A Nigerian comedian and actor, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr. Macaroni, has spoken up about a debt of N500 million he accrued as a result of his financial recklessness.
ENigeria News reports that Mr. Macaroni, as he is famously known, revealed in a post that sometime around 2021/2022 he was a victim of a scam. A development that shook him deeply, but he chose to remain silent about it.
According Mr Macaroni, in a bid to remain stable while he continued his work, he ended up borrowing huge amounts of money. He said it took him long enough to realize he was using the monies he earned to service debts, hence subjecting himself to more pressure.
He wrote:
You all know I never bring my personal issues to social media.
I only wish to share this with my community because I want people to learn from my experience. Also a part of me won’t rest until i publicly thank God for his grace; therefore I feel obliged to do this.
Sometime around 2021/2022 I was victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told NO ONE about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.
Also, my training in Theatre is that the show must go on. As a Thespian, I have a duty to continue to entertain, inform, educate and use my art to make society a better place. So it didn’t matter whatever it was I was going through.
The show must go on!
After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities i have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interests could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realize that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help.
Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.
I’m not perfect. I try to be as honest as possible. I am a financially reckless person. I know it. My family and friends have always said it. And this is way before fame. This is how I have been for as long as I can remember. I would give out my money for lunch to someone who didn’t have breakfast, forgetting that I would go hungry when it’s time for lunch.
If you are like me, please learn to share your breakfast and keep your money for lunch.
( I have always known this but I am a stubborn person
I would give out Breakfast, lunch and if possible dinner)
I have somehow attributed that to a mandate from God. I tell myself all the time that the reason God has blessed me with anything I have is so that I can help people. But I know that even God does not want us to be reckless.
Back to my story, I was now in serious debt.. but it didn’t stop my recklessness.
2024 was a turning point for my Acting career. Two of the films I featured in were screened at international festivals.. my performances in some other films released last year also earned me numerous commendations. However, It was also the most troubling year for me. I was burdened every single day and night knowing that I was over half a billion in debt.
The last straw was when I was betrayed by someone whom I have always loved as a friend and sister.
She betrayed my trust, love and confidence and for that I was completely destabilized. I hardly trust people and nothing really surprises me about the actions of we humans but this one, I could never have prepared for. Such was the level of trust and love.
But you see, one thing about me is that I’m a warrior! I have never backed down from a fight. When I fall, I bounce back even stronger by God’s grace and I keep my head up.
So I gathered myself, and made some very tough decisions and with the help of family and friends who have stood by me, I feel better than I have felt in the last 3 years!
So this letter of love is for my people going through whatever. Please DO NOT GIVE UP!
People will betray you but you must not let that derail you. You are alive for a reason. And every day of your life, you must fight to be a better person than you were yesterday. You must also be accountable, seek help and make better decisions.
It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. What is not okay is to keep repeating the same mistakes.
May the love in our hearts be forever greater than the hate, betrayal and wickedness in the world.
With Love,
Debo.
