Directors' Guild of Nigeria Honours Ooni Of Ife As Grand Patron

By Perekeme Odon

It was celebration galore, an epoch of cultural glitziness, excitement and exhilarating enthusiasm away from the average push and rush as family and friends of the apex custodian of the Nigerian filmmaking body, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) decorated, invested and conferred with a befitting honour on the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oonirisa Kabiyesi Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi as the Grand Patron of DGN and Imperial Majesty of Nollywood.

Ooni of Ife Receiving A Certificate of Honour From Olorogun Fred Amata

Nollywood actor/director and incumbent President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Olorogun Fred Amata, made the conferment to the Ooni of Ife on Tuesday, December 18, 2019, at his Arole Oodua Enuma Palace, Ile-Ife, Osun State of Nigeria as part of activities marking the guild’s 20th anniversary holding in March 2020 at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

During the majestic visit to the Ooni Royal Palace, the entourage had distinctive impressions about the Ooni, but one thing that immediately strikes a first time visitor to the Palace is the Ooni's uncommon affability and intellectualism. His love for his people is adequately reciprocated, as the entire palace ground swarms with people of different statuses and of various tribes and creeds.

(l-r) Ijeoma Imo, Ngozi Ogbonna, Angela Philips, Kemi, Vivian Okoro, Stephanie, & Uche Iwuji

The exclusive experience started with an opening prayer by one of Nollywood finest award-winning director, Mr. Teco Benson (MFR) and followed by the introduction of the delegates by DGN Founding President, Mr. Mathias Obahiagbon.

Speaking at the conferment ceremony, the DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata highlighted some pressing needs affecting the Nigerian movie industry and said the guild had taken proactive steps to overhaul film production in order to position it toward professionalism, entrepreneurship, and competitiveness.

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata Addressing The Ooni of Ife

“I am overwhelmed, privileged and honoured today to be leading a delegation of famous people of Nollywood to this land of greatness and cradle of civilization. There are various other guilds and associations in Nollywood. Our purpose of coming here despite the fame we have achieved is to felicitate and identify with this great land and King in the service to our creativity, humanity, and provision of assistance to professional filmmaking in Nigeria. Thank you for accepting DGN as we believe this synergy and bonding mark a new positive beginning for continuous support and encouragement to better the guild and the Nigerian movie industry.” He declared.

(l-r) Chief Peddie Okao, Mr. Ralph Nwadike, Olorogun Fred Amata, Ooni of Ife, & Chief Zeb Ejiro

Furthermore granted was a brief speech by the DGN BOT Member, Chief Zeb Ejiro (OFR) who upheld the action as colossal for the guild said; “I bring greetings from the Board as its Chairman. This is a massive achievement for the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria because the guild is the creative arm of Nollywood that makes Nigeria the third largest film-producing nation in the world. Thank you and God bless you as we will come again and again to meet your doors open.” He asserted.

The President, Association of Movie Producer (AMP), Mr. Ralph Nwadike also expressed his gratitude and admirations vis-à-vis the epoch-making event. “My father, you have made me proud for giving us a new name and height. It is indeed a great honour for Nollywood to have a great King, Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ile-Ife as a Grand Patron of Directors’ Guild of Nigeria. Thank you for making it possible for us to be here today and let the world hear that Nollywood has come to stay.” He stated.

(l-r) Osita Dr. Akposheri, Olorogun Amata, Ooni of Ife, Zeb Ejiro, Dr. Njoku, Uchenna, & Stephanie

The Oni of Ife, who rolled out various African cuisine and fanfare during the ceremony which he tagged ‘Tonight Is The Night’ thanked DGN for the honour bestowed him and tasked them to come up with an improved method of taking the movie industry to another level.

“I greet all members and executives of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria. It is indeed a great honour and adoration to have you here. You have shown me, love, peace, and a sign of togetherness. I don’t know who told you to come to make me your Grand Patron, because I am very happy to associate with you from today. I am a very active supporter of the movie industry in Nigeria. I have supported lots of movie initiatives and projects in Nigeria. Things I have been doing indirectly can be done directly now.” He stated.

(l-r) A. Yakubu, S. Azubuike, Chief P. Okao, T. Benson, Fred Amata, Ooni of Ife, R. Nwadike,

 & Zeb Ejiro

The Ooni went on to charge filmmakers for their relentless efforts in ensuring that the world has come to know us with our movies. “Everyone is running after Netflix. Why can’t we have our own Netflix here? Why can’t we have hubs where we can be downloading movies and think outside the box? I built a resort in Lagos. It is one of the biggest resorts in Nigeria with about 250 hectares of land. My plan was to build a movie city before I became a King. Several movies have actually been done there. I have been thinking aloud that in this country we should have a movie city like what they have in California. Even as a King I am trying to build a film city that is called Ife Grand Resort and trying to take it to another level.” He said.

