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Sunday 24 November 2019

Arts Truly ‘Your Excellency’ OBINNA EMELIKE

ou need to visit cinemas across the country from December 13, 2019 to see a very exciting movie that truly captures realities in Nigeria today, especially among the political class. Your Excellency, a directorial debut of Funke AkindeleBello is worth watching. The movie tells the story of Chief Olalekan Ajadi, a billionaire businessman and failed presidential candidate, who is obsessed with Donald Trump. Just when his campaign looks set to be another disaster, Ajadi is anointed by a major party and becomes a credible contender – all through the power of social media. As the political drama unfolds, it seems possible that even the most inept candidate, with little to offer voters except viral soundbites and amusing antics, can mount a serious challenge for the presidency. It parades movie stars who really delivered on their roles. From Akin Lewis, Funke Akindele, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, Eku Edewor, Emmanuel ‘EmmaOhMaGod’, Alexx Ekubo, Deyemi Okanlawon,

The cast members

Ini Dima-Okojie, Chioma ‘Chigul’ Omeruah, Ikechukwu Onunaku and Helen Paul, to others, the cast members will hold you spellbound with their hilarious antics. However, Akin Lewis, who played Chief Olalekan Ajadi, the presidential aspirant, was in his element or was rather truly ‘Your Excellency’ in the movie. As well, Funke Akindele, appears to be in fine comedic form as the other half of Akin Lewis while the other stars all combined to poke fun at

Nigerian political class and society at large. A media executive, who saw the set described the movie as a bouquet of laughter from all angles. Well, it is no surprise that the movie is much-awaited because of the names behind it. Funke Akindele is an experienced producer of eight movies, including the widely acclaimed Jenifa and The Return of Jenifa. She parlayed this success into the immensely popular television series Jenifa’s Diary, which

Habiba brings the plight of the girl-child to life on stage today

he ordeal of one of the 276 girls kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist group in 2014 is the focus of the musical stage play, Habiba. The musical, which will be staged at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos today November 23, 2019 seeks to draw attention to the plight of the girl-child in society. Produced by Longshot Communications, a film production/public relations company, the musical is the story of a vibrant and brilliant young girl brought to life on stage. Using a fictional character whose name also formed the title of the play – Habiba, the audience is taken along on the girl’s journey from the events leading to the day she was kidnapped along with her school mates in April 2014 by members of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group to the day she escaped from her captors. According to Kelechukwu Anunibe, creative director, Longshot Communications, Habiba seeks to raise questions on the unresolved issues surrounding the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014. He said al-

though some of the girls were later released at intervals by the Boko Haram following negotiations with the government, many others are still in captivity. Kelechukwu said, “Our stories are designed to bring social issues to the front-burner of the nation’s consciousness by driving conversations that birth social change. As a storytelling organisation, we have been providing artistic and directorial support to a faith-based organisation in Lagos since 2017 and we will continue to do so.” He said the girl whose story will be portrayed in the musical was kidnapped on the 14th of April in 2014. She managed to escape along with three other girls after months of horrifying treatment, rape and beatings, while some of her friends were killed in the Sambisa forest where they were being held in captivity. ‘Habiba’ and three other girls were set free by one of the terrorists who had been a long-time admirer of hers. The story tells how resilience can bring out the strength needed to keep going. The ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ (BBOG) campaign that later attracted global attention was born out of this true-life event.

