Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has responded to criticism over his portrayal of Odogwu Obiora in Omoni Oboli’s film “Love In Every Word.” The character, an affluent Igbo businessman, lavishes his partner Chioma (played by BamBam) with love and generosity, leading some viewers to accuse Arukwe of stereotyping Igbo men as overly submissive or “simps.”

Despite the movie’s popularity, particularly among women who see it as an ideal representation of how men should treat their partners, some male viewers have expressed dissatisfaction. They argue that the film exaggerates men’s responsibilities in relationships. An X user, Himp2million, sparked a conversation by stating, “Anambra men are not simps. The movie is liked only by women who fantasize about an ‘odogwu’ who would spend everything on them.”

Arukwe addressed these concerns by emphasizing that taking care of one’s partner financially is a sign of responsibility, not weakness. He argued, “Providing for your partner and spending money on them doesn’t make you a ‘simp’; it makes you a responsible person. How else can you show love if not by meeting their needs from your wealth?”

This is not Arukwe’s first experience with backlash. In 2023, he faced criticism for allegedly overemphasizing his Igbo accent in Funke Akindele’s film “A Tribe Called Judah.”