Nollywood actor and filmmaker Jide Awobona has spoken passionately about protecting his family’s privacy and the heavy expectations placed on public figures, while addressing the online criticism he faced after attending the Ojude Oba festival.
In a candid segment of the Conversations With Kenni podcast hosted by Kehinde Ajose, Awobona pushed back against claims that he hides his family completely.
“Well, that’s not true. I actually show off my family, but not all the time,” he said.
He explained the reasoning behind his decision:
“I feel like I’m in the limelight already. I’m a public figure. They need their privacy to live. I can’t be out there not having my freedom and I’m dragging every other member of my family into it as well. I don’t believe in bringing family members into your public life except they’re in the business as well.”
The star, known for roles in Jenifa’s Diary and his recent hit Inspector Jero, emphasized that he still lives a grounded life despite his fame.
“I’m still on the street 24/7 working. If you see me doing a job, please allow me. I’m human like you. I walk to the gym everyday even though it’s not always convenient because of people stopping me on the way. I just want to be me and live. There’s a lot of things this career has taken from me. Please don’t have too much expectations for me.”
Awobona shared a striking example of everyday pressure during the recent fuel price hike. He recalled an attendant still demanding a tip and how he confronted the situation by asking the person to put themselves in his shoes. He stressed that fans often place unrealistic demands on celebrities while continuing their own normal routines.
“I can remember when the fuel hike happened and the attendant still had the guts to ask me for a tip. I told the attendant how wicked that was. Put yourself in my shoes. The fans expect too much from celebrities.”
The conversation turned to the backlash he received after attending Ojude Oba. Fans dragged him online over the Oriire kidnapping incident in Oyo State. Awobona explained that the event had been planned for over a year and that critics did not pause their own lives yet expected celebrities to forfeit theirs.
“The people that attacked us online didn’t pause their own lives. They still went to work, still attended family functions and events, but want to take our own entitlement to the same things they enjoy. We speak when we have to.”
He revealed that he had recorded an emotional video expressing his feelings before the festival but later took it down because it did not look right. Awobona also reminded listeners of his long-standing concern for national issues, including the Chibok girls, noting that many have forgotten while he continues to be bothered about it.
“We all have to live. We can’t sit idly by and wait for death. Nobody’s more Nigerian than the other person. If anything should happen in the country today, it’s going to affect everybody.”