Ooni Of Ife In A group Pose with Nollywood

Kabiyesi commended members of the guild for the stimulating contributions made and promised to help them since piracy and other vices affecting filmmaking in Nigeria are fading out gradually.

“We will definitely work together. Right now we are doing Moremi Theatre we taking to Broadway in a few month's time. Now that you have given me what I am very passionate about by bringing me on board as your Grand Patron, I will also make sure that those powerful people in Nigeria are brought on board with you. There are a lot of people that are getting very much interested in the Nigerian movie industry. So it is all-important for us to all sit down and see how to take it to another level because I will support you wholeheartedly.” He affirmed.

(l-r) Vivian, Uche, Ngozi, Olorogun Fred Amata, Ooni of Ife, Kemi, Stephanie, Angela & Ijeoma

Present at the event are DGN Founding Member, Mr. Sam Azubuike, DGN Founding President, Mr. Matthias Obahiagbon,  Leader of DGN Benin Zonal delegation, Chief Peddie Okao, AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna, Rycardo Agbor, DGN Financial Secretary, Dr. Tony Akposheri, Davidson Izegaegbe, Ricardo Agbor, Johnbull Negbenebor, Angela Philips, Vivian Okoro, Kemi Adekomi, DGN PH Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Sammy Ogunbiyi, Prince Olayinka Ibikunle, Prince Tunji Onochie Aderibigbe, AGN National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, Prince Olayinka Awosunle Christopher, and Mr. Kenneth Njoku. 

Others include Ooni of Ife Media Officer, Comrade Moses Olafare, Obafemi Awolowo University Director of Business School, Dr. Prince Makinwa & HOD, Public Health, OAU Prof. Olapeju Esimai, DGN PRO, Perekeme Odon, DGN National Secretary, Uchenna Agbo, DGN Provost, Osita Okoli. Victor Emeghara, Uche Iwuji, DGN PH Zonal Secretary, Fred Mayford, Ijeoma Imoh, and Stephanie Osaghae.

Palace Of The Ooni of Ife

Olorogun Fred Amata & Ooni of Ife

Olorogun Fred Amata & Ooni of Ife

(L-R) Mr. Sam Azubuike, Teco Benson(MFR), Chief Peddie Okao & Mr. Ralph Nwadike

Association of Movie Producers (AMP) President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike

Award-Winning Movie Director, Mr. Teco Benson (MFR)

AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna Performing Before The Ooni of Ife

Actress Angela Philips Delivering A Movie Jingle Before The Ooni of Ife

(L-R) Benin Zonal Coordinator Davidson Izegaegbe, Mazi Osita Okoli & Fred Mayford

(l-r) Angela, Vivian, Kemi, Rykardo Agbo, Ngozi Ogbonna, & Ijeoma Imo

(L-R) DGN Founding President, Mr. Matthias Obahiagbon , Perekeme Odon & Ijeoma Imoh

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata In From Of The Palace Of The Ooni of Ife

DGN National Secretary, Uchenna Agbo At The Palace Of The Ooni of Ife

AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna & Director Victor Emeghara

(l-r) Chief Zeb Ejiro, Dr. Ken Njoku, Olorogun Fred Amata & Mathias Obahiagbon

(l-r)OAU Director of Business School, Dr. Prince Makinwa & OAU HOD Public Health, Prof. Olapeju Esimai

Stephanie Osaghae & Vivian Okoro

Actress Angela Philips

DGN National PRO, Perekeme Odon & Olayinka Ibikunle

DGN National Provost, Mazi Osita Okoli

AMP President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike & DGN BOT Member, Chief Zeb Ejiro (OFR)

Palace Dinning

Rykardo Agbo & UniLag FM OAP / Actress, kemi Adekomi

DGN Fin. Sec, Dr. Tony Akposheri & Founding DGN President, Matthias Obahiagbon

(l-r) Vivian Okoro & Ijeoma Imo

Actor Rykardo Agbo

Benin Zonal Secretary, Johnbull Negbenebor and Victor Emeghara

AGN National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu

(l-r)Angela, Chief Peddie, Abu, Pere, Dr. Tony, Rykardo, Dr. Ken, Uche, Dr. Ogunbiyi, Fred & Uche

