Andrien Gbinigie: the new force behind Nollywood and MORGON

Pic-Andrien Gbinigie

Mr.Andrien Ekhator Gbinigie’s foray into the risky world of movie making is a stuff of fable and fiction. In fact, he is a very daring and adventurous investor who believes you must be prepared to win all the time and not some of the time.
You can also call him a mountain climber, just like the Tibetian Monk, who believes you must surmount all obstacles, in order to get to the top.
He started studying and developing huge interest in Nollywood between 2005 and 2006, but moved in heavily and fully in 2007 with the help and advice of his partner, Teco Benson.
Moreover, he has always had a strong passion for the Arts. This evidently manifested in September 2007, when his company, Atlantic Overseas sponsored two big budget Nollywood movies entitled MIRROR OF BEAUTY AND MISSION TO NOWHERE in partnership with Teco Benson’s led TFP Global Network Production.
Both blockbusters shot on 35mm,were released and screened globally at Seven Odeon and Cineworld cinemas in the UK and Ireland respectively in 2007.
These star studded movies did not only raise the benchmark for Nollywood flicks, but also made waves and were also huge successes in the UK and Ireland with pundits and movie buffs still applauding their unprecedented heights.
Interestingly too, the Hollywood standard of billboards and bus-stops panels that showcased all the Nollywood stars that thrilled in these pacesetting and historic movies, made Nigerians WALK TALL in the UK.
Despite all these laudable achievements however, amiable and ever smiling Gbinigie, a proud and hard working son of Edo State, South-south, Nigeria, has refused to disclose the total amount spent on both movies. But insiders are of the view that the cost of each, can comfortably produce 10 home videos released on VCD. Can you beat that?
Just like the old Roman soldier, Gbinigie’s Atlantic Overseas Company has continued to march on and on. It recently commenced the building of the biggest and unarguably, the first of its kind Film Village in Africa, near Benin, Edo State. The virgin forest that Gbinigie is quietly and gradually breathing life into conveniently sits on 1.4 hectares of land.
It would definitely make the shooting of Traditional Epic movies easier and more authentic.
With all sense of humility, this gigantic project has gulped a sizeable chunk of his hard earned resources. Upon completion (work is currently on) it would boast of a 4 star luxury hotel, a Hollywood styled studio alongside a huge virgin preserved forest in which, history can be re-created and re- built to look like the days of our fore fathers. Isn’t that wonderful and beautiful?
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest investors in the fast growing Nigerian motion picture industry, globally known as Nollywood, Gbinigie, a philanthropist extraordinaire, has also built and donated roads to the host community where the film village is situated.
This project, which is bringing rapid development to the host community, has also been blessed and endorsed by the Oba of Benin.
Meanwhile, on the home front, Gbinigie who loves to laugh a lot and enjoys good jokes is happily married to Dr. (Mrs.) Sola Gbinigie and together they are blessed with three lovely children.
A quiet achiever, Gbinigie is a graduate of Business Administration and later trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1982 with the foremost and revered English firm of Deloitte, Haskins and sells.
He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, member of the Institute of Directors and a Honoured Member of the International WHO IS WHO of Professionals.
He began his professional career as a management accountant with Nestle Foods and left after a two-year stint. He later moved to African Petroleum and distinguished himself as an accountant of repute for six years, before rising to the position of a Treasurer, a post he held for ten years, to the admiration and commendations of his employers.
Having gathered enough experience, he voluntarily resigned to set up AEG, an international consulting firm in 2000 together with Atlantic Overseas Company with offices in London and Lagos.
A seasoned and well-traveled consultant of repute and high integrity Gbinigie, is also a private professional accountant and loves lawn tennis and soccer passionately.
He also loves good and vintage cuisines, served in exclusive restaurants in the South of France and Paris and enjoys choice champagnes too, especially when they are available.
Above all, the soft spoken and fun-loving gentleman is blessed and endowed with the mind of a DEEP THINKER. He is constantly developing ideas, even as late as 2am.
Gbinigie, a firm believer in the constant development of human capital, is also a very meticulous and organized professional.
Dealing with him on any matter (business or social) means that you must always be “on your toes” every time, so that you don’t get reminded by the ‘boss’ every time (who you ought to be reminding).
Again, his large heart and soft spot for the widows and orphans is unequalled. Gbinigie has a special passion for them and has also taken to heart (and pocket), their responsibilities and burdens.
In fact, he has refused to disclose the extent of his immense financial support, which spans over 25 years, to widows and yearly scholarships to their children.
He is of the view that the details are best left between him and the Almighty.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I hereby present to you all, the man of the moment, a truly quiet and silent achiever, passionate friend of Nollywood and the arts, please join me in presenting the one and only Life Patron of the Movie Reporters Guild of Nigeria- MORGON, Mr. Andrien Ekhator Gbinigie, FCA, to the entire world.