Death stalks… Sola Onayiga, Ada Ameh bow out

IT has been a season of mourning for practitioners of the motion picture industry in Nigeria. They have found themselves attending more candle-light events in honour of departed colleagues than they have visited locations. It has been one news of sudden death or the other. Indeed, between January and early this July, the industry has been thrown into deep shock owing to the serial death of notable practitioners.

In February alone, the industry mourned three veteran actors: Romanus Amuta, popular as ‘Natty’ in the New Masquerade; John Adewuni Adewoye, popular as ‘Tafa Oloyede’ in Yoruba movies; and the accomplished actor, poet and dramatist, Babalari Williams, who passed on in his maternal native home Ikom in Cross Rivers State after a protracted illness.

In March, Nollywood ‘teared up’ when news broke that notable actress Shade Akin Taylor, popularly known as ‘Oluweri Magbojo’ and fast-rising actress, Takor Veronica, had passed on. Shade who is popular amongst fans of Yoruba language movies reportedly died at the age of 59 in the United Kingdom while the Benue-born Veronica was found dead in a hotel room in Makurdi, Benue state.

In April and May 2022, Nollywood was left to mourn Dejo Tunfulu, with the real name, Kunle Mac-Adetokunbo and fast-rising actress Chinedu Bernard. Tunfulu was best known for playing the role of a clown in movies, while Bernard who reportedly died after she slumped had featured in a number of movies including The Regret, Royal Bracelet, Onlocked, My Sister’s Man, and Love Without Conscience.

In May, Nollywood mourned three of their colleagues: actress Francisca Choji, actor David Osagie and the stage and screen actor Gbenga Richards. Francisca was found dead in a hotel in Jos, Plateau state on May 1, Osagie reportedly died in his sleep, hours after he left a movie set, while Gbenga Richard died following a protracted illness.

Then in June, news broke that the theatre, television and film industry lost one of its illustrious practitioners- Yinka Ogundaisi. The veteran actor, writer, producer and administrator died after a long battle with illness and was buried in his native Oyo town.

If theatre and movie practitioners found Ogundaisi’s death shocking, they were completely broken when news broke on Monday July 18 that filmdom has lost two vital members of the tribe – Sola Awojobi Onayiga and Ada Obande Ameh. The passing of the two actresses same day has thrown the industry into deep mourning since Monday. Sola who is best known for living delightfully the role of ‘Ireti’ aka ‘Kitchen Practical’ in the defunct situational comedy on television, ‘Fuji House of Commotion’ died in a Lagos hospital on Monday morning while Ada who is popular for her role as Emuakpor Johnson in the television drama series on Africa Magic ‘The Johnsons’ reportedly died on Sunday in Warri, Delta State after she collapsed. The death of the ebullient actress is coming several weeks after she publicly declared that she was battling with ‘max depression’. The actress lost her only child in 2020 and has in the last couple of years lost her father and 6 siblings.

Most people got to know about Sola Onayiga’s death when it was announced by film critic Shaibu Husseini via his Facebook and Twitter handles on Monday. Shaibu wrote, “I have just been informed that the accomplished Stage and Screen Actress and Fellow of the Theatre Arts Auntie Sola Awojobi Onayiga has passed on. Auntie Sola, who is best known for living the role of Ireti aka Catering practical in the defunct television sitcom ‘Fuji House of Commotion’ delightfully, reportedly passed on this morning. Journey well, Ma! Journey Well!”

For Ada, most people didn’t believe the news that the Benue-born actress had passed on, until it was confirmed by the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas. ‘’I have just been reliably informed that we have lost Ada. The cause of her death is not known yet, but I can confirm that we have lost Ada Ameh’, Rollas said.

…Rain of tributes to the beloved departed

TRIBUTES have continued to pour in for Ada Ameh and Sola Onayiga since Monday. Notable director and writer Austin Awolonu described Onayiga as a disciplined thespian and core professional. He also wrote: ‘’It is a sad day for the theatre and entertainment industry in Nigeria. We have lost a committed, professional and disciplined thespian. Adieu Sola’.’

Also, Veteran actor Edmond  Enaible, popularly known as Teacher Chike, paid tribute to Sola Onayiga whom he described ‘’as a quintessential artiste who found joy in performance; whether on stage or in front of a camera’.’ He wrote: “Hmmmm…. Aunty Sola has gone home to rest. Finally. She lived life. She surprised many with her love for life. Sola was the quintessential artiste who found joy in performance; whether on stage or in front of a camera. Never satisfied with one role interpretation, Sola pushed the limits to BE the role she plays. That is why she has so many aliases including “Iya Odosun” (from “The King Must Dance Naked”) and “Ireti” (“Checkmate”/”Fuji House Of Commotion”). The crowning glory of her professional height is the many awards Sola received as an actress and dance artistes with the NANTAP Fellowship of Theatre Arts, being the ‘Baba’ of them all. May God grant Kanmi Oniyiga, her devoted and loving husband, who stood astutely by her, the fortitude to bear this sad loss. Condolences to the NANTAP family. May her soul rest in perfect peace.”

