TheCable

Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Nollywood actress and entrepreneur who is known for her roles in Yoruba movies, decided to defend her roots on Sunday.

The 37-year-old actress took to her Instagram page to protest her exclusion from THISDAY Style magazine’s list of ‘Nollywood’s Best Dressed’ celebrities to the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).

The cover picture featured the likes of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and O.C. Ukeje, who did not attend the event.

Mercy said she chose not to ignore the issue because that was not the first time such will happen.

“Hey Fam….so I just came back from church and decided to check IG only for me to see plenty tags on a particular pix,” she wrote.

“I read people’s comments asking why Mercy isn’t on the cover and at first I wanted to waka pass, but on a second thought, I decided to talk about it, because it’s been an issue that has lingered for too long!

“I thought to myself why didn’t Mercy make the cover of @thisdaystyle best dressed list? Has @thisdaystyle ever featured a Yoruba actor on their cover? Are Yoruba movies not part of Nollywood? Is Nollywood not supposed to mean home grown Nigerian movies?

“Hmmmmm I am very sure they didn’t because they won’t want to STAIN their cover with a ‘RAZZ’ ‘LOCAL’ Yoruba actor! Yes, I am razz, Yes I am local and Yes I am a Yoruba actor!

“No I refuse to speak your almighty English with fake British or American accent because I’ll always remain true to myself! I am ME. Proud Benin Woman, Proud Ijesha’s wife and above all proud Nigerian. …And just in case e still dey be una like dream ‘LOCAL TI TAKE OVER‘”.

The Edo-born actress graduated from University of Lagos in 2001 and joined the Nigerian movie industry in 2006.