Veteran Nollywood actor Kayode Olasehinde Ajirebi, popularly known as Pa James, has broken his silence following a viral TikTok video that showed him cooking and eating alone. The clip, which surfaced on Friday, August 15, 2026, quickly spread across social media, prompting an outpouring of concern from fans about his welfare.
In the video, Pa James is seen preparing a meal and eating by himself, a sight that led many viewers to question the whereabouts of his family and children. The reactions ranged from sympathy to outright alarm, with some fans expressing sadness over the perceived loneliness of the veteran actor.
Responding directly in the comment section of his TikTok page, Pa James kept his tone light and unbothered, writing: "no stress o, cooking is My Hobby." His response aimed to reassure fans that he was in good spirits and that cooking is simply a personal pastime.
Why Fans Are Worried About Pa James
The concern stems largely from Pa James's standing as one of Nigeria's beloved veteran entertainers. He rose to national fame through his memorable role in the long-running Wale Adenuga Productions classic, Papa Ajasco, and has remained a recognisable figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
For many Nigerians, seeing an actor of his stature cooking alone triggered deeper questions about how the country treats its veteran entertainers after their prime years in the spotlight. Social media users were divided in their reactions, with some finding nothing wrong with the video while others read it as a sign of neglect.
What Fans Said About Pa James
The comment section of the viral video was flooded with mixed reactions. One user, @ade__femi, wrote: "Wale adenuga you no try," while @dominus_the_inevitable_ reacted: "Omo them reap most of our legends cha .. ???" Another fan, @soniasteels7, asked: "My question is were are his kids."
@tboychrt observed: "But how come women do well than men after retiring in our film industry," and @gbolahan701 shared: "As a man make sure you prepare for your old age …. Don't let family responsibility kill ur plan ….. he's better than some of his age mates."
However, some defended the actor, with @netclothingglobal pushing back: "To cook and eat now hav become a Sin. I see some Asking where are his kids. Some people love cooking as a hubby. And there's nothing bad if he decides to cook his own mean once in a While. Some people do it as fun. Gen z generation." Another user, @o_bezzz, hinted: "Something Dey my mind to talk but nor be my mouth Uner go hear the comment Uner dey find."
Pa James himself appeared unfazed by the attention, standing by cooking as a personal pastime rather than a sign of hardship.
Pa James' Colleague Pleads for Donations
In a related development, Legit.ng previously reported that Pa James' colleague Papa Ajasco humbly requested donations for a new phone. In a new video shared on Sunday, March 15, 2026, via Papa Ajasco and actress Liz Da Silva's Instagram pages, the actor shared his bank details to receive donations.
The video's caption stated that Papa Ajasco needs a phone, as the one used to create his Instagram page belonged to his daughter. This plea for support highlights ongoing concerns about the welfare of veteran actors in Nigeria's entertainment industry, even as Pa James's own response suggests he is managing well.
