Less Emphasis On Juju, Voodoo, Femi Adesina Urges Nollywood Filmmakers

 

Femi Adesina

By AZUH AMATUS

Presidential spokesman and voice of the nation, Chief Femi Adesina, in this exclusive interview with publisher of leading online newspaper, DAYLIGHT, Azuh Amatus, spoke passionately about Nollywood and how its practitioners can compete favourably with their counterparts globally.

The revered journalist and former two-time president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), in this breezy chat also advised Nollywood filmmakers to pay less emphasis on juju and voodoo in their productions.

“That’s not what defines Nigeria or Africa”, the father of two maintains.

Amiable Adesina who spoke passionately on other germane issues within the industry, further called on Yoruba and other local languages film producers to improve on their English sub-titling efforts.

“We see some scandalous ones out there,” stated the former editor-in-chief and managing director of The Sun newspapers, who shared his thoughts with DAYLIGHT, from Paris, France.

Enjoy the encounter!

Are you a fan of Nollywood?

I am a literary arts person, so I’ll say I follow Nollywood to a very large extent.

 

How often do you squeeze out time from your very busy schedules to watch Nollywood movies?

 

As much as I can. There are three things I follow passionately: News, which I should, as a journalist and media adviser to a President, football, which takes a large chunk of my weekends, and then, films. Of course, Nollywood is a good part of that.

 

Do you have a favourite Nollywood actor?

 

Many. We have lots of great actors in Nigeria, I know a good number of them, and I may not want to mention my favourite. But of course, there are some I see on screen, and I sit down to watch by merely sighting them.

 

Do you also have a favourite Nollywood actress?

 

Yes. And I choose to keep it close to my chest.

 

In what areas do you think Nollywood filmmakers can further improve on their creative works?

 

I’ll just say less emphasis on juju and voodoo. That’s not what defines Nigeria or Africa. And for the Yoruba or other local languages producers, they should improve on the English sub-titles. We see some scandalous ones out there.

 

Do you think the PMB administration has done enough to support the creative industry, especially Nollywood?

 

There is no single administration that does everything that needs to be done in a country. That is why government is a continuum. You do your best, and another administration continues.

But specifically on your question, look at what is happening with the National Theatre today, and tell me whether such attention had been given to the creative industry in this country before. The Buhari administration will leave its footprints in the sands of time in that respect.

 

And lastly, is there anything you hate or don’t like about Nollywood and its practitioners?

 

Hate is a strong word. I never hate, it is too strong a passion for me. But something I don’t like? Nothing is perfect, not under the sun. I’ll just urge Nollywood practitioners to continuously upgrade their acts, and compete with the best in the world.