At Kunle Afolayan book launch ,Auteuring Nollywood‎.

 

Thursday,27^th July 2014,the Muson Centre, Onikan witnessed  the presence of celebrities from different walks of life who came to celebrate with Ace Cinematographer, Movie director and Actor Kunle Afolayan who had a book presentation Auteuring Nollywood ;Critical perspective on the Figurine.

Present at the event were Honourable speaker House of Representatives Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi who was the Chairman of the day, Mr Tunde Ayeni who represented the DG of National Broadcasting Commission, Kwara state Governor represented by Chief Deji Oni ,Osun State Governor represented by Dr Ipaye, the Reviewer Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya who is the Director of Nollywood study Centre, Pan African University and host of others.

From the Entertainment sector Popular Cinematographer , Tunde Kelani, Yinka Akanbi, Tunji Sotimirin, Alli Baba, Julius Agwu, Peace Ayim Osigwe, Yomi Fash Lanso, Gabriel Afolayan, Kenny Saint Brown, Kabira Kafidipe, Ara,Adeola Ojo, Teju Baby face, Gbenga Adeyinka, Comedian  Princess et al.

The event was anchored by Gbenga Adeyinka the first, it started with a brief presentation made by Comedian, Teju Oyelakin popularly known as Teju Babyface, who welcomed all guest present. The chairman of the day,Chief Gbadamosi in his speech while addressing the audience said “my first encounter with Nollywood was “the usual Babalawo theme” until I saw October 1^st,i could not believe the maturity I saw, the movie will go places”. The thriller of Kunle’s due to be released movie, October 1^st was shown and Kunle’s Biography followed suit with the Movie Figurine narrated. The reviewer described the package of the book as nicely done, in his speech he added that  writer, Ngugi wa Thiongo described Kunle as an excellent actor. The unveiling of the book was done and various donations were made towards the launch of the book.

People’s Reaction

The king of Comedy, Alli baba spoke about the low turnout of Nollywood thespians present at the gathering. In his speech, he said “If it were to be a party Kunle was celebrating today, this place will be filled, i know lot of his colleague who will be happy to drink along with him but when it comes to matter like this, you won’t see them. Lot of people here will be disappointed that here today with what i am saying but in their mind they know it’s the truth. Nollywood should grow from showing movies that doesn’t add value to us”

The African Movie Academy Awards(AMAA)Boss, Ayim Peace Osigwe spoke on Kunle’s achievement, the challenges he faced during the shot of his last movie, about his movie Irapada which brought international recognition to the movie industry. I have seen Kunle’s film, I have seen him producing movies that are great, was a disappointed when his movie October 1^st could not be completed before (Amaa) this year because I want the movie to compete among other films.

From the Editor        

Am grateful to everyone who made it out here today, i dint know the book will go this far, just wanted something that will constitute a good start for Nollywood, thanks to Kunle for being convinced.

In an interview with Speaker, Lagos state House Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji

What is your position about the reading culture in Nigeria?

There is hardly any field in life that you will talk about becoming great that you won’t read, you don’t grow when you don’t read no matter what you call yourself ,through reading the mind get developed. We know we have lost the reading culture over time, Nigerian have thrown away the culture of reading, our children don’t read.

You watch Nollywood, what are your thoughts for Nollywood?

To be honest, am not a critique of Nollywood, we have two categories of Nollywood, we have the serious mind and the regularize people. The regular ones have polluted the mind of the public we have today and it is that unserious sector that is dominating. I do pray that the reverse should be the case in a short period of time. The only reason why am here is because I see the seriousness Kunle attached to his works.

What is the assembly doing towards reviving the reading culture in Nigeria?

I really cannot start reading that out now but we encourage schools. I have programmes that we do in our constituency that encourage the culture of reading in schools.

Kunle Afolayan.

What can you say about the overall turn out of the event?

It is more than I expected, grateful to people who make out time to be here.

What prompted you towards doing this?

The idea was my brothers’ and because it is good, I promise working on it. I have made a promise I will continue to make good films with or without the good standard of Nollywood. It is an avenue to students who have asked questions severally about the movie Figurine because they used it as their thesis in school, now whatever that has to be known or asked me about is in the book.

Julius Agwu

Kunle Afolayan will go places; this is the beginning of his career.

Koffi

Nollywood should make improvement towards a better movie production.