Trouble In Actors’ Body Ås Saidi Balogun Breaks Away To Form New Group

Although President of the newly formed Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Yemi Solade, has denied rumours of division in the association, there are strong indications things may not be as calm as he says.

In a text message sent to NET, Solade claimed that a new group, The Movie Ambassador, led by actor, Saidi Balogun is a part of the bigger body.

'The Movie Ambassador is a nucleus group in TAMPAN,' he had said, but findings however revealed that few weeks ago in Ikorodu, Lagos State, when the duo of Jide Kosoko and Adebayo Salami, both past presidents of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP) used their veto powers to effect the change of name and set up a National Working Committee for TAMPAN, a few people, including Balogun, were not pleased.

Many say that is the reason for the birth of TMA.

'We knew this was going to happen, we just didn't think it was going to be this soon. Saheed and few people didn't seem to like the way things went. I hope their group makes a head way because TAMPAN had the support of people that mattered in the Yoruba Film Industry,' an insider told NET.

NET gathered that the likes of Foluke Daramola, Yomi Fabiyi, Aishat Abimbola, Laide Bakare and a few others felt the same way Balogun did and joined him to start the new group.

Although efforts made to reach Balogun and Daramola to get their reaction were futile, we gathered that the new association is doing well as officers have been elected and activities have begun.

Source: Thenet