Angela Philips and Fred Mayford

([-r) AGN Nat. Sec. Abu Yakubu, Angela, Rykardo, Uchenna, Uche Iwuji, Fred & Dr. Ogunbiyi

DGN BOT Member, Chief Zeb Ejiro (OFR) and DGNPresident,  Olorogun Fred Amata

Breakfast Time

DGN National Secretary, Uchenna Agbo & DGN National PRO, Perekeme Odon

(l-r) Perekeme Odon, Angela Philips and AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna

(l-r) Vivian Okoro, Ijeoma Imo, Uche Iwuji, Angela Philips & Kemi Adekomi

DGN Financial Secretary, Dr. Tony Akposheri

(l-r) Perekeme Odon, Dr. Sammy Ogunbiyi, Dr. Kenneth Njoku & Fred Mayford

(l-r) Ngozi Ogbonna, Teco Benson (MFR) & Olorogun Fred Amata

(L-R) Dr. Ogunbiyi, Dr. Akposheri, Mathias, Teco Benson, Sam Azubuike & Fred Mayford

Actor Rykardo Agbo & Ifeanyi Chimeh (Eshilo Visuals)

 

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata & Davidson Izegaegbe

Prince Tunji Onochie Aderibigbe  and Johnbull Negbenebor

Actress Angela Philips and Director Uchenna Agbo

DGN PRO, Perekeme Odon and Award-Winning Movie Director, Teco Benson (MFR)

DGN National PRO, Perekeme Odon

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata Presenting A Certificate of Honour To The Ooni of Ife

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata & HIM Ooni of Ile-Ife

(L-R) Olorogun Fred Amata, Mathias Obahiagbon & Tunji

(L-R) AGN Abubakar Yakubu, Teco Benson (MFR) & Mr. Sam Azubuike

DGN Port Harcourt Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Sammy Ogunbiyi

DGN Port Harcourt Zonal Secretary, Mr. Fred Mayford

(l-r) Chief Zeb Ejiro, Olorogun Fred Amata, Comrade Moses Olafare & Yinka Ibikunle

DGN PH Coordinator, Dr. Sammy Ogunbiyi & Dr. Kenneth Njoku

DGN Founding President, Mr. Matthias Obahiagbon & Actress Ijeoma Imo

Filmmaker Teco Benson (MFR) Conducting The Opening Prayer

DGN President Applauds Genevieve Nnaji As Lion Heart Makes Oscar Entry

By Perekeme Odon

The Nigerian film industry has once again done the country proud with an entry at the 2020 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS) in the Best Foreign Film category with ‘Lion Heart; a film produced and directed by delectable actress, Genevieve Nnaji (MFR). The category is dedicated to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States of America with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.

Genevieve Nnaji

Each year, countries with an approved selection committee may submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film Award Oscar, and only five films are chosen from all international submissions from which a winner of the international feature film category is chosen.

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata

The President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Olorogun Fred Amata in his message said,  DGN which is the custodian of the film art and culture in Nigeria with over 20 years in existence has consistently seeks frontiers of interaction to develop and promote standards that pursue artistic excellence. "This accomplishment has unlocked Africa, and Nigeria in particular, that Nigeria has talent as demonstrated by Genevieve Nnaji, and the capacity to stand tall and compete favourably as equals with her international colleagues.” He remarked.

(L-R) Pete Edochie. Onyeka Onwenu & Ngozi Ezeonu

He went further to say, “Lion Heart, first ever Nigerian entry for the Oscars will be seen by future generations as the break-point of the world judgments of Nigerian film, industry and filmmakers to a very large extent because It is also a phenomenal feat that our innovative performers have received much deserved recognition at the heart of the world’s leading film and cinema community in the Best Foreign Film category.”

DGN recognises the evolving revolution of Nigerian female directors who stand out in making the nation proud with their locally produced movies satisfying Nigerians and impacting various cinemas and international film festivals like the Toronto and Berlin Film Festival. DGN inducted 10 female meritorious admissions into the guild to encourage female filmmakers willing to up directorial roles at the 2018 DGN National Convention in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

(L-R) Genevieve Nnaji, Pete Edochie & Nkem Owoh

Olorogun Amata applauds and salutes the cast and production team of the much-admired movie ‘Lion Heart’ for the stimulating contribution they have made to indigenous Nigerian film-making. “We are exceptionally pleased that the efforts of the Federal Government through various film outfits like the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to promote and create an enabling environment for Nigerian film is bearing fruit. We furthermore extend our congratulations to thousands of nameless and faceless persons who contribute to the realization of a film apart from the actors and the film directors. It is the duty of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) to train, produce and nurture a new generation of Nigerian storytellers, through the help of various film institutions and bodies in the country who will take the captivating accounts of our general knowledge to the world.” The President affirmed.

