Nollywood actress Imade Osawaru has publicly disagreed with actor Jim Iyke’s recent claim that single mothers cannot raise proper men. Speaking with Potpourri, Osawaru emphasized that it is the values instilled in children—not the family setup—that shape the kind of men they become.

“I strongly disagree. Proper men are not made by the number of parents in a home, but by the values they are raised with. I’ve seen single mothers raise kings, leaders, and visionaries. To say otherwise is to undermine the strength and resilience of countless women who are doing the work of two. A good man is raised by love, not just a ‘perfect’ family structure,” Osawaru stated firmly.

The actress also weighed in on the challenges facing actors in the digital age, pointing out that social media has shifted the entertainment industry’s priorities from talent to follower counts. She expressed frustration over how hard work and skill are sometimes overshadowed by social media popularity.

“The number one challenge is that follower count now seems more important than raw talent. It’s frustrating when your years of hard work, training, and experience are ignored just because you don’t have millions of followers. Social media should be a tool, not the yardstick for measuring creativity. Sadly, this trend is killing originality, because many young actors now chase clout instead of honing their craft,” Osawaru explained.

On a more personal note, she reflected on love and sacrifice, offering insights into her views on relationships and purpose. She described Nigerian men as “romantic in practical ways,” focusing more on meaningful support than grand gestures.

“Nigerian men can be romantic, but romance here is often more practical than dramatic—less candlelit dinners, more showing up when it matters. As for sacrifice, I once put someone else’s dreams before mine, only to realize love should never cost you your purpose. That experience shaped me: I now believe the greatest romance is when two people push each other to be their best selves, not when one person shrinks for the other to shine,” she shared.

Osawaru’s candid remarks add a fresh perspective to ongoing discussions about family, values, and the evolving landscape of Nigerian entertainment.