By By Daniel Nsa
SINCE yesterday, I’ve been reading so many posts comparing and debating who is a bigger and better actor between Zubby Michael and Timini Egbuson, and truth be told, some perspectives are quite amusing.
First, I’d like to address the classism mentality prevalent regarding movies produced in Asaba. There’s no validity to the notion of “Asabawood,” a term I refrain from using as it implies marginalizing actors involved in Asaba-produced films. Nollywood encompasses all aspects of Nigerian cinema, and there’s no justifiable reason for discrimination. The apparent bias against Asaba-based actors and productions, particularly evident at events like the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), seems orchestrated by a selected group within the industry. However, this bias does not negate the talent present in that segment of the movie industry. Tell me why someone like Tobi Bakre would win an AMVCA award for best actor over Yul Edochie.
These Asabawood talks are just like hearing media students say they’d rather choose Channel TV, TVC, and others over NTA, forgetting where it all started and also overlooking the foundational contributions of each. During the era of Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, and their contemporaries, such divisions were less pronounced, I don’t know why it’s coming up now.
Now back to the debate trending on the Nigerian side of the internet. You should know this debate spurned from a reality show where both Timini and Zubby Michael are starring as the main cast, and this show has Ebuka as the host, by now, you should be familiar with Ebuka’s game. The man is good at instigation, and that’s what we’ve been seeing him do as the host of Big Brother Naija, and that’s what he did between Zubby and Timini, and I’ll say all these are happening in Timini’s favour. I’ve never seen Timini as a good actor right from his Tinsel days. I just believe he is one of those people blessed with good looks and aware of it. Another thing is the fact that he speaks well too. I remember telling my Granny once that this guy shouldn’t be acting; he could have had a great career as a model because when it comes to acting, that guy is mid, and truth be told, it’s because of this fine boy privilege that some of you are putting Zubby Michael in the same conversation with Timini, a comparison that is even dead on arrival.
It’s even funny that some of you are making up criteria for judgment and using it as a yardstick for who is the better actor between the two of them. Someone even went as far as saying Zubby is classless. Zubby is natural, and the roles he features in are those roles he has acted in over the years and has lived in character for so long to be known for it. It’s just like telling me to host sports shows on the radio. Not that I’ll do badly, but my niche is entertainment: pop culture and music.
The only movie I’ve seen Timini feature in, and he didn’t do badly, was A Tribe Called Judah, and for the rest, I won’t even waste my time watching if he’s playing a different role from the lover boy role he is known for, the same way y’all know Zubby for razz roles. Zubby wasn’t the one that started the bigger actor talk on the show; it was Timini because at that point, he knew he could help him get the buzz, and I’m happy with what Zubby told him: he could buy him, which is no cap. Zubby is ten times better and bigger than Timini. Don’t let the fine boy and posh English confuse you. Zubby is the most popular actor in Africa. I have friends in South Africa who love and know Zubby, but can you say that about fine boy Timini? Zubby is more versatile; I’ve seen him act in different roles, but what do we know fine boy Timini for? That’s why most of you were shocked to see him kill the role he was given in A Tribe called Judah. Zubby’s significant following, extensive filmography, and multifaceted career, encompassing production and direction, overshadow Timini’s accomplishments. Even if we were to evaluate based on range alone, Zubby surpasses Timini, evident in his ability to convincingly portray various characters.
Zubby is the one giving the so-called Lady’s favourite Timini all the buzz right now. Watch his followers go up after the show. Zubby beats Timini in everything, and that’s something I want y’all to come to terms with. Put some respect on Zubby’s name. Do you think it’s easy to climb from the Asabawood y’all sideline to become the most followed Nigerian male actor? If Timini thinks it’s easy, he should go and act in Asabawood, and let’s see what becomes of his career.
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