Emeka Rollas, the former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has apologised to actress Regina Daniels and her mother, Rita Daniels, following comments he made amid the actress’s marital dispute with her estranged husband, Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Rollas spoke on the dispute, saying he witnessed Mr Nwoko raise concerns about Regina’s smoking habit. He said he decided to speak because he was mentioned in the controversy.
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According to him, some of the incidents cited by the senator happened in his presence. He maintained that his decision to speak was motivated by concern for Regina’s wellbeing and was not intended to ridicule or disgrace her.
The former AGN president also expressed disappointment with Okey Bakassi, Charles Inojie, Chinyere Wilfred, Jide Kosoko and Sanni Danji, whom he said were aware of the situation but failed to speak out.
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He stated that their silence left him to face attacks alone after he became involved in the controversy. Mr Rollas also directed criticism at Rita, urging her to pay greater attention to her daughter’s health instead of the AGN elections.
He, however, faulted Mr Nwoko for making the family dispute public and using social media to call out Regina. Mr Rollas also rejected claims that Mr Nwoko had financed the guild, paid for and furnished its office or donated $200 million to the organisation.
Apology
Meanwhile, Mr Rollas issued an apology to the people he mentioned during the crisis, conceding that his approach could have been different. He posted the statement on Instagram on Thursday.
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Looking back at the events, the former AGN president said he had learnt that being correct about a matter was not enough if the situation was not handled properly.
He said: “On 20 November, during a period of intense pressure surrounding the Actors Guild of Nigeria and its leadership, I made a public statement concerning Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, Regina Daniels, Mrs Rita Daniels, members of the AGN Board of Trustees and some of my colleagues. At the time, I believed strongly in the issues I raised and had my reasons for speaking.
“But today, looking back, I must honestly admit: I regret the timing, the platform and the manner in which | handled it. These were people I had related with, worked with and, in some cases, considered friends. More importantly, I made those statements at a time when a family was going through a deeply personal and difficult period. I should not have taken that path.”
“I’m not proud”
Furthermore, Mr Rollas said he could not determine whether those involved would forgive him, stressing that accepting his apology was their choice.
He said he chose to apologise after revisiting the incident and recognising that his conduct at the time was not something he was proud of.
He added that his recent encounter with Rita, which happened while some people were trying to broker peace between them, also encouraged him to rethink his words and apologise for what he had said.
“So today, without excuses or conditions, I sincerely apologise: to Mrs Rita Daniels and the Daniels family. To Senator Prince Ned Nwoko and his family. To Regina Daniels.
“To the AGN Board of Trustees. And to Okey Bakassi, Charles Inojie, Chinyere Wilfred, Jide Kosoko, Sanni Danji, Agility, Nazareth Jesse, my former aides and every colleague whose name I mentioned. I am sorry”, Mr Rollas noted.
He stressed that a good leader must have the courage to speak out while also possessing the humility to admit when they could have approached an issue differently.
“I waited longer, or chose a better path. I may still hold my convictions about some of the issues I raised then, but I take responsibility for my actions and my timing. As I move forward, I choose peace, reconciliation, dignity and respect. I am human. I made a mistake. I have reflected. And today, I say sincerely: I am sorry.”
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