Nollywood veteran Olori Funmilayo Adedeji recently shared her perspective on how life in Canada has transformed over the past 34 years, noting a significant decline in communal living and trust within the community. Adedeji made these observations during an interview on the Talk to B podcast with Abiola Akinrinde.
Reflecting on her early years in Canada during the 1990s, Adedeji fondly recalled a time when communal living was the norm and people lived as an extended family, much like in Nigeria. However, she lamented that the influx of immigrants over the years has contributed to a growing sense of mistrust among residents.
“What has changed in the Canada of then and the Canada of now?” Akinrinde asked. Adedeji responded, “The trust has changed. Now there is less trust in people. I remember back in the ’90s, there was communal living, and we just continued on as if we were in Nigeria.”
Adedeji explained that as more people have moved to Canada, the once close-knit community has become fragmented. “Back then, your friends were like family, but these days, because of the crowd, there are a lot of people who don’t trust others. Now people don’t trust each other as much, and people will disappoint you, and because of that, communal living is being ripped apart gradually,” she said.
She also pointed out that in the past, it was common for people to help one another without expecting anything in return. “When you see a new person now, you are skeptical and unsure of whether to trust them. Because of the crowd, we are losing a bit of that communal living. Before, people could naturally give each other favours, but now everything is about money,” Adedeji added.
The veteran actress further highlighted broader societal changes, emphasizing that the increased focus on money has also played a role in the erosion of communal values. “A lot of people are migrating, and the world is changing, so people are so money-conscious, and nothing goes for nothing anymore, and it’s the reality that we are faced with,” she concluded.
Adedeji’s reflections provide a poignant commentary on the impact of migration and societal shifts on community dynamics, offering a glimpse into the challenges faced by those who have witnessed these changes firsthand.