Kunle Afod has opened up about his longstanding commitment to charity and his deliberate choice to publicise his efforts to support veteran actors.
In a recent interview with Biola Bayo, the 51-year-old actor revealed that while he has assisted struggling colleagues for many years, he initially did so privately.
He said his decision to shift his philanthropy into the public eye was sparked during the celebrations for his 50th birthday.
Afod explained that he was moved by the numerous comments on his social media posts that criticised the industry for only throwing lavish parties while neglecting the aging pioneers who helped build it.
“I have been doing this for a very long time. I remember a time my wife came home and said she met with Aunty Biola today. I remember I went to your house then at Ojodu and how you have been out of the movie scene for a while. And you told me a lot of things you were going through. I said you would still pick it up,” he said.
“That is what I have been doing for a very long time and for a lot of people.
“When I decided to go public was during my 50th birthday, my comment section read: ‘They only know how to do party. They do not take care of the old actors who paved way in the industry’. I said we have been doing it but people have not been seeing in the public space.
“After that I decided I was going to go public with the help rendering.”
He added that the public sentiment motivated him to be more transparent with his aid, a move he said has ultimately benefited more veterans by raising awareness.
“As God would have it, it even helped the elderly ones. That is why I stuck to all the veterans alone. You said our veterans are suffering. So, I am on them now,” he said.
