EP: How do you choose your targeted audience and give them what they want?
Ans: I think there are several factors to it, right from when I started I look at the environment, I look at what the audience want I look at relevant issues to the society. Most of the time I look at topical issues that are relevant to the society, my films ‘king of money, Dr Ben, Blood brothers e.t.c. most of time I look at the challenge we are facing because it is a medium through which one can pass a message faster to the society just like we now the power of social media where you can just post even not the dramatic ones but reality ones. When we do films we must consider what the society wants like the issue of morals which is lacking, and our culture
EP: Sir, in terms of humility you don’t see your self as a superstar or looking for publicity,why?
Ans: For me it is your work that comes before you. Your work supercede you, your work should go before you. I came from a very humble background when I came to into this industry I work through the ranks , so when I saw any young man in the industry my prayer for them is to be greater than me, my humility is in born there is noting to be proud of.
EP: what are you involved in presently?
Ans: You know I have been involved in this industry since 1990 and I have got to a stage where I have to encourage the younger film makers because I know what I went through when I see young film makers who are facing this challenges especially funding so in the last four years have done that even collaborations with them and looking at where we can work together.
EP: What is your impression of nollywood?
Ans: With Chief Hubert Ogunde, Eddie Ugboma, Dr. Ola Balogun and others we who were lucky to be born then we know that nollywood has grown both locally and internationally I think there is hope for the industry. You see much younger people now who have gone to the university in the industry even the cut-off marks for Theatre Arts is high now because everybody wants to study theatre arts our films are doing well even winning awards both local and foreign awards . it has moved from what the Yoruba’s called ALARINJO.
EP: Can you elaborate on the ABUJA FILM FESTIVAL?
Ans: The Abuja film festival is not new this is our fourteen years, it was a pace setter for all this awards that are been given in the entertainment industry before then there was no independent awards but we are happy we have done it for fourteen years. Last year we screened over 200 films where RMD, Segun Arinze, Patrick Doyle were resource persons
We made bold to say that its ABUJA FILM FESTIVAL that gave birth to all the awards we have now.
EP: How do you maintain the integrity of the festival especially from outside influences?
Ans: The beauty of it is that the ABUJA FILM FESTIVAL is independently run devoid of government support it is private sector funded, it is our own way of contributing to the sector, the government is to provide an enabling environment for film makers to converge and network, it is a platform where we discussed ways of moving the industry forward.
EP: In five years time where do you see yourself career wise?
EP: In five years time where do you see yourself career wise?
Ans: Yes I want to build new talent in building new talents not recycled ones and I want in 5years time to say in every year I should be able to impact on 50, 30,20 people in different sectors, success is a product of faith.
EP: Finally what is your message to your fans?
Ans: They should have as their core value humility, they should dedicate their time and work hard then success is assured.
