Nollywood star Ibrahim Chatta has opened up about the heartbreaking loss of his first child, who passed away in a Lagos hospital due to his inability to afford medical treatment.
In a video conversation with crew members on a movie set, Chatta revealed that all efforts to raise funds while the child was admitted to a hospital in the Iddo area of Lagos State were unsuccessful.
Reflecting on the tragic incident, the actor revealed that his late child was buried in a wooden Coca-Cola crate.
The video was shared on YouTube by Abiola Orisile Events & Parties.
He said, “Malik is not my firstborn. My first child is a baby girl. I lost her because I couldn’t pay hospital bills.
“She was taken to the hospital in the Iddo area of Lagos State. I trekked from Ijora Badia to Makoko, and I couldn’t get any money until she died. My first child was buried in the old wooden crate of Coke.”
Famous9ja recall that Ibrahim Chatta, has downplayed the notion that he is underrated in the movie industry
Speaking in a recent episode of the ‘Talk To B’ podcast, the Nupe-born actor clarified that he isn’t underrated, stressing that he’s among the highest-paid Yoruba-speaking actors in the country.
“A lot of time some people say Ibrahim Chatta is underrated. No I’m not. I’m one of the highest-paid Yoruba-speaking actors in Nigeria,” he said.
Chatta said before gaining stardom, he was a “studio rat” and did promotional jingles and movie soundtracks.
“I gave myself responsibility because I discovered it would make me stronger.
“At a point, I told my mum that I was comfortable and that she shouldn’t bother sending me foodstuffs.
“But I wasn’t comfortable. So, I would work for about a week or two as a bus conductor and I would get somebody.
“Then I got lucky and I started writing and composing movie soundtracks. I did movie soundtracks for over 400 films, I did promotional jingles for over 400 firms.
“Then I wasn’t known as an actor. I had studios in Ikeja and other places. At a point, I was a studio rat. I would go to the studio, write songs, sing and perform,” he recalled