Controversial Nollywood actor and director, Yul Edochie, has cautioned Nollywood movie producers against negative portrayal of Nigerians living abroad, urging them to change their approach.
The actor made this known in a post via his verified Instagram account on Thursday.
According to him, the recurring theme of Nigerians being depicted as foolish and naive when they travel abroad in Nollywood movies is doing more harm than good to the country’s image.
He stated that it is impossible to see any movie produced abroad portraying their citizens living in Africa in a negative light.
The actor emphasized that it is essential for Nigerian producers to showcase the positive aspects of Nigerians living abroad. He continued that Nigerian characters should be portrayed as confident, proud, and dignified individuals who contribute positively to their host countries.
He wrote, “I wish our producers will stop making films where Nigerians travel abroad dey mumu. We sell ourselves short with such storylines. Oyibo people will never make a movie where a white man is foolish on African soil. Instead they’ll make the white man smarter than all the Africans in the movie. It’s intentional. They use movies to sell themselves as superheroes while we use ours to run ourselves down.
“Let’s make movies where a Nigerian goes abroad and becomes the focal point for Oyibo people. He or she always walks with shoulders high, with so much pride and dignity. Always on Nigerian wears. And teaches Oyibo people beautiful things they never knew about us. Offers traditional solutions to problems and becomes a leader over there. Let’s sell ourselves as superheroes as well.” (Tribune)