‘COVID-19 has affected us’ — Gbenga Adeyinka diversifies from comedy, opens bakery

Gbenga Adeyinka, a Nigerian comedian, has founded a new company involved in farming, baking, and bottled water production as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit the showbiz industry.

The 52-year-old, who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, broke the news in a statement via his Instagram on Tuesday, citing the financial strain he has had to grapple with amid the pandemic.

“As you well know, COVID-19 has adversely affected an Industry where I am an active player. In the desire to open new vistas, I am embarking on a new entrepreneurial journey,” he wrote.

“In honour of my mum who I lost 10 years ago, I registered a company to immortalise her called Adunni Adeyinka Foods. We are into farming, bakery/Confectionery, and bottled water.

“We will be opening the Bakery arm of the business on Sunday, August 9th at 12 noon and I will be delighted if you kindly have me in your prayers.

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As you well know, Covid-19 has adversely affected an Industry where I am an active player. In the desire to open new vistas, I am embarking on a new entrepreneurial journey. In honour of my mum who I lost 10 years ago, I have registered a company to immortalise her called *Adunni Adeyinka Foods.* We are into Farming, Bakery/Confectionary and Bottled Water Production. We will be opening the Bakery arm of the business on Sunday, August 9th at 12 noon and I will be delighted if you kindly have me in your prayers and follow @1st.bakery

A post shared by Gbenga Adeyinka (@gbengaadeyinka1stgcon) on Aug 4, 2020 at 8:41am PDT

Adeyinka, who is dubbed the first Nigerian to publish comedy magazine, had worked as a corporate affairs manager in an engineering firm but broke out with his promo for the ‘Star Game Show’.

He has also anchored Television programmes for AIT, Galaxy TV, MBI, and Africa Magic on DSTV.

The comedian’s move comes after Innocent Idiabia, a singer better known as Tuface, had unveiled the Innobia Cooperatives Organisation (Innobia Allied Ltd), his agro-allied business project.

Gloria Young, an actress, had earlier warned that entertainers in Nigeria could go hungry if they don’t find alternative ways to make ends meet as the country fights the economic impact of COVID-19.

“The pandemic has affected all forms of the economy, including the entertainment sector which is one of the greatest employers of labour that had been greatly affected,” she had said.

“Though all productions of films and radio had been put on hold, however, we still hold internet meetings to plan the way forward for sustenance.

“When the pandemic is over, our lives won’t be the same again. We hope to use the internet more in subsequent productions, following the current experiences we’re passing through.”