As the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit hard on every facet of normal life with the entertainment and creative industry being one of the worst hit, entertainers are now considering fresh ways to eke a living.
This is the case of ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka D-1st, who launched the bakery arm of his new venture, D-1st Bakery on Sunday August 9, 2020.
Prior to the launch, the 52-year-old compere had announced via his Instagram handle that he was diversifying, citing the financial strain he has had to endure during the lockdown months occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
“As you well know, COVID-19 has adversely affected the 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 registered a company to immortalise her called Adunni Adeyinka Foods. We are into farming, bakery/confectionery, and bottled water,” he wrote.
With Sunday’s launch, Gbenga Adeyinka joins the likes of veteran musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, who unveiled his Innobia Cooperatives Organisation (Innobia Allied Ltd), an agro-allied business project and Ali Baba who open a top-notch restaurant, Ediye, in Lekki.
There are several other actors and actresses in Nollywood who rely more on their culinary, fashion and hospitality-related businesses to survive than on acting in movies/television.
Adeyinka’s bakery was declared open for business by the Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri.
Other personalities who honoured the comedian at the event were House of Representative member, representing Ikorodu, Hon. Jimi Benson; Publisher of TCN and former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture, Hon. Steve Ayorinde; Founder of Team Jandor Foundation, Mr. Jide Adediran; Mr. Abisoye Fagade, Ali Baba and his wife, Omobaba, and a host of others.
