Latin on stage so that Yoruba movie producers can feature her again...
This was exactly how their market leaders begged @tokunbo_wahab to reopen @followlasg markets when they messed the whole place up...
We can decide to live with pests until we… pic.twitter.com/tSKpWhZmJt— BayoObidient (@BayoObidient) October 27, 2024
