Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has called on filmmakers in Nigeria to stop producing movies that portray Nigerians as clowns and uncivilized when they travel abroad. He expressed concern that such storylines tarnish the image of the country.
Instead, Edochie encouraged filmmakers to focus on stories where Nigerians abroad provide traditional solutions to problems and emerge as leaders in their communities.
Taking to his Instagram page, Edochie 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.”
