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Tag: Eddie Ugbomah

  • Remembering Eddie

    WHEN the Executive Director of National Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Adedayo Thomas assumed office two years ago, the first filmmaker he paid courtesy visit was the late Eddie Ugbomah. And when the deceased was sick and needed urgent medical attention, Thomas moved him to the hospital where he breathed his last.

    Here was how their first meeting went:

    Newly appointed then, the Executive Director of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Adedayo Thomas got a hint of the complications that exist in the film sector, when the late veteran filmmaker, Chief Eddie Ugbomah described his position as a hot seat.

    This may not be too surprising to Thomas, who noted that he met a debt of N317 million upon assuming office.

    “I don’t know whether if I use these words, you won’t feel bad, but I’ll still say it: ‘welcome to hell’,” said a usually frank Ugbomah.

    “But from what I know about him (Thomas), being a grandson of my university; because I have taught the lecturers who taught him, and he is still my student. I will say I am very proud that he got appointed,” he added.

    As part of his personal visitation itinerary to stakeholders in the film industry, the then new NFVCB chief made the first stop at the Ilogbo-Eremi country home of the filmmaker, located along Badagry Express Way, saying that it feels more responsible of him to visit the stakeholders individually and collectively, rather than wait for them to pay him the usual courtesy visit when a new government appointee assumes office.

    “This is my first week in office, and I think that, based on what I met on ground which need serious and urgent attention, there is need to meet with stakeholders.

    “Without the stakeholders, there is nothing like the National Film and Video Censors Board. In putting down the names of individuals, associations and personalities – except we want to deceive ourselves – in the film industry, I don’t think history can be written without mentioning our father, Chief Eddie Ugbomah. That is why my first courtesy visit to stakeholders is starting with Chief Ugbomah; to beg them and bring them back on board.”

    An elated Ugbomah expressed optimism about the new turn of events, saying, “I believe we have a future because he is coming to meet a dead-end of a place. He needs a lot of home work. I have given him some advices; the good, the bad and the ugly about the industry and I am happy he said ‘let me go and think about all these things you’ve said.”

    On the areas he would want the new ED to give priority, Ugbomah said:

    ““It’s a wide area, but if he can salvage the industry by making sure that people make films and censor them, that way, the films are controlled. The next that we don’t have, which is in his own department is distribution.  If you make a good film and it’s not well distributed and nobody is watching it, then it’s zero. Those are the two areas he should aim first: the control of the industry and the distribution. He also needs to protect our market by cutting down on the pollution in our air. They call it cable. Before Aljazeera entered into America, they had to buy an American TV station before they allowed them. But these people come to our soil and do as they like. They beat us over there and beat us here. So those are the two levels first; the protection and the distribution.”

    For the NFVCB boss, “moving the film industry forward is like moving the country forward, and that this can only be reflected in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the creative sector,” he said. “If we look at it, apart from oil, we are known all over the world for our films. But have we been able to tap from it adequately? Has it improved our revenue significantly? We must be able to translate the GDP into substantial revenue for the nation.

    We have culture, we have talents, and paying homage is part of the things I have designed for the industry to move forward. By the time I do that around the South-West, I’ll go back to Abuja again, and visit another zone and pay homage; seek advices and directions, so that we can all be on the same path to prosperity as defined by the president of the country; President Muhammadu Buhari.”

  • Eddie Ugbomah (1940 – 2019)

    •A versatile filmmaker and producer departs

    A celebration of his retirement, planned for April, was overtaken by events. His autobiography, titled Eddie by Eddie Ugbomah, and a documentary on him, titled This is my Life, were to be unveiled to mark the occasion. It was to be a celebration of Eddie Ugbomah’s pioneering role in the Nigerian film industry, popularly called Nollywood. He was a trailblazing veteran.

    Before Ugbomah died in a Lagos hospital on May 11, aged 78, he had hoped to raise money for his treatment abroad. “We’re looking to raise N50m for my own intellectual property, not that I’m begging anybody cap in hand. I have something to make my money,” he had said in an interview.

    “All I need is everybody to support by buying the book, by coming to launch the documentary, by going to cinema houses to watch the films because they’re classics – Black President and Desert Warrior and Black Gold. They’re all made in celluloid. I’ve taken them to America. They just came back this week in HD and DVD. Then, the documentary has been shot; it’s going through editing now. The book is already written and going through compilation to print.”

