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VENO tv: Now,it may be time for the world to discover the man behind Ajan.
Date: 23-06-26

By ComradeOla

Alhaji Adeyemi Sikiru, popularly known as Ajan Abija, is a veteran in Nollywood. His contribution to Opa-Aje, where he acted alongside Abija in television episodes and films broadcast across television stations in South-West Nigeria in 1986, remains notable.

Despite these notable roles and his many years in the industry, it is sad that many of his fans do not know him physically. People only know him for his role as Ajan. He rarely gets calls to feature in movies except when such movies require the activities of Abija. This has negatively affected his career, making it difficult for him to survive, take care of his daily needs, and support his family.

I watched his interview on Agbaletu, and I was deeply touched. It was pathetic to see a veteran who has contributed so much to the Yoruba film industry struggling with the realities of life.

Then, something came into my mind.

For him to come back to the limelight and remain relevant in the film industry, he needs the efforts of Abija because he can not do it entirely on his own. For many years, he has not really been seen as an individual actor in the industry. He has always been placed under Abija as the head spirit in the Power House of Abija.

Therefore, for him to become relevant again, he needs to liberate himself from that role, not by abandoning the character that made him popular, but by gradually expanding beyond it.

How can this be achieved?

I believe he needs to collaborate with Abija and develop a series of carefully scripted skits designed specifically to showcase his talents independently, aside from being the spirit in Abija's Power House.

The skit can initially begin with Ajan playing the familiar character that the public already knows and loves. However, the story can be developed in such a way that clients who normally come to see Abija arrive with serious spiritual problems, only to discover that Abija is not around because of an emergency that cannot be postponed.

At first, the clients may be confused and disappointed. They may even ask, “Where is Abija?” Ajan can then be forced to attend to them because of Abija's absence.

Initially, the clients may underestimate him because they only know him as the spirit who works under Abija. But as the story progresses, Ajan begins to demonstrate his own intelligence, spiritual wisdom, comic ability, acting skills, and unique personality.

What begins as a temporary arrangement can gradually become an opportunity for the audience to discover that Ajan is not merely a character attached to Abija. He is a talented actor with his own identity and abilities.

Abija, who later returns after being away for two or three days, discovers that someone has been attending to his clients during his absence. He is surprised to learn that it was his own Ajan.

He then discovers that Ajan has successfully handled some of the cases brought to the Power House. This can create a very interesting storyline filled with humour, drama, and suspense.

From that point, Abija can begin introducing Ajan to clients who come with difficult spiritual problems. Instead of simply saying, “This is my Ajan,” he can begin to present him as someone who has his own special abilities and can handle certain cases.

The storyline can then gradually evolve into a new phase where Ajan moves from being only the spirit in Abija's Power House to becoming a respected and independent character with his own identity.

This will not only entertain the audience; it will also help to reintroduce Ajan Abija to the public as an individual actor.

The beauty of this idea is that it will not require him to abandon the character that made him famous. Rather, it will use that familiar character as a foundation to build a new identity for him.

The skits can also introduce new storylines, new characters, new clients, and different situations. Ajan can occasionally be sent to handle cases independently. He can also be given his own assignments, thereby allowing the audience to see his personality, intelligence, humour, and acting abilities outside the traditional role they have always known.

With the power of social media today, a well-planned and consistently produced skit series can reach millions of people. Platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram have created opportunities for actors to reconnect directly with their audience without waiting for traditional movie producers to call them.

This can also open the door for other filmmakers to discover his talents beyond the role of Ajan.

Most importantly, I believe Abija has a significant role to play in this process. Ajan Abija became popular through his association with Abija, and that same association can now be used to help him build an independent identity.

Abija can help to create the platform, introduce him to a new audience, and gradually allow him to take centre stage.

The goal should not be to separate Ajan from Abija completely. Rather, the goal should be to make people understand that behind the popular character known as Ajan is a real actor, Alhaji Adeyemi Sikiru, who has talent, experience and many more years of contribution to make to the Yoruba film industry.

Sometimes, a person may become so identified with one character that people forget the human being and the talent behind that character.

This, in my opinion, is what has happened to Ajan Abija.

He has become so strongly associated with the character of Ajan that many people do not even know him beyond that role. However, the same character that made him popular should now become the bridge through which he can introduce the world to the actor behind the character.

This is why I believe a collaborative skit series between Abija and Ajan Abija can be a powerful way to revive his career.

It can be funny. It can be dramatic. It can be entertaining. It can also be a carefully designed career-rebuilding strategy.

Ajan Abija deserves the opportunity to be seen, celebrated, and appreciated not only as Abija's Ajan but also as Alhaji Adeyemi Sikiru—the veteran actor, entertainer and talented individual behind the character.

The Yoruba film industry has produced many talented actors who have contributed immensely to its growth. Some of them only need the right opportunity, the right platform, and the support of those who have walked the journey with them.

Perhaps this is the time for Abija to help Ajan step out of his shadow, not to abandon the past, but to create a new future.

Ajan has served the role of Ajan for many years.

Now, it may be time for the world to discover the man behind Ajan.

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