'Africans Should Stop Letting Foreign Influences Submerge Their Talents' — Pete Edochie
Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has called on Africans to reclaim their cultural identity, warning that talents are being buried under foreign influences.
Speaking during a recent interview with TV3, where he reflected on the power of authentic African storytelling. Edochie noted that 'Things Fall Apart', the 1958 debut novel by Chinua Achebe, remains the greatest book written on the African continent because it tells the African story.
He argued that if the book had told the story of the white man, it would not have achieved the same level of popularity, adding that while others have made efforts since then, none has matched its impact.
The veteran actor also revealed that he was once called Elvis Presley and John Wayne, admitting that he enjoyed answering those names at the time.
He, however noted that he eventually discarded them and chose a name that was culturally relevant to him, returning to his roots and answering "Uwadiegwu."
He said:
"The reason why 'Things Fall Apart' is the greatest book ever written on the African continent is because it is telling our own story. If it had been telling the story of the White man, it won't be that popular. Many others have made efforts since then but not as strong as 'Things Fall Apart'."
"We Africans permitted our talents to be submerged by overseas influences. I remember once upon a time I was being called Elvis Presley and John Wayne. I actually enjoyed answering those names but at some point I had to discard them and pick a name that's culturally relevant to me. Then I went back to the root and started answering Uwadiegwu."