    Such was his self-belief and self-worth. Ugbomah was a passionate filmmaker who took pride in his work. His first film, made in the 1970s, was The Rise and Fall of Oyenusi, based on the life story of a notorious armed robber. Ugbomah played the role of Ishola Oyenusi, who terrorised Lagos in the early 1970s. Ugbomah’s second film, The Mask, released in 1979, focused on the looting of Africa’s artefacts by European colonisers and the campaign to bring the cultural treasures back to the continent. Ugbomah played the protagonist who tries to steal the Benin ivory mask from the British Museum and return it to Nigeria.

    His roles in these films showed his acting talent, just as the thematic concerns of the films showed his social consciousness as a director and producer. Credited with 13 films, some of which were inspired by real-life events, Ugbomah showed the power of film as a change agent.

    Ugbomah’s filmic career, which spanned two decades up till the 1990s, produced, among others,  Oil Doom (1980), The Boy is Good (1982), Vengeance of the Cult (1984), Death of a Black President (1984) , The Great Attempt (1988)  and America or Die (1996). He was later involved in Yoruba video films, which reflected his versatility.

    The filmmaker was quoted as saying he got interested in filmmaking at 17 when Charlton Heston, a popular American actor, visited Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos. A native of present-day Delta State, Ugbomah grew up in Lagos. He travelled to London after his secondary education, and studied journalism, drama and film. He had a stint at BBC and was a member of an Afro-Caribbean drama group. He formed a film production company, Edifosa, after he returned to Nigeria in 1975. Two years later, he released his first film.

    His works, “which cut across history, performance, music, and biographies, among others,” he said, “would be of immense use to students in the Departments of Theatre Arts, English Language, Filmmaking, Creative Arts, History and also, for anyone that wants to know the Nigerian story.”  He added: “As a resource person in one of the Nigerian universities, I asked a final year student what was ‘cutaway,’ and he could not explain it. I did not blame him anyway because many Nigerian universities do not have libraries or galleries students could go to. So, my works would be of help to these students.” His words indicated the strength of his legacy.

    Ugbomah was appointed chairman of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) in 1988, which was an acknowledgement of his filmic experience. His Nigerian national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), was further testimony to his outstanding cinematic contribution to the Nigerian narrative.

  • Buhari mourns veteran filmmaker, Eddie Ugbomah

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the late veteran filmmaker, Chief Eddie Ugbomah as not only a gifted story teller but a social commentator and activist.

    Buhari who joined the entertainment industry, particularly movie makers, in mourning the passage of Ugbomah, who died at 78 noted that the late veteran filmmaker has left behind an indelible mark.

    The president according to a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, also condoled with the family.

    The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari joins the entertainment industry, particularly movie makers, in mourning the passage of veteran filmmaker, Chief Eddie Ugbomah, who died at 78.

    “President Buhari condoles with family, friends and associates of the ace actor, director and producer whose contribution to the development of Nigeria’s film industry remains indelible, starting out early with studies and training in London, before returning in the 70’s to promote drama and movies.

    Read Also: Senator advises Buhari on new cabinet

    “The President believes Chief Ugbomah was not only a gifted story teller but a social commentator and activist, as the themes of his stage and tube presentations explored narratives that directly impacted on many lives and advocated better government policies and programmes.

    President Buhari affirms that the departed, who served as Chairman of Nigeria Film Corporation, understood film as a veritable tool for communication, and used it positively for national development.”

    He also prayed “that God will grant Ugbomah’s soul eternal rest and comfort his family”.

     

  • Two days before surgery, veteran film maker Eddie Ugbomah dies at 78

    Veteran filmmaker, Chief Eddie Ugbomah has died at the age of 78.

    He died on Saturday afternoon in a Lagos hospital following a protracted illness, two days before he was scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday.

    While the actual illness was undisclosed, Ugbomah had said it had to do with the nerves, his ears and brain.

    His death was announced by Shaibu Hussein, a member of a committee set up to raise funs for his treatment.

    “I have the permission of the Chair of the Chief Eddie Ugbomah Medical Fund Committee Alhaji Adedayo Thomas (DG, NFVCB) to break the news of the passage into eternity of the Veteran Filmmaker Chief Eddie Ugbomah, OON,” wrote Hussein on Facebook on Saturday afternoon.

    “The veteran filmmaker died an hour ago at the hospital where he was scheduled to undergo a surgery on Monday. Sad..but we totally submit to the Almighty.”

