Papa Ajasco
The response appears to be a strategic reaction to the legal limitations surrounding his former role.
Veteran actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, widely known for his decades-long portrayal of the iconic character Papa Ajasco, has announced a rebranding of his public identity.
In a video posted on his Instagram page on Saturday, the actor formally introduced his new stage name, Bondu Alaska.
This move follows his recent claims of being broke and a public exchange between the actor and the founder of Wale Adenuga Productions, Wale Adenuga, over restrictions on the use of the “Papa Ajasco” brand.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning Nigerians. My name is Bondu Alaska. The one and only Bondu Alaska,” the veteran entertainer declared in the viral clip on Saturday.
Expressing deep gratitude for the support he received following his recent viral interview, he added, “I want to use this medium to thank Nigerians because they have done a lot in my life. I’m a new person now, and I promise that I will not let you down”.
Further solidifying this new chapter, the actor has changed his Instagram handle to @bondualaska_ and encouraged fans and brands to connect with him under this new persona.
Despite the actor’s efforts to move on, many fans expressed difficulty in letting go of the nostalgic “Papa Ajasco” brand.
Reacting to the post, a user, hhenriey, wrote, “You are Papa Ajasco, not Bondu Alaska. We’ll help you spread it to the world.”
Another fan, official_igbalodedjpizzle, joked, “Na Papa Ajasco. Nothing wey you wan tell him cuz NEPA na still NEPA.”
The rebranding appears to be a strategic response to the legal limitations surrounding his former role.
Wale Adenuga described Ayoyinka’s claims of being “broke” as “misleading” and “untrue,” stating that the actor had benefited from various incentives over the years, including multiple vehicles
Adenuga clarified that while the “Papa Ajasco” brand must be protected from “inappropriate usage,” the actors were never barred from taking on independent jobs outside the show.
