The movie industry in Nigeria aptly tagged; Nollywood is one of the top
three leading motion picture industries in the world. Few weeks ago,
Nollywood celebrated its 20 years of existence, though that is still
being argued by some of its stakeholders who believe the industry is
even older than Nigeria, which gained independence in 1960.
However,
whether the industry is 20 or 60 years old, there are some major
players in front of the camera who wield huge influences in the
industry. These set of people shape and in some ways, dictate what goes
on in this important sector of the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
Apart
from being the popular faces most movie buffs see on their screens,
these stars are in the forefront of some sharing formulas whenever there
is a national cake to eat.
Not too long ago, a Governor of a
South-South State in Nigeria gave the industry N50 million, some of
these players were fully involved in allotting what goes to any group
within the system. One of them even reportedly pocketed over N5 million
from the spoils. That shows that bubble would burst if she is not
carried along.
Here are some of the most influential Nollywood stars.
Joke Silva: This veteran actress has come a long way in the
movie industry in Nigeria. Mama J, as she is fondly called by the
younger generations in the film industry, has created a viable name and
brand for herself. She is seen as a role model in Nollywood.
Unfortunately,
some of those who look up to her don’t follow her good steps. If those
who truly see her as a role model imitate her, Nollywood wouldn’t be as
scandalous as it is today. However, Joke Silva is a mother figure with a
huge influence in the industry. She is very influential to the extent
that when things turn upside down, they run to Mama J for advice. And
like a true mother, Joke Silva calmly proffers solution to issues
brought before her
Ibinabo Fiberesima: Another actress that is very influential
in Nollywood is Ibinabo Fiberesima. This ex-beauty queen is presently
the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). She is also the first
female to occupy that exalted seat. Doing anything in the industry
without informing her about it is like a foreign investor coming to
Nigeria to set up a refinery without first seeing the President and the
Petroleum Minister.
Ibinabo wields that kind of big influence in
Nollywood and she is mostly involved in matters that concern the
industry, especially actors, whose interest she is representing. Some
even believe that she has a full grip of Nollywood in her hands. Shortly
after she was sworn in as Chairman of AGN, many forces rose against her
in order to unseat her, but after spending a year in office, Ibinabo
has remained stronger than before. This goes to show the power Ibinabo
has in the industry, especially in the politics of AGN.
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is another powerful star in
Nollywood. Before she joined the list of most influential 100 persons in
the world according to TIME Magazine, Omosexy, as she is mostly called
by her teeming fans, was powerful in Nollywood. She gained power when
she became an international star after she was banned from acting in
Nigeria by some marketers.
Some of the marketers had thought
that the mother of four would go into oblivion when she was banned, but
she shook it off and proved the marketers wrong by clinching
international movie deals. Now, Omotola is carried along in the industry
when it comes to branding and using it to get favours from some
influential people in the society. She has given the industry a better
brand and value, which most stakeholders are very proud to be associated
with.
Stephanie Okereke-Linus:When issues relating to the
presidency are being sought, one of the first names that come to the
minds amongst the industry stakeholders is that of Stephanie
Okereke-Linus. She is regarded by some people as the best route to get
to the ‘father through the son’. Nobody in Nollywood ever jokes with
Stephanie. Doing so would be to such person’s detriment.
Genevieve Nnaji is another actress that has big influence in
the film industry in Nigeria. She is one of the top stars in the
continent and she was once described as the Julian Roberts of Africa.
Genny, as some of her fans prefer to call her, is an influential star in
Nollywood. Just like Stephanie, she also has influence in the
Presidency.
Recall that a purported fight broke out between her
and Stephanie in 2011 over Presidency related matters. Some people
started to reckon with her with respect. She went ahead, just like
Omotola, to make a statement that with or without Nollywood, she is a
hot cake in Africa. Her rumoured affair with a former vice-president
also contributed to the respect some stakeholders have for the single
mother of one.
Would this write up be complete and credible if the name of
Pete Edochie
is not mentioned in the list? Pete, apart from being a veteran and a
legend in the game, is an icon that has much influence in Nollywood. He
has transcended the fear and respect he commands in his movies into real
life.
Olu Jacobs is another influential and powerful star in
Nollywood. Just like his wife, Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs is a father figure
to many Nollywood stars, who run to him when there is storm in the
boat. His name also opens doors. The iconic role interpreter is also
well respected because he has worked very hard to build a good name for
himself. His name is never mentioned in controversial or dirty stories.
Olu Jacobs is even respected outside the industry.
Segun Arinze became more powerful and influential during his
reign as the President of AGN. Segun has also become politically strong
in AGN. When it comes to decision making that concerns the industry,
Segun is never found wanting. In fact, he is a key factor in happenings
in Nollywood. The veteran actor is not new in the industry. He has seen
it all having been in the game for a very long time.
Kanayo O Kanayo KOK, as he is fondly called, is another
influential and powerful star in the Nigerian film industry. Some people
refer him as a ‘one man Mopol’ because he could singlehandedly pull
weight without the backing of others. His link with the Presidency is
also working for him. Some months ago, he was one of those that dragged
President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos to have a dinner with the
stakeholders in the industry. Also recently, he grabbed an appointment
from Jonathan. Stepping on KOK’s legs is like stamping on the tail of a
cobra.
Richard Mofe Damijo is another very influential star in
Nollywood. Even though he is no more very active in the industry like
before, the present Commissioner in Delta State is still a big fish in
the movie industry in Nigeria. Whenever there is any problem, many still
run to him for help. He knows the right buttons to press to get what he
wants. His name alone can withdraw cash from the ‘bank’. His romance
with politics has given huge power to his brand.
Culled from First Weekly Magazine.
© 2013 moviextraa.blogspot.com
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