Members of the Nigeria Oscar Selection Committee with the chairman, Chineze Anyaene

He furthermore acknowledged the reconstituted 12-member committee of Nollywood stakeholders of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC), Chaired by Chineze Anyaene and other members who are Mildred Okwo, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Ngozi Okafor, Charles Novia, Abba Makama, Bruce Ayonote, Ramsey Nouah, Chioma Ude, Shaibu Husseini, Adetokunbo “DJ Tee” Odubawo and CJ Obasi for all the efforts.

“I am convinced that many other exhilarating Nigerian films will follow the marvelous success of ‘Lion Heart’ because the entry will open up new opportunities for Nigerian talents to shine. Through the entry of ‘Lion Heart’ in the Oscars, we hope filmmakers will develop more awareness of the exceptional talent Nigeria possesses and what wonderful scenery and landscape our lovely country has to offer. The Nigerian entry to the Oscar is an indication of the entrance of native Nigerian filmmaking. Today we can sincerely say that we are on the right path and there is no stopping us, now!” He stated.

Kanayo O. Kanayo & Genevieve Nnaji In 'Lion Heart'

Global film audiences have been watching and buying Nigerian films with their wallets and their feet. Before the Oscars entry, the film ‘Lion Heart’ has won analytical commendation. The film, though uniquely Nigerian, has a widespread charm and its road to the Oscars has been covered with various other awards.

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI GCFR. FROM THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY GUILDS & ASSOCIATIONS

TO THE PRESIDENT.

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI GCFR.

ASO ROCK PRESIDENTIAL VILLA

FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

ABUJA.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA: CREATIVE INDUSTRY FINANCE INITIATIVE (CIFI) LOAN PROGRAM.

1. The Nollywood Guilds and Associations of Nigeria with over Five million active members seize this opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration, for affirming the critical role of the Nigerian Creative Industry especially Nollywood as the main empowerment instrument for millions of Nigerian youths. Nollywood is a frontline partner with the Federal government of Nigeria to actualize President Buhari's laudable vision of creating 100 million vital youth jobs in four years. It was therefore welcome news when the President announced the single digit 22 Billion Naira loan facility to the Creative industry, to spur the immediate creation of millions of youth jobs annually.

2. The entire Nigerian Creative Industry greeted the Federal government's intervention with initial euphoria, but immediately after engaging the leading Nigerian Banks spearheading the actualization of the program, we have since sadly realized that the structure of the program as being implemented by Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, and the two leading Banks (Access Bank and Guarantee Trust Bank) is completely flawed and will not achieve the expectations of Mr. President.

3. It was expected that both CBN and the two main Nigerian Banks would at least consult with the Nollywood leadership, blessed with over 500 years of combined applicable global experience in the entertainment industry, to jointly craft an innovative, technologically advanced film production and distribution strategy and master plan that will not only sustain the Nigerian Creative industry, but will ultimately satisfy President Buhari's critical mandate of massive job creation for the teeming Nigerian youth population. Though the Nollywood leadership had already internally developed a unique and strategic master plan for the Creative Industry based on 25 years of tried and tested solutions with excellent Proof of Concept applications, CBN completely ignored and relegated the 15 Federal government registered Nollywood Guilds and Associations and shockingly imposed impossible conditionality for the CIFI loan application which no single practicing creative industry company can meet. This rather unfortunate action by CBN portrays a very sad, haughty, paternalistic and disdainful view of Nollywood, the Industry that single handedly raised Nigeria's economy to the number one position in Africa. The result of CBN's ill-advised strategy has left Nollywood aghast. Worse still is the potential waste of Nigeria's hard earned financial resources simply because of bureaucratic arrogance and a lack of required due diligence.

4A. To buttress the mistake, CBN and the Banks, only created the category of high end extremely costly Cinemas as the only viable distribution option for Nollywood films. This is shocking and completely counter-productive since most industry practitioners understand and appreciate the new global distribution opportunities of 5G Digital Monetization through the internet and several innovations in symbiotic relationship with Fintech, 25 Billion Dollars annual remittances, Nigerian advantageous Five Fiber Optic undersea cable companies and the well developed Nigerian advertising industry.

