Nigerian actress and media personality Omotunde Adebowale-David, popularly known as Adaku from Jenifa’s Diary, has opened up about a deeply painful chapter in her life.
During a recent episode of the Say My Piece podcast, which she co-hosts, Lolo revealed that she was raped by a male colleague in the broadcasting industry.
Her voice was steady, but her words carried years of pain. She described the assault as a traumatic experience that has left lasting emotional scars. This is the first time she is publicly speaking about the incident.
A long-buried truth
“I hardly ever say this,” she began during the podcast. “I’m not even ready to tell the full story.”
Lolo went on to say that the experience continues to affect her deeply. She struggles to be around the man who assaulted her, especially since they still cross paths professionally.
“I was raped once in my life, and it was by a colleague. I still see him around,” she said. “Every time I see him, I panic. It’s like I freeze inside.”
The fear of speaking out
Lolo explained why she has remained silent for so long. According to her, fear of public judgment has kept her from revealing the full story. She worried that if she named the man now—especially as he rose to a prominent TV role—people would question her timing.
“People will say, ‘Why are you speaking now after all these years?’” she said. “They’ll think I’m trying to ruin his career. But they won’t think about the pain I’ve carried all this time.”
Her concerns reflect a reality many women face when trying to speak out about sexual assault. The fear of disbelief, blame, and backlash often silences victims for years, if not forever.
A conversation with her daughter
What finally gave Lolo the courage to share her story was a conversation she had with her daughter.
“When I told her, she held my hand and said, ‘Mummy, you’ve gone through so much,’” Lolo recalled. “And I said, yes, I have.”
That moment of empathy and support reminded Lolo of her strength. It also reminded her of the many women who have suffered in silence, just like she did.
The emotional toll
Lolo spoke openly about the psychological weight of the incident. She said she constantly relives the trauma and often blames herself. These feelings, she explained, are all too common among survivors.
“When sexual assault happens, the first thing you feel is denial,” she said. “Then comes the self-blame. You start thinking, ‘Did I cause this? Did I let it happen?’”
She added that these emotions don’t go away easily, especially when the attacker remains present in your daily life.
Breaking the silence
By sharing her story, Lolo is joining a growing number of women who are breaking their silence and demanding change in the media and entertainment industries. Her words highlight the need for safer work environments and better support systems for survivors.
Although she chose not to name her attacker, her bravery in speaking out sends a clear message: it’s time to listen, believe, and support survivors of sexual violence.
Her story is a powerful reminder that trauma doesn’t disappear with time. And silence, often born from fear, doesn’t mean a lack of truth.
As conversations about sexual assault continue to grow across Nigeria and beyond, voices like Lolo’s shine a light on the work still needed. Her courage may just inspire others to speak up—and finally be heard.
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