Veteran comic actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, popularly known for his role as Papa Ajasco, has adopted a new stage identity.
In a viral video Sunday, the actor announced that he had rebranded himself as “Bondu Alaska.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, Nigerians. My name is Bondu Alaska— the one and only. I want to use this medium to thank all Nigerians; they have done a lot for me in my life. I am a new person now. I promise I will not let you down,” he said in the video posted on his Instagram page on Saturday.
ThePreview Media earlier reported that Mr Ayoyinka in a recent interview with media personality Lucky Udu, revealed that the character “Papa Ajasco” was trademarked by Veteran Nigerian filmmaker and producer Wale Adenuga, limiting his opportunities.
Mr Ayoyinka debuted in 1997 as the titular character in the sitcom Papa Ajasco and Company, playing the lead role of father and leader of the Ajasco family.
He portrayed a promiscuous bald husband who often slaps his head with his hands when astonished at an event. This was a significant aspect of his character. He was bald, pot-bellied and had a consistent coat-on-wrapper outfit.
Addressing the controversy, Mr Adenuga dismissed Mr Ayoyinka’s claims as misleading, unfounded and untrue.
He said he had a cordial relationship with Mr Ayoyinka, describing him as a versatile actor who closely resembled the original cartoon character of Papa Ajasco.
He added that Mr Ayoyinka had played the role successfully for many years and remained close to him. Addressing claims of financial hardship, Mr Adenuga said the actor had benefited from several forms of support during his years working on the show.
He said Mr Ayoyinka previously received a car from the production company and had used several vehicles over the years, including a Mercedes-Benz.
READ ALSO: Papa Ajasco: Wale Adenuga speaks on financial, trademark claims
He clarified that the Papa Ajasco character is a registered trademark, explaining why the actor cannot use the identity independently for personal ventures.
However, he stressed that Mr Ayoyinka had not been barred from accepting advertising jobs, provided official approval was obtained from Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP).
Papa Ajasco and Company
In 1997, Wale Adenuga created Papa Ajasco and Company. The show is a spin-off of a feature film of the same title he produced in 1984, based on the comic Ikebe Super.
The story revolves around the Ajasco family and their comedic interpretations of major societal issues. At its peak, Papa Ajasco was not just a TV show but a cultural phenomenon, widely considered Nigeria’s most-watched comic series and viewed weekly in twelve African countries.
