Fast-rising filmmaker, actor, playwright, director and philanthropist, Ore-Ofe Williams, aka Awo Jesu, has urged the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to fix electricity and other social amenities as a lasting solution to all the problems bedeviling the entertainment industry in the nation.
Williams said with those social amenities fixed, many businesses would thrive in Nigeria and many business owners would worry less about inadequacies of government.
The filmmaker and actor, who holds a doctoral degree in Theatre and Media Arts, made the remarks while addressing journalists during a briefing to herald the April, 2023 edition of his talent hunt programme tagged: ‘Festival of Talents 2023’ scheduled to hold from April 6.
Speaking about the benefits of the programme, he said: “This is the only festival that brings together upcoming talents for mentorship and sponsorship. We sponsor musicians and give platforms to actors. We have funded music and video recordings as well as film productions. This is a place where talents connect across and outside Africa; and, of course, meet with established names who can provide mentorship for them.”
Noting that top Nollywood actors, such as Woli Agba, Yinka Quadri, Damola Olatunji, Yeye Toyin Adegbola, Bobo B and many others, would be hosted at the event, he said it was usually an exciting event that also features performance by singers and dancers.
Asked what challenges he faced as a practitioner in the Nigerian entertainment industry, he replied that: “l will speak about the Nigerian Film Industry as a whole. Government should not worry about us anymore. Let them just fix electricity.
“When electricity is fixed, producers spend less on production. In fact, it will affect the price of services. The hotel does not have to rely on petrol and diesel. Electricity has a way of affecting the economy. If this is fixed, a lot of businesses, including filming, will survive.”
He also reflected on the development of film making in the country, adding that self-development was key to success.
“Back to gospel films, it is obvious that things are changing and quite a lot of stakeholders are now more exposed. Gone are the days when they pick any camera and film. Also, the perspectives towards casting are changing. When I did “Awo Jesu,” so many from the gospel sub-sector stood against it. Today, I have seen many new generational filmmakers employ those actors.
“Education has a lot to add. Some of us didn’t stay where we were. We have, by God’s grace, got more degrees, including the PhD,” he said.
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