24/06/2025
Must Readđ
He was once one of the face in the entertainment industry but today he needs help.
In the early 1990s, Yemi Ayebo emerged from obscĂšrity to capture national attention with his self-produced romantic fantasy Yemi My Lover. He not only wrote and starred in the film but also financed it from a modest homegrown budget of around âŚ50,000ââŚ60,000âa labour of passion that solidified his place in Yoruba cinemaâs panthe0n. The film resonated deeply, tapping into f0lklore with a storyline centred on a man in love with a mystĂŹcal water-spĂŹritâearning cĂšlt status and a title that would define his career.
From Brèakthrough to BĂ cklashđ
Though the filmâs popularity s0ared, the financial returns did not. With no effective antĂŹ-pirĂ cy enf0rcement and limited promotional infrĂ structure during the analogue era, Yemi faced a dèvastating reality: up to 90% of the filmâs earnings were siph0ned off by piratès, while he barely made enough to recoup his expenses. His attempt to oversee distribution himself sparked bĂ cklash from movie marketers, who retaliated by flooding the market with unĂ uthorised screenings and DVD boots.
Despite the initial success, Yemi never saw profit. He revealed that, from what little he earned, he managed to buy a camera, rent basic office space, hire a small crew, and acquire a carâbut he still rents his home and lĂ cks long-term fĂŹnancial sècurity.
Enduring HĂ rdship and Bètrayalđ
Yemiâs tr0ubles went beyond pĂŹracy. In 1996, he was fĂ lsely accĂšsed and bèaten by milĂŹtary personnel in his Lagos office, allegedly nearly executed based on misinf0rmation, and f0rced to pay nearly âŚ500,000 to extricĂ te himselfâan incidènt he still categorises as a career setback. These cumulĂ tive blows chipped away at his m0rale and bank account, even as Yemi continued producing more filmsâover 17 in totalâbut each was similarly pĂŹrated, deepening his dèbt and depleting his resolve.
Silent in the Silence of Successđ
Despite creating a cultural touchstone whose influence extends to modern artistesârapper Olamide even honoured him with a track titled âYemi LoverââYemi was never publicly acknowledged by the singer according to him, nor did gospel star Tope Alabi, his former protĂŠgĂŠ, respond to him when he reached out He noted that after the feature song dropped, he received no call, no message, no acknowledgmentâa disillusi0nment that compounded his sense of is0lation .
Now: A Dèsperate Plea for Supportđ
Yemiâs current circumstances have led to a public çry for help: âIâm br0ke right now⌠I need more connections to get back on my feetâ.
He is frĂ nk about his statusâowning little more than a car, some camera gear and a rented officeâwith no home or savings. In interviews, he describes himself as âbr0ke,â victims of a system that favours connections over creativity.
This past May, Yemiâs impassi0ned on-screen plea went viral, prompting public sympĂ thy and a chorus of online support. Fans offered practical suggestionsâlike starting a Y0uTube channelâand rĂ llied for prominent figures to aĂŹd him .
A Pioneer Forgotten â And Why It Mattersđ
Yemi My Loverâs story reveals the dark underbelly of cultural innovation in Nigeria: that creators who shape genres and ignite imagination are too often forgotten, financially aband0ned and excluded from the rewards of their own labour. His journey poses a stark question: what becomes of those who build industries, only to be consumed by them?
His tale underscores urgent needs withinđ Nollywood and beyond:
Effective antÏ-pirà cy legislation and enf0rcement, with heavier penalties for infringèrs
SustainĂ ble models of creator support, including royalties, c0pyright protections and revenue-sharing agreements.
A cultural shift toward honouring and investing in forebeĂ rs, not just succeeding entertainers.
Where Next for Yemi?đ
At 60 or so, Yemi is not asking for pĂŹty, but for recognition and a lifeline. He envisions a return to filmmaking, but limited by resources, access and opportunity. His legacy still draws admirationâas one fan tweeted: âI donât mind to support in my own little way; he made love easy for me as a kidâŚâ
In the past, Yemi My Lover transformed hearts. Today, in his moment of need, itâs time the industry, his peers and his fans lend their hearts and hands.
Šď¸Olumajesty toye
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