Several Nollywood stars have appealed for public financial assistance for popular small-screen actress Aunty Ajara, who is currently battling a severe liver-related illness.
Prominent actors including Wumi Toriola, Mide Martins, Afeez Owo, Ronke Oshodi Oke, and others took to their social media platforms to solicit help after a viral video showed the visibly ill actress pleading for her life from a hospital bed.
In the emotional video, the pregnant actress, who was reportedly placed on oxygen support, was heard saying, “Please help me,” sparking widespread concern across social media.
Following the video, several Nollywood figures began mobilising support, urging the public to donate towards her medical treatment. However, the appeals also triggered backlash from some social media users, who criticised celebrities for frequently turning to the public for assistance for colleagues, despite displaying wealth at social events.
Responding to the criticism, actress Mama No Network addressed the situation in a video shared on her Instagram page, revealing that the industry had already contributed over ₦5 million, but Ajara’s condition continued to deteriorate.
“This is not content. We need financial support from the public and serious prayers. Ajara is in critical condition,” she said.
“It’s not that Ajara has not been working, but she has been using most of her earnings to take care of her mother, who is suffering from a stroke. The painful part is that she’s pregnant, and we have now learned that she’s also battling a liver-related illness.”
Other celebrities who have also joined the appeal include Kemity, Jamiu Azeez, Bimpe Oyebade, and singer Lanre Alewilese, among others.
The situation has sparked renewed conversations about welfare structures in the Nigerian entertainment industry and the lack of sustainable healthcare support systems for actors, as colleagues and fans continue to pray and mobilise resources for the ailing actress.
