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| Amobi |
In
this encounter with SHOWBIZPLUSng, emerging Igbo filmmaker and passionate Igbo
culture advocate/promoter, Chidi Ikenna Amobi, tells us reasons he cannot stop
promoting and producing films in his mother tongue.
Background
My
name is Chidi Ikenna Amobi, I was born in the royal family of Ogidi in Idemili
North Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am 32 years old. I am
married to Mrs. Ogechukwu Chinenye Amobi. We are blessed with two
boys, Chidi and Munachimso.
I spent most of my growing years in my hometown, Ogidi where I had my secondary education at Boys Secondary School Ogidi and Primary education at Community central school iyi enu Ogidi.
I spent most of my growing years in my hometown, Ogidi where I had my secondary education at Boys Secondary School Ogidi and Primary education at Community central school iyi enu Ogidi.
Early beginning
When I was six years old, I have always seen myself becoming an author
and a broadcaster. Growing up, seeing the whole thing coming to reality though
not really as a broadcaster again but as an actor makes me happy.
Apart from being an actor, scriptwriter and a producer, I am also an author and a publisher. It gives joy to create, bringing what has not been existing into existence.
Apart from being an actor, scriptwriter and a producer, I am also an author and a publisher. It gives joy to create, bringing what has not been existing into existence.
It
is not really easy but I thank God who has been making it possible and to Him
alone shall all the glory be.
I
currently the MD/CEO of Igbo Amaka Productions and joined the Nigerian movie
industry known as Nollywood in the year 1999, that was in my SS2 class.
In
2002, I started working as one of the crew members with the assistance
of a Nollywood director, Chimdi Chiama. I worked as a production assistant
for five years and six months. I also worked as the production coordinator,
continuity, production manager etc. I finally started producing movies in 2011.
Love for Igbo movies
The
first Igbo movie I produced was Gini bu aha gi? This was directed
by Emmanuel Michaels. (De senator). The aforementioned movie is a story of an
Igbo man who was born in the city, was not allowed to visit his own land for
some reasons. Gabriel Nelson travelled to the city against his father’s wish. A
lot happened.
Igbo Amaka Productions was registered with the Corporate Affairs
Commission and has not less than ten Igbo films to its credit now. They include,
Gini bu aha gi? , Onubogu, Onyedika Nwa M, Ebube na Obidike among others.
And we are still producing.
Igbo Amaka Productions encourages greenhorn artistes who are of Igbo
origin by constantly making movies with them thereby promoting not only our
culture but also our own artistes. Our artistes are thoroughly tutored by me
and my colleagues towards ensuring a better production at the end of the day.
We are giving opportunity to all of them, to be whom they want to be in the
entertainment industry.
Challenges
Honestly, it’s damn challenging bringing and
nurturing the greenhorn artistes towards making the movies in our own dialect.
Regrettably, most of the young ones do not know how to speak the Igbo language
and they are being forced to learn it so that we can shoot our films. We take a
lot of time to teach them, correct them on the use of the language. We take a
lot of time to rehearse but at the end of the day, you see wonderful films.
They learn easily. We are proud to present to the world the new set of film
makers in the Igbo genre and also presenting uncountable Igbo films in the
market.
Advice
We
are calling on the well meaningful Igbo people both at home and in Diaspora to
assist us in the production/circulation of Igbo movies. Thanks to His
Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, a great lover of entertainment and other
people like Mr. Godwin Ezeemo (Achinagbalu ora) , who has done a lot in
assisting and encouraging young producers towards promoting the production of
Igbo movies. Prof. Pita Ejiofor who has also done alot in the promotion of Igbo
culture. I am not forgetting people like Azuh Amatus who has been a mouthpiece
for the Igbos in the media. Bob Manuel Udokwu, a senior colleague and senior
special adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Entertainment issues is
also doing a great job on the cause and a lot of others. We need other people
to come in, this is our own challenge, let us all take it together. Learn to
appreciate our products, our films despite whatever challenges you might see in
them. Appreciate us and stop condemning us for the ones we have done so that we
can do better tomorrow. Our films have our stories, our people, our language,
our tourism sites, our costumes etc, and those films represent us all over the
globe.
Hobbies
I like reading books, listening to people talk, researching and meeting
great Igbo citizens.
08037522761, 08164947678
3 comments:
Chidi Ikenna Amobi MD/CEO of Igbo Amaka Productions should be congratulated in his efforts to promote Igbo language, which has been listed by some as one of the dying languages. The young people of this era are the feature of Nigeria and they should be encouraged when they undertake beneficial and selfless acts for the common good. I pray that you support the efforts of Igbo Amaka Productions under the able leadership of Chidi Ikenna Amobi.
Thank you Professor Dike, Thanks a million.
You are doing a great Job, keep it up...hope to feature in one of your movies soon...
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