Popular Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu has finally talked about what really went on during the #SaveMayowa saga.
While being interviewed by Adeuwa Onyenokwe in Channels Television’s “Seriously Speaking” Toyin detailed how she met the family of Mayowa Ahmed and how they planned to disgrace her.
“Someone sent a DM to me, alerting me of a lady’s (Mayowa) situation. She told me that Mayowa was my huge fan and a friend but she had cancer and they needed money to help her. So, i asked for the lady’s number. When i called her up and introduced myself as Toyin Aimakhu, she was all touched that she started crying. I asked where she was, she said she was at home, she was still crying. It was on a Sunday, so i told her, i couldn’t come see her today because i had to go for Seyilaw’s show. So, i promised to go her, the next day. So, she called me again later that she wanted to hear my voice. I was so touched that i was calling her every two hours to find out how she was doing. I asked her to send an email of what was wrong with her; her medical updates and she sent them.
The next morning (Monday), i called her and she said she was at LUTH, so i ran out. When she saw me over there, everything about her changed; she was laughing, cheerful, i was like Oh My God, i felt like a mini-god to her. I told myself, i don’t mind doing this for her, for the rest of my life.”
The next morning (Monday), i called her and she said she was at LUTH, so i ran out. When she saw me over there, everything about her changed; she was laughing, cheerful, i was like Oh My God, i felt like a mini-god to her. I told myself, i don’t mind doing this for her, for the rest of my life.”
When asked how much she raised for Mayowa, Toyin continued: “By Tuesday, her family members told me that we needed N34M and over a hundred thousand dollars. I was pushing and calling a lot of people to come in and help out.
For the scam scandal, she said: “We jump into conclusions a lot. Stories went viral that Toyin Aimakhu and Mayowa’s family wanted to scam the public At a point i had to go back to the hospital, and the family told me that they were taking her out of the hospital and i was like ‘to where’? They said they wanted privacy. I said ” No ooo! How? when you wanted help, you came to the public, now you want privacy’. That was how it got started. I stormed out and they said, they were going to record it and disgrace me. I said OK, its better, lets go. As they brought out their camera, i was ready for them. I removed my wig, so i could look very ugly and told them to go ahead.
Luckily for me, it was that video that vindicated me because they said a lot of things about me; like i was drunk and all that. But in my entire life, i have never taken alcohol.“
When asked how she handled all that negative stories, said: “My PR team, are like my second family. They really helped my brand. If i had carried them along from the beginning, I’m not sure it would have gotten so bad. No regrets because i didn’t expect people to pay me back but God. I raised N85 million and over 100 thousand dollars. But it wasn’t in my account. I am just the voice for the voiceless. I followed my heart but got beaten in the process.“
Recall that Mayowa’s story went viral after she uploaded an Instagram video soliciting for funds from good spirited Nigerians.
Popular actress, Toyin Aimakun was among other notable Nigerians who called for the support of some wealthy Nigerians to make donations for Mayowa’s surgery.
Over N32 million was raised after which an online campaign #savemayowa was launched.
However, a mild drama ensued when popular blogger, Linda Ikeji posted a story saying the #savemayowa fund raising was a scam adding that her family members had absconded with the money.