Notable producer and actor, Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, paid glowing tribute to Sola and Ada Ameh. He wrote:  “You two touched lives with your crafts and charming personalities. But you have run your race so well and must now take a bow from the stage on which you shone like a million stars. It is sad to say goodbye. Life indeed is a marketplace. We all don’t go to the market for the same purpose, and none leaves the market until s/he has accomplished that purpose that brought him/her to the market. Although what life throws at us in this marketplace can be too overwhelming that sometimes we may feel like asking questions, who do we ask – God? Our consolation is that there is a prize after every race, and we’re confident that you’ve gone to that better place to receive your prizes. The industry you loved so well will miss both of you. May Christ accept your souls and grant you both his peace and perfect rest.”

In a special tribute which he personally signed and shared on his Facebbok page, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello expressed sadness over the death of Nollywood actress, Ada Ameh. The Governor described Ada who had her most pronounced screen debut in the ground-breaking movie, ‘Domitila’, by Zeb Ejiro, as a sister and compatriot. The Governor also wrote; “I am saddened by the sudden demise of my sister and compatriot, Ada Ameh, two days ago. This is indeed a shocking development for all of us who knew the vivacious Ada and have been thrilled over the years by her life and times. Ada Ameh was 48 years old at the time of her untimely death.  She was an accomplished actress who wowed us from her first major movie role as Anita in 1996’s Domitilla with scintillating performances on the screen interpreted with elan and skill. Ada was one of the pioneer thespians of the Nollywood phenomenon and the acclaimed mentor of some of today’s biggest stars of the Nigerian movie industry.  Above all, our sister was a down-to-earth human who used her stardom to advocate for the poor and vulnerable. Ada Ameh faced some of the major difficulties confronting today’s youth in her own life, including teenage pregnancy, the untimely death of a dear child as well as sundry health challenges. Through it all she displayed a rare and inspirational courage. Ada Ameh’s death is a huge loss to Nigeria and to all who knew and loved her. As we mourn her demise, it is our prayer that the Almighty God will forgive her any shortcoming and grant her eternal repose. You will always be fondly missed’’.

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PREVIEW

Title- Tiger’s Tail  

Producer- Victor Okpala

Director- Victor Okpala

Actors- Zubby Michael, Alexx Ekuboh, Etinosa Idemudia, Tacha Eke and others.

THE action-packed romantic thriller opened in cinemas across the country from July 22. Directed by Victor Okpala and Co-written by Okpala, Tope Akinbode and Diche Enuwa, the movie stars the inimitable Zubby Michael, Kelechi Udegbe, Nosa Rex, Alexx Ekuboh, Etinosa Idemudia and Tacha Eke in her first-ever movie appearance before or after her exploits in the Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) reality show. The movie is centred on the issue of street kids and other social vices. It is promoted as a movie that aims at educating, entertaining and encouraging those who are on the wrong path of life to turn a new leaf.

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Notice Board

Nigerian Film Corporation signs MOU with KAP Film Academy

Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the KAP Film Academy to certify the 300,000 students that will pass through the KAP E-Learning program for the next three years. Information sourced from KAP E-Newsletter indicates that the signing ceremony was held in Lagos on July 21, 2022 and was performed by the Managing Director of the NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe and the Head of KAP Film Academy Kunle Afolayan. The Rector of the nation’s premier film institution, National Film Institute, Prof Jeremiah Methuselah witnessed the ceremony. 

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Africa Film Academy takes film training round Lagos

The African Film Academy (AMA), which is the mother body of the annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has since April been taking its flagship Film In A Box training project around major local government areas of Lagos State. Last week, the team of the project organised in collaboration with the Lagos State government under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism rounded up a four-week film training in Alimosho local council of Lagos State. The training facilitated by veteran actor Keppy Ekpeyong and film director, Achor Yusuf, attracted over 200 young Nigerians with aspirations to become part of the Nigerian film industry. Speaking on the progress and general overview of the training, Ekpeyong said, “We had the mandate to train a minimum of 250 participants in three local councils, so we flagged off here in Alimosho. Initially, we did not expect what we encountered; we have been shocked and surprised by the reception. I think Alimosho managed to change the facilitators, because we have evolved people who have become what they want to be. Some really came in with passion and by the second week, they became unbelievable. We are so happy that there are more people here who would make it as actors outside mediocrity, outside social media hype, we have a lot of great people here in about six solid areas.”

