Nollywood actor Bucci Franklin, best known for his role in To Kill a Monkey, has shared an emotional reflection on his childhood, praising single mothers while recounting his struggles of growing up without a father figure.
In an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo on YouTube, the actor revealed that although his father was alive, he was absent throughout his childhood, leaving his mother to raise him alone.
“It Is Not Easy to Be a Single Parent”
Franklin admitted that his father’s absence exposed him to negative influences as a teenager.
“As a kid, I had my woman shege. It is not easy to be a single parent. My mum had to go to work. Not having a father figure is quite difficult,” he said, giving maximum respect to women who raise their children alone.
The actor emphasized the importance of male guidance, especially for boys:
“You need a man in your life. If you do not want to get married, you need a brother to play that role. For boys especially, you just need a father figure.”
Teenage Struggles
Opening up further, Franklin confessed that he experimented with alcohol, cigarettes, and girls at a young age.
“I was into girls, drugs—by drugs, I mean cigarettes. Drinking beer at a very young age. Coming back home completely wasted,” he recounted.
Forgiveness and Healing
Despite the challenges, Franklin revealed that he has chosen to forgive his father.
“My dad is good, but he was not in the picture. I see him now for the man he is, not the man he was. I have forgiven him.”
He credited his mother, Mrs. Joy, for shaping his values and molding the man he has become.
“The man that I am today, and that I would continue to be, is because of Mrs Joy,” he added.
A Tribute to Single Mothers
Franklin’s heartfelt revelations highlight both the struggles faced by fatherless children and the resilience of single mothers raising future leaders against all odds.
