Nigerian actor Olayemi Jimoh, popularly known as Yemkem, has recounted how he developed frightening health symptoms after portraying a stroke patient in a movie, saying he feared he could become paralysed.
The Yoruba actor shared his experience during a recent interview on Agbaletu TV, where he recalled falling ill after returning from a movie set in Itoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, about two years ago.
According to Yemkem, he began experiencing unusual symptoms shortly after completing work on the film, including shaking legs, changes in his speech and movement around his mouth.
“What I am talking about is from about two years ago. I went to a movie location and came back. I left Sisi Quadri and Okele at home then. I came back from that location in Itoko, Abeokuta, that night. My words were going out fast, my legs were shaking, and my mouth was moving sideways. The children asked what happened to me. That’s how I got into it,” he said.
The actor explained that the movie was titled Jogodi, in which his character suffered a stroke towards the end of the story.
“I had just shot a movie at that time. The title was ‘Jogodi’. At the end of the movie, my character had a stroke. By the time I got home, I noticed my legs were shaking; people told me not to downplay the situation. They told me it was not ordinary.”
Prompt News reports Yemkem said he was advised to seek medical attention after his condition became noticeable. He recalled that a doctor recommended that he reduce the amount of fat in his body and prescribed medication.
“The doctor asked me to reduce the fat in my body. He wrote some drugs for me. I gave him N450,000. As I was sick, I was still paying house rent. There were specific foods I was to eat,” he said.
The actor said he initially decided not to disclose his health struggles publicly but eventually sought help when his condition became more severe.
He said two people, including a fellow actor, assisted him in finding ways to manage the situation. However, the cost of treatment placed significant financial pressure on him.
“I did not want to make it public then, but I eventually did. There was this brother of mine who was acting that assisted me. That man and another person helped me find a solution. When the situation became tense, I had to sell my car for treatment. I spent all the money I had on it. I was seeking traditional medical help. I still feel pain in my hands and legs,” he said.
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Yemkem also disclosed some of the traditional methods he underwent while searching for relief from his condition.
“I did so many things. I got an incision done by the teeth of a cobra.”
Beyond his health challenges, the actor revealed that he is currently struggling financially and fears he may soon have to leave his home.
Yemkem said the landlord of the property where he currently lives had died, leaving the landlord’s children in control of the property and indicating that the occupants may be asked to vacate.
“I no longer have money. The house I am living in now, the landlord died, and the children are already giving us signals to vacate the house. I still fought with a bike man just now. These things make me cry,” he added.
Yemkem is known for his appearances in Yoruba-language movies and has featured in several Nollywood productions throughout his acting career.
