Canadian-Nigerian Movie Star, Pascal Atuma, Turns 50, Urges Youths To Rise And Save Nigeria

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Nigerian-born Canadian actor and producer, Pascal Atuma turned 50 Tuesday, 22 February and marked the milestone age with mixed feelings.

According to the ‘Golden Boy’ who is also the Chairman/CEO, TABIC Records Ltd., while he’s grateful to see the day of his 50th birthday and grateful to Canada and Canadians who found him worthy as the recipient of the ‘2021 Best Black Actor In Canada’, the Ikwuano Umuahia, Abia State-native frowned at the social Ills of tribalism, religion intolerance, bitter politics, and corruption beguiling Nigeria, his country of birth, thus preventing her from attaining its full potential. 

“As grateful as I am, I also have mixed feelings because of the adverse effects of tribalism, religious intolerance, bitter politics, and corruption in Nigeria, my country of birth. We have failed to attain our full potential mainly due to bad choices in choosing some of our past leaders,” Atuma stated in a 50th birthday message posted on his official Instagram handle.  

The versatile entrepreneur then urged the youths to rise and save Nigeria by not voting along the religious, ethnic and tribal line when the general elections come in 2023.

“…If Nigeria can look for the best men and women irrespective of tribe or religion, we will have a chance to rebuild Nigeria from its present ruins caused by years of Ethnic Politics and confusing religion,” he stated.

It would be recalled that Atuma, also a FIFA licensed agent, released his sophomore movie project ‘Clash’ mid-last year to a wider applause.

At the time, the film became a hit and was Netflix’s No 1 movie in Nigeria and topped the charts in Africa.

Shot in Canada and Nigeria, ‘Clash’ enlisted a racially diverse league of actors to unearth a story bordering on the family dynamics of Africans living in the diaspora; the challenges and cultural conflict they grapple with.

Produced by Warren Beaty and Ola George, both Canadian filmmakers, ‘Clash’ featured the likes of Omoni Oboli, Brian Hooks, Merlisa Langellier, Stephanie Linus, Vivian Williams, and Pascal Atuma (who also co-authored the script with George Kalu).

Below is Atuma’s full 50th birthday message:

“I’m very grateful to see today, February 22nd, 2022, my 50th BIRTHDAY!!! Permit me to express my gratitude to Canada and Canadians for finding me worthy to receive the “Best Black Actor in Canada 2021” award. I’m incredibly humbled. Thanks to my agent Warren Beatty, my family, my beloved wife, friends, and fans for their support.

“As grateful as I am, I also have mixed feelings because of the adverse effects of tribalism, religious intolerance, bitter politics, and corruption in Nigeria, my country of birth. We have failed to attain our full potential mainly due to bad choices in choosing some of our past leaders. I encourage all Nigerians not to vote along religious, ethnic, and tribal lines come 2023, and youths must rise and save Nigeria.

“The older adults are almost close to their heavens; the younger generation should say no to crumbs while our leaders bury Nigeria and the future of Nigeria before they depart!!

“Unity is the ability to pull towards a common goal at a given time. Ethnic and tribal divides are common amongst most Countries of the world, but weaponizing Ethnicity is more prevalent in Third World Countries where leaders take advantage of tribal sentiments to appeal to sectional support.

“Evidence abounds that such leaders hardly can mobilize the entire country’s potential for growth and development. Our inability to unite our country has affected our country negatively. Therefore, inefficient governance is a direct result and Correlation of tribalism in Nigeria.

“Tribalism put round pegs in square holes, thereby making it extremely difficult for the best hands and professionals to participate in building a nation.

“Tribalism will raise primordial favors above rewards for good jobs done, creating a downward slope for Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and hence impoverishment is imminent.

“Therefore, if Nigeria must progress, we must eradicate tribalism. Let’s unite the Centrifugal forces of Nigeria beyond ethnic and sectional sentiments in the choice of candidates into public office.

“Development and wealth do not speak the language of Ethnicity; Growth and development speak a universal language. Therefore, if Nigeria can look for the best men and women irrespective of tribe or religion, we will have a chance to rebuild Nigeria from its present ruins caused by years of Ethnic Politics and confusing religion.

“Together, we can build the Nigeria of our dreams. Happy birthday to me“