A fresh debate over seniority in Nigeria’s movie industry has emerged between veterans Lere Paimo and Pete Edochie.
Paimo has disputed Edochie’s claim about how long he has been involved in acting.
The 86-year-old Yoruba actor said his acting journey started in 1958, four years before Edochie’s stated start.
Edochie recently said his acting career dates back to 1962, when he was 15 years old.
The claim prompted Paimo to share his own account during an interview with Kunle Afod.
Paimo said, “I started acting in 1958, and it was in 1962 that Pete Edochie started acting. I met Hubert Ogunde, who was senior to me and others, and there were big movies produced back then.”
He also discussed the early history of Yoruba theatre and its place in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
According to Paimo, Hubert Ogunde was the earliest actor he personally knew from that period.
He said, “I heard from history that
when he (Hubert Ogunde) started in the ’40s, there was nobody before him… We never heard or read that in any history books or documentation, I believe the Yoruba industry started first,”he said.
Paimo further recalled that English-language movie production was not common during Ogunde’s early years.
He said Yoruba productions helped educate audiences while building the theatre tradition.
When asked if Baba Olumegbon started before Ogunde, Paimo said he could not confirm it.
“I don’t know if Baba Olumegbon started before Ogunde, but all I know is that Ogunde was the person I knew who started acting first.”
Paimo started with Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group before joining Duro Ladipo’s Theatre Group.
He became known for playing Chief Basa in Obamoro.
