Nollywood actor Kayode Olasehinde Ajirebi, professionally known as Pa James, has shared his experience working for his boss, Wale Adenuga.
In an interview with Lucky Udu, he described his relationship with the billionaire as cordial, confirming that he still works with the production company whenever he is invited.
He disclosed that the production company has maintained a good reputation for paying, stressing that actors are paid for every engagement, no matter how brief.
Shedding more light on his relationship with Wale Adenuga, he described him as a good boss, noting that working with him gave him greater popularity than when he was in Yoruba movies. He said the billionaire financially supported him, as he bought his first car when he started working with him.
Pa James said that to work with Wale now, one must have a side hustle that pays their bills. He confirmed that he can’t work on any other production under the name Pa James, as it is trademarked.
“I still work with Wale Adenuga. He has been good to me. Working with him gave me more popularity than when I was in Yoruba movies. On the money aspect, he really tried for me. I bought my first car when I started working with him. Before, we used to work back-to-back, but now, once we shoot some episodes, they might not call us again until two years
To work with him now, you must have a side hustle to pay your bills. I can work in other movies, but I must not bear Pa James because the name has been trademarked. When I first started working with Wale Adenuga, I was paid N2,500 per episode. Right now, it is N45,000 per episode, and it’s about 10 episodes a year”.
While speaking about concerns about earnings in the industry, he revealed that at the early stage, he was being paid between N2000 and N2500 per episode, with occasional increases to N4500 and later to N25000. The veteran said the pay is now N45,000 per episode, and there are about 10 episodes a year.
The comic actor also reflected on his time on the comedy series, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and noting that it lasted far longer than he initially expected.
“Anytime they call for work, we dey go. And them no dey owe us money at all. Even if na meeting, after that meeting, he will still pay you.”
When he first told me about Papa Ajasco, I thought na something we go do for maybe two or three weeks,” he recalled. “But the film lasted for a long time.”
The thing wey I get from that work no be small. “From the money wey I make there, I fit buy a car.