Mary Njoku maintained that women are the primary orchestrators of the excellence seen in the Nigerian movie industry today
By Mosope Michaels
Nigerian actress and co-founder of ROK TV, Mary Njoku, has shared an ugly experience with a lawyer while seeking accommodation for a relative and expressed shock about the level of bias against women in society.
The thespian expressed the disappointment in a lengthy Instagram post on Saturday, June 11, insisting that the movie industry is arguably dominated by women nowadays.
This is as she narrated how a law firm refused to allow her to stand as a guarantor for a family member, but allowed a male colleague to do so.
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According to Njoku, the lawyer overlooked her and concluded that she has ‘not attained that level of success’ she was abrogating to herself.
She said, “Dear women, women are doing big things too! Few weeks ago, a family member needed a guarantor for her rent and I went to the lawyer’s office to sign.
“I spent over 45 minutes trying to convince her I can afford the rent but she didn’t believe me. She thought I was an actress whose career has refused to blow. She needed proof that I am truly the Founder of ROK or the CEO of the studio.
“I googled my name but she didn’t agree. In her eyes, I can’t be me. I am a small girl. The agent and I begged her to do her small research but refused.
“I told her I will get the CEO of IROKOTV to co-sign but she said I was calling big big names. She insisted on seeing my business card. I had none. Business card that I can write anything on!”
She went on to say, she eventually sought the help of a male actor to stand for her relative as a guarantor, and the contract was signed.
She added, “I had to call a male colleague whose career is ‘stronger’ than mine to help be the guarantor. She was a fan and super happy.
“I was sad for her. She lives in a box; an old one.”
“Today, Nollywood is arguably controlled by women. We sign almost all the cheques! But I guess I am too young and too simple to be ME.
“I had no entourage. I waited at their reception. I was super polite to her. She even asked for the name of my grandfather’s village. I was nice. Yet she insisted on being a fool. Sad.”
Mary Njoku, who is married to businessman and media entrepreneur Jason Njoku, stated that she was disappointed and sad about the development.
She, however, maintained that women are the primary orchestrators of excellence in the Nigerian movie industry, as seen today.
