Nigerian filmmaker and actress, Adunni Ade has said it’s draining when people ask her to speak Yoruba.
She made this statement while appearing on a recent broadcast of Morning Brief on Channels Television.
The actress, who was raised by a Yoruba father from Nigeria and a German-American mother, stated that she preferred English since it is the official language of Nigeria and that all other languages should be ignored.
Adunni Ade said in part in a now viral clip
“Speaking Yoruba is draining, sometimes it irks my nerves. The first language that we know in Nigeria is English. Let’s put all the other languages aside.”
“some are even rude with it. I really know what it is. I don’t see how that will make them feel better. Maybe they just want to hear me speak Yoruba,”
She, however, appreciated that her father brought her to Nigeria to learn the Nigerian culture, language, and everything Nigerian.
The actress’ words were however misinterpreted by a blogger who reported that Adunni said speaking Yoruba is draining and “hurts her nerves.”
Clearing the air on her Instagram page on Wednesday, March 6, Adunni Ade reposted the video on her Instagram writing:
“These are the issues. This is one major reason why I avoid interviews. Everything I say is always twisted and interpreted negatively. The full interview is on @channelstelevision YouTube channel.
“A few minutes of your time to watch would have cleared this. @omalians_crib is this what you got from the video you posted? Why change the narrative? Why cut the clip to favor your page? I never said speaking Yoruba erks my nerves.
“I said people asking me randomly (most times rudely) erks my nerves. If you’ve ever come in contact with me and do speak Yoruba, you can attest to it that I’d rather communicate with you in Yoruba but when in a certain gathering, I prefer to stay professional and speak in the the country’s first language. One thing I have always avoided saying publicly is the fact that a lot of y’all h@te me for no reason.
“A lot of yall have an issue with my existence good or bad. Please note, I am not dragging position, title, culture, nationality or language with anyone. I’m just living my life trying to be the best being and mother to my children. @channelstelevision what I told yall I was avoiding still happened. Please watch full interview on their YouTube channel. It’s always love from this end.”