Also speaking, film director, Achor Yusuf, expressed delight at the talent and dedication of the participants, saying, “this is massive; the impact on society is massive. There’s so much crime around but if you think deeply about it, you would realize that this is as a result of so much negative space where people are not positively engaged.” Continuing, Achor said, “I really commend the Lagos State Government in partnership with the African Film Academy for this initiative. The kind of people we find here are young people, mature people who are interested in bettering their craft, and in a matter of time, we all will see the impact on the Nigerian film industry because I see the eagerness and zeal that the participants showed.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Africa Movie Academy and founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, revealed plans by AMA to invest time and resources in the trainees while expressing gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Tourism. She said “This is a six weeks training, they have done four weeks of training and learning and they will be going for practical, that means shooting a film for the next two weeks. It’s actually been an interesting time, especially with the kind of students we have had here in Alimosho and we have done it from basics and taken them through the rudiments to the business of films. It’s been interesting seeing the amount of talent that we have found. I can tell you we have identified several real talents that will go on and do incredibly in the industry. From Alimosho, we will be moving to Badagry.”

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WORD BITES:

“Surviving in the industry and staying at the top takes the grace of God. It also has a lot to do with hard work and being at the right place at the right time. We have our ups and downs and we have moments when things will generally look dull.  It has not been easy but I have been able to pull through all these years only by the grace of God. The road here was rough. What has helped is the passion for the job and the orientation I was brought up with, which is to love, be truthful and be content.  I also believe that success is about encouraging others and influencing other people and bringing that change’’. – The late Ada Ameh on how she has been able to pull through in Nollywood

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“It would be difficult to list all the plays I have done here because I have done quite a lot. This is even not considering the ones I did when I was in Ife. I have really lost count. But one thing is ever sure. There is nothing like doing it on stage. We love to work but it’s the environment that is not conducive. We need space and funding too because acting on stage is capital intensive. We need funds to rehearse and then pay the artistes well’. –The Late Sola Onayiga on her most memorable production

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Star Fad & Hobbies

The prolific writer-director- Charles Novia

“As a writer, it would be ‘The Battle of Love’ which I wrote in 1999 and it was Executive Produced by Kingsley Ogoro. It’s a love story couched in the Biafran War and it was originally titled ‘Guns of Biafra’ before the National Film and Video Censors Board asked for a change of title. As a director, I have many good memories but I will single out ‘The Covenant Church’ because it was a biopic on the founder of The Redeemed Christian Church of God and on Pastor Adeboye, the G.O. I wrote and directed that movie for Dove Media in 2005 and it was an extensive project which took months. As an actor, it would be my role as ‘Ena’ in a sitcom I created and wrote 36 episodes for NTA Network in 1998. It’s titled ‘One Big Family’ and I was a regular cast for over 9 months on Network Television.”

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The producer-director, Blessing Egbe-

“Simply put: the gains are the GAIN one makes. Be it monetary, lives effected for good, and otherwise. The loss? Well there have been monetary LOSSES too, but overall, I am happy with my work as a film maker.  I am also content.”

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MILESTONES AND ROUGHCUTS

 #Mo Abudu is on DFMI ADVISORY BOARD–  

Nigeria’s film and media amazon Mo Abudu has been appointed as a member of the international advisory committee of the Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI). Abudu who is CEO of the EbonyLife Group will join eight other members of the advisory committee to provide new insights, expertise and connection to the Durban FilmMart Institute. Other members of the committee are founding partner, Alta Global Media, Steven Adams (USA); CEO of Docubox, Judy Kibanga (Kenya); Head of International Acquisition at XYZ films, Todd Brown (Canada) and Head of Drama, Canal + International, Cecile Gerardin (France). Others are Director of Film for Sub-Saharan African region, Netflix’s Tendeka Matatu (UK); Director and Founder of One Story Up, Roger Ross Williams (USA); General Manager of Dox Box Jihan El-Tahri (Egypt) and Dana Sims (UK) of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). In announcing the constitution of the committee, Chairperson of the DFMI Board of Directors says Jacintha de Nobrega said: ‘’We are privileged to have been afforded access to a diverse group of industry roleplayers who are committed to taking African content to the global market, thereby ensuring that DFMI remains a key entry point that connects our industry to the world,” adding that in selecting the advisory panel, the DFMI purposely selected esteemed and influential industry leaders that will support the DFMI in increasing its footprint in the global market’’.

Born Mosunmola Abudu, but popular as Mo Abudu, the media mogul and philanthropist has been described by Forbes as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman“,and rated as one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television” by The Hollywood Reporter. In 2014, she was honoured with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Honouris Causa) from Babcock University. The University of Westminster awarded Abudu with an honorary doctorate degree in 2018 for her contributions to the broadcasting industry in Nigeria. The University of Westminster awarded Mo an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts in 2018. 

The DFMI is involved in critical work facilitating the local and international investment and trade around African filmmaking. The flagship event, the Durban FilmMart, has a rich heritage of uplifting promising professionals, providing the platform for networking and helping projects find the funding and distribution channels that they need to share their work. Themed ‘Changing the Narrative’, the Durban FilmMart begins on July 2^d  and will run through July 31.

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