(B) The archaic brick and mortar Cinema distribution opportunities have been rendered not viable especially in Nigeria where the average cinema is built with a whopping cost of over 500 million Naira with only 400 seats with expensive Digital Cinema Print (DCP) projection technology. A simple alternative would have been to build Five Cottage Cinemas of 400 seats each at the over 700 local government centers, with the same amount, with attendant world class, affordable BLURAY 1080p projection technology and Digital Knowledge Process Outsourcing (DKPO) international monetization capacity.

(C) Ironically, the entire Nollywood shoots in 1080p, the global standard digital format. The CBN preferred massive cinema edifices force Nollywood film producers to convert their content to DCP at an additional cost of One Hundred thousand Naira per cinema screen. Meanwhile the discombobulated film Producer can only expect Thirty Percent of Cinema gate takings, after paying Sixty percent of the gross to the Cinema/ distributor (who is actually also the same cinema owner) and mandatory Ten percent gross as Federal government Tax plus an additional Five percent Lagos State government VAT.

(D) This lopsided arrangement ruins the ability of Nollywood film producers to continuously produce quality content and directly frustrates their capacity to create much needed employment for Nigerians. Ironically, the cinemas can only create maximum Fifty jobs per cinema location. Twenty cinemas at the proposed Five Hundred Million Naira each (Ten Billion Naira) can only generate at best, One thousand jobs total.

5. Nollywood Guilds trepidation therefore stems from the naivety of the Banks in executing the CIFI loan funds without any knowledge whatsoever about the industry. Four years from now when we all look back and reminisce over the disaster, the Nigerian youth population would have been cheated out of the great opportunity presented by President Buhari's kind intervention. It is therefore simply because of this critical reason that the Nollywood Guilds and distinguished Associations, have come together in one voice, to raise alarm to caution against the impending catastrophe.

6. The far-reaching deplorable Nigerian Banks attitude towards the Nigerian Creative Industry subjugates Nollywood and the entire Creative Industry to a shameful dependence on foreign controlled media of archaic, non-interactive set top box Satellite Technology. Apart from the national disgrace, the foreigners make out like bandits, taking undue advantage of the Nigerian Creative Industry art and talents. For those bold Nollywood film and music entrepreneurs who are forced to seek venture capital elsewhere, they are subjected to agreeing to incorporate neo cultures completely alien to indigenous Nigerian culture and mores in their content and programming. Unfortunately some Nigerians have acquiesced to their subtle yet potent demands so as survive. We will witness the repercussions of their choice soon in the Nigerian creative space.

7. Nollywood Guilds are ready, willing and able to actualize President Buhari's vision for the empowerment of millions of Nigerian youths. With a singular four year budget of Ten million Dollars, the industry has the structure, experience, capacity, global relationship equity and overall wherewithal to practically and realistically create and sustain Five Million youth jobs by producing, distributing and monetizing 5,000 movies globally in Four years and in the process, champion the positive propagation of the distinguished Nigerian personality worldwide, thereby facilitating much needed marketing opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Nigerian economy.

The ball is in Mr. President's court. We await Your Excellency's decision.

SIGNED BY

* PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF MOVIE PRODUCERS (AMP)

* PRESIDENT, DIRECTORS’ GUILD OF NIGERIA (DGN)

* PRESIDENT, ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA. (AGN) 

* PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN THEATRE ARTS * PRACTITIONERS (NANTAP)

*PRESIDENT, MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (MOPPAN)

* PRESIDENT, INDEPENDENT TELEVISION PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (ITPAN)

* PRESIDENT, SCREEN WRITERS GUILD OF NIGERIA (SWGN)

* PRESIDENT, CINEMATOGRAPHY SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (CSN)

* PRESIDENT, CREATIVE DESIGNERS GUILD OF NIGERIA (CDGN)

* PRESIDENT, CONGRESS OF EDO MOVIE PRODUCERS (CEMP)

* PRESIDENT, THEATRE AND MOVIE PRACTITIONERS ASSOCIATION OF 

NIGERIA (TAMPAN)

* PRESIDENT, FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCERS MARKETING ASSOCIATION 

OF NIGERIA (FVPMAN)

* PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF VOICE OVER ARTISTE OF NIGERIA (AVOA) 

* PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF CORE MOVIE PRODUCERS (ANCOP)

* PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF MOVIE CONTENT OWNERS AND PRODUCER / MARKETERS OF NIGERIA (AMCOD)

* PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN THEATRE ARTS PRACTITIONERS (ANTP)

CC: CBN GOVERNOR

CC: HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE

CC: HON. MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE