Abel Martins Should Mend Fences With Colleagues, Not Declaring Drama Ministry Toxic- KSO
By Oluwafemi Dosu
Veteran Filmmaker, Kolade Segun-Okeowo has reacted to his colleague, Abel Martins claim that the Nigerian Drama Ministry is toxic, stating that it’s better Martins mend fences with Colleagues rather than making false declaration or accusations.
In an interview with Gospel Film News, Kolade Segun-Okeowo popularly known as KSO said Martins is day-dreaming and seeing men like trees. “A very good example of a man running when no one is pursuing him. Very sad. I pray he sees well again. I maintain, our brother is being chased by shadows and his imagination.
“Who is envying him. What is there to envy about being in film productions. If he has personal challenges with some of his colleagues, all he needs to do is to mend fences with them rather than declaring that the drama ministry is toxic.
“I smiled when I read his interview. I then laughed. My first reaction was to reach out to him and caution him as a big brother in the ministry. However, I realised that “Abelo” needs to be prayed for.
He affirmed that there’s nothing toxic about the drama and film ministry or industry as some people call it.
“There is nothing toxic about the drama ministry. While some of us are building great, personal and ministerial friendships across the ministry and nations, all he is seeing is toxicity,” he said.
In a related development, KSO in a separate Statement Issued and signed by him, titled ‘I Disagree!!! The Drama Ministry Is Not Toxic’ said he was completely taken aback by such an unguarded statement from an elderly Man of God.
Segun-Okeowo who’s also a film director revealed that he has worked with Abel Martins for many years and he is a fantastic actor.
“Having worked with “Abelo” _(as we fondly call him)_ on many film locations and stage production, I am proud to say he is one of the finest the drama ministry in Nigeria has ever produced. His interpretation of roles is top notch and unreservedly excellent. However, his recent outburst of toxicity in the drama ministry is absolutely uncalled for.
“By the grace of God, the drama ministry parades one of the best platforms and media for good brotherliness and godly camaraderie.
“As a Drama Minister of 31 years, I boldly and expressly disagree with Abel Martins on his accusation of toxicity in the Drama Ministry. Staying with fellow Drama ministers on film locations and other fora have given some of us the best of emotions and feelings. We have built great friendships, and families across boards.
“I have enjoyed great relationships with virtually all Drama Ministers. Even the ones I have reasons to disagree with are still my friends. Where is the toxicity our brother is talking about? When has divergence of opinions become synonymous with toxicity.
“Naturally, there are bound to be conflicts of interests, mindsets, sentiments and opinions. There’s no problem with that. As humans, we are bound to disagree and see things from different perspectives and points of view. This has nothing to do with accusations of toxicity. Pastor Tunde Bakare once said ‘any gathering where people think alike, see things the same way, talk the same way and reason the same way is a cult…run away.’ I completely agree with him.
“One of the problems with people who accuse others of toxicity is that they are usually the most guilty of the same. This phenomenon is often referred to as: psychological projection: a process of attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to others.
“Another one is the accuser syndrome: An habit of accusing others of the very thing you’re guilty of.
“Common characteristics of those who accuse others of toxicity while being guilty themselves include:
*1.Hypocrisy:* failing to recognize or acknowledge their own toxic behavior.
*2.Deflection:* diverting attention from their own actions to criticize others.
*3.Lack of self-awareness:* unaware of their own emotions, biases, and selfish motivations.
*4.Gaslighting:* manipulating others into doubting their own perceptions or sanity.
*5.Emotional unregulation:* struggling to manage their own emotions, leading to explosive or passive-aggressive behavior.
“I wish to advise my brother and good friend; Abelo to address these challenges of his by encouraging self-reflection and accountability. He also should set clear boundaries and communicate assertively his personal weaknesses and failings.
“He should also focus on constructive dialogues and empathy. He should concentrate on the positive aspects of people knowing full well that no man born of a woman is perfect.
He must recognize the fact that everyone has flaws and biases; including himself,” he stressed.
KSO further wishes him the best, saying someone should tell him that toxicity is a state of the mind.
“The Drama Ministry is not toxic. I am a testimony,” he concluded.
Recall that in a news published on Thursday, Abel Martins was reported to have stated during an interview the reasons he won’t act in gospel film again.