On the night of 14th April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State. Responsibility for the kidnappings was claimed by Boko Haram, an extremist terrorist organisation based in north-eastern Nigeria. Fifty-seven of the schoolgirls managed to escape over the next few months and some have described their capture in appearances at international human rights conferences. Since then hopes were raised on various occasions that the 219 remaining girls might be released. Newspaper reports suggested that Boko Haram was hoping to use the girls as negotiating pawns in exchange for some of their commanders in jail. In May 2016, one of the missing girls, Amina Ali, was found. She claimed that the remaining girls were still there, but that six had died. A further 21 girls were freed in October 2016, while another was rescued the next month. Another was found on January 2017. Another 82 girls were freed in May 2017. One of the girls was rescued in January 2018.

became the most-watched family series in Nigeria. She also played a leading role in her directorial debut. Of course, EbonyLife Films, which produced the Fifty, The Wedding Party, The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai and Chief Daddy, is also behind the movie. Ahead of the cinema release of the movie, EbonyLife Films yesterday staged another opportunity for the Nigerian media to meet the starstudded cast of Your Excellency who talked about their

performances in the movie. Funke Akindele said it was not just a realization of her dream, but also also an adventure that has proven fruitful and helped to catapult her to her next level in the movie industry. “I am grateful to have achieved this directorial debut and I appreciate all the support from everybody, the cast and crew members and especially EbonyLife Films”, she said at an exclusive event at WhiteSpace, Ikoyi Lagos on Wednesday. On the reason the new movie from EbonyLife Films is a must-watch, Funke Akindele said, “Your Excellency has a great script, excellent cast and an experienced production team. It is great to be working with Mo Abudu again, soon after the success of Chief Daddy, and hopefully we can make another hit movie”. Akin Lewis, on the other hand, said he brought his over 40 years of experience in the movie industry to bear in the movie. “The role was natural to me, it flowed so easy and I wished it was real because Chief Olalekan Ajadi is real and wanted something good for his country only if he is giving a chance”, he said.

For Helen Paul, the movie captured the realities in the country in a very comic way. “If you watch the movie, you will get the message, but in comic form and nobody will say we are after you him because the message cut across politicians and other citizens”, she said. Other cast members were also excited to feature in the movie, assuring that it is a must-watch because of their great performances. Excited at another successful outing, Mo Abudu, the executive producer, who was also present to meet the press said. “We are so appreciative of this wonderful media support and the attendance of all our actors; especially as they all have such busy schedules. Also, I am grateful to our sponsors, Guinness Gold, Bollinger and Coca-Cola, for making this such a special occasion for all our guests”. As well, the media did not forget to ask how Funke Akindele-Bello managed to both direct and star in such a major project, especially as this was her directorial debut. She said, determination to do it, support from her fellow cast members and the EbonyLife Films platform worked the magic.

Tobems marks 9yrs anniversary in media, entertainment Josephine Okojie

obems Media, a leading multimedia and event production business has recently marked its 9th of business operations in the media and entertainment industry with clients, friends, and well-wishers. Tobems Media is one of Nigeria’s fast-rising production outfits providing quality videography services for documentaries, businesses, and artists. Tosin Obembe, CEO and creative director appreciated the clients and technical partners that have support the business thus far. “Tobems Media was born out of a desire to create an innovative edge and make an impact in the multimedia space,” Obembe said in a statement made available to BusinessDay. “What started in my living room as a simple videography venture has blossomed into a full-blown multimedia production and digital marketing agency with clients such as Tecno, Lagos Business School, Quilox, Sodium brand Solutions, Calabar Carnival, SBI Media and a host of advertising agencies.

L-R: Uche Sensei, OAP; Valerie Dish, actress and Tosin Obembe, CEO, Tobems Media during the celebration of the 9th anniversary of the business in Lagos recently.

Thank you for your patronage and support,” he said. Speaking on the plans of the business, Obembe confirmed that Tobems Media is expanding its digital strategy and marketing service to serve clients’ needs better. According to him, we have built so much experience in live event production, content creation and production with our clients over the years and it has become critical for them to maximize their content distribution process with the opportuni-

ties digital media has created. The event had in attendance stakeholders from the entertainment industry such as; Big Sam (Samuel Olatunji), Akin Abiola-Peller who was representing the chairman, Aquila Group of companies and members of the Federal House of Representatives, Shina Peller, CEO of BroadwayAfrica TV and producer of the Ghost and The Tout Movie, Nigerian Actress Valerie Dish, Kenneth Igbomor of CNBC Africa and among others.