Abiodun Ayoyinka, a face behind the popular character Papa Ajasco, has unveiled his personal brand, Bondu Alaska.
The comic actor was in a controversy after he granted interview where he revealed his suffering after retiring and that acting Papa Ajasco, a brand under Wale Adenuga company, was not really paying off.
Ayoyinka had insinuated that he did not possess car nor house to his name with all the efforts in acting, stressing that he only play the character and well-known as a home brand without corresponding monetary reward.
Reacting, Mr Wale Adenuga said he had never stopped Ayoyinka from pursuing his acting career or taking endorsement, once he is not doing so in the character of Papa Ajasco, which the company will always protect.
Debunking the claims that his production company exploited or abandoned the actor, Wale Adenuga insisted that such claims were inaccurate and misleading, describing the controversy as a wave of “false and misleading” information driven by emotional reactions and a lack of full context.
“My first impression when I watched the Papa Ajasco video now trending on the internet, and local TV channels was: ‘Okay, so this guy has taken Papa Ajasco comedy into the public space!’” Adenuga said.
“It is all well and good. I am happy for him, as his money-making strategy using social media has apparently worked for him.”
“Candidly, I want to address the wave of misinformation, emotional commentary, and uninformed public intervention that has followed his recent media interview,” he said.
“I am doing this not with malice, but in the interest of truth, transparency, and the integrity of a legacy that has entertained millions of Nigerians for decades.
“Abiodun Ayoyinka was a civil servant with the Lagos State Government for over three decades. He was even the face of the state’s cultural troupe, which endeared him to the likes of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his time as governor, as well as his successors.
“He retired not too long ago. In fact, we used to seek permission from his office anytime we needed him on location.
“He bears the closest resemblance to the cartoon version of the Papa Ajasco character, which I created on my dining table in 1976 during my publishing days. He is very close to me, and so far, there has been no irreconcilable difference between us.”
On the allegations of neglect, Adenuga said the company had supported Ayoyinka over the years, including providing him with vehicles at different times.
“On the car issue, we once gave him a car, just as we did for Pa James. He has also used several vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz. To my knowledge, he also owns a house in Ogun State,” he said.
He clarified that restrictions around the use of the “Papa Ajasco” brand were standard practice aimed at protecting intellectual property, adding that actors under the brand are not barred from pursuing other opportunities.
“As he himself stated, all that is required is to seek approval from the company. This is part of brand protection, not a restriction on his livelihood,” Adenuga explained.
Adenuga questioned the basis of Ayoyinka’s financial claims, pointing to the actor’s years in public service and retirement benefits.
“Why is he claiming to be broke? What happened to the proceeds of his 30-year civil service career and his gratuities?” he asked.
However, Ayoyinka has now unveiled his personal brand with the name Bondu Alaska, noting that “I’m a new person now.”
