Nollywood actor Jide Awobona has posted a brief message on X, saying “June be kind,” following days of public criticism over his comments on insecurity in Nigeria.
Awobona shared the message on X on Sunday, June 1, 2026. The post comes shortly after he faced backlash for a video he published and later deleted, in which he spoke about insecurity in the country and its impact on him personally.
In earlier statements shared on his Instagram page on May 31, 2026, the actor said he removed the video because he was emotionally overwhelmed. He explained that the reactions he received online were intense and deeply affected him.
He said, “Behind many smiles are pains you may never see. That is why we must be careful not to judge a book by its cover.”
Awobona added that he has spoken about insecurity on several occasions, including past incidents involving kidnappings in Oyo State. He also disclosed that he had been a victim of robbery in the past, which, according to him, shaped his response to discussions about national security.
According to him, he received more than one million comments across his social media platforms after the video was posted. He said many of the responses were angry, while others were supportive.
He stated, “This is not the time to attack fellow Nigerians. This is not the time to tell others how they should react to tragedy, loss, fear, or frustration.”
Awobona also referenced the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, saying the event still affects him. “A lot of us have forgotten about the Chibok girls; I haven’t; I’m still traumatized, trying to distract myself with work and other activities to be sane at least,” he said.
He noted that public figures are often expected to behave differently during national crises, but said they also experience fear, grief, and emotional strain.
Awobona is a Nigerian actor, scriptwriter, and filmmaker born on February 9, 1985, in Lagos State. He hails from Ogun State and studied at Olabisi Onabanjo University. He began his acting career in 2002 and gained early experience in the TV drama Super Story in 2003.
He became widely known for his role as “Sam” in the sitcom Jenifa’s Diary (2013). Over the years, he has featured in several films and television productions.
His selected filmography includes The Bunglers (2017), The Event (2017), Ranti Mi (2018), Convicted (2019), Olopa Olorun (2019), Clock (2019), Alimi (2021), where he played Samuel, Akaba (2021), The Cokers (2021) as Bayo, Olokun (2021), Olawura (2022), alongside Tierny Olalere, and Lisabi: The Uprising (2024), where he played Osobande.
He was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Yoruba) at the 2020 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards.