    Several persons in the Nollywood community have expressed their condolences.

    Peace Anyiam-Osigwe condoled with Hussein and Paul Obazele, former president of Association of Movie Producers, AMP.

    “May the CHI bless all of you who came to his aid at this time and May his family and friends find the fortitude to bear the loss,” she wrote.

    Keith Shiri, a programmer at the London Film Festival and collaborator of the Tarifa-Tangier African Film Festival (FCAT) also expressed his condolences.

    “Very sad to hear the Chief’s passing,” he wrote.

    Read Also: Filmmaker Eddie Ugbomah urges govt., stakeholders to keep Halls of Fame alive

    “I was honoured to have been introduced to him by the late South African filmmaker Lionel Ngakane in Fespaco in the late 80’s. He was of a generation of filmmakers that paved a way for African Cinema. Let’s celebrate his life and May his work be preserved for future generations. Go well Chief.”

    Filmmaker and promoter Mykel Parish Ajaere wrote: “Sad news. Lord lead him through a smooth journey home.”

    In an interview with The Nation in November 2018, Ugbomah had appealed to Nigerians to come to his aid financially as he was ill and needed N50m to treat himself.

    He however said he was not begging but needed them to patronise his works.

    Ugbomah had said he was wrongly misdiagnosed and treated for malaria and typhoid by doctors at five different hospitals before doctors at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos diagnosed what was wrong with him.

    “It was something to do with my ears and my brain,” he had said in the interview.

    “We’re looking to raising N50m for my own intellectual property, not that I’m begging anybody cap in hand. I have something to make my money,” he had said.

    “All I need is everybody to support by buying the book, by coming to launch the documentary, by going to cinema houses to watch the films because they’re classics – ‘Black President’ and Desert ‘Warrior’ and ‘Black Gold.’ They’re all made in celluloid. I’ve taken them to America. They just came back this week in HD and DVD. Then, the documentary has been shot, it’s going through the editing now. The book is already written and going through compilation to print.”

    Ugbomah also said his autobiography, titled ‘Eddie by Eddie Ugbomah’ and a documentary on his his birth and life, titled ‘This Is My Life’, would also be unveiled in a festival scheduled to hold from April 20 to 25, 2019 to mark his retirement

    Under the strain of finance, he had to depend on well-meaning Nigerians like Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Chidia Maduekwe, Wale Adenuga and others for their voluntary financial gifts.

    The Delta State indigene whose other works include ‘Rise and Fall of Oyenusi,’ ‘Oil Doom,’ ‘The Boy is Good,’ ‘Death of the Black President’ and ‘Apalara’ lamented that government had not come to his aid in his trying time.

     

  • EDDIE UGBOMAH: WHY VETERAN FILMMAKER IS SEEKING N50M

    …Says: ‘I don’t want to beg to foot hospital bill’

    Call him one of the doyens of Nigerian films and you won’t be wrong. But currently, illness has made Eddie Ugbomah cry out – not for pity or pittance from Nigerians but for his works to be patronised, writes JOE AGBRO JR.

    Then news of the ill-health of one of the pioneers of music and movie productions in Nigeria, Eddie Ugbomah, floated around in September, many must have taken it with a pinch of salt.

    But the notable entertainer has come out to say he is really ill and needs N50m to treat himself. However, he said he is not ready to beg anyone but would appreciate people to patronise his intellectual property.

    “I’ve been ill for the past weeks,” said Ugbomah in feeble voice, as he spoke to The Nation on telephone.

    “And I need to be able to travel abroad to treat myself.”

    “Now, it has become an unfortunate attitude that when artistes are sick, they go cap in hand begging for assistance. But I don’t want to go cap in hand to beg anybody to go abroad for my treatment. I’ll be 78 very soon so, I want to celebrate my 78th birthday. I want to retire from entertainment.

    “I want people to support me by buying my autobiography. I’m going to launch my autobiography. I’m going to launch my documentary. I’m going to show two or three of my classic films – Black President, Black Gold, Desert Warrior. Then it will end up with exhibition of the music and movie makers hall of fame. And finally, a musical and comedy concert.”

    All this, according to the veteran filmmaker, is towards N50million hospital bill.

    “We’re looking to raising N50m for my own intellectual property, not that I’m begging anybody cap in hand. I have something to make my money. All I need is everybody to support by buying the book, by coming to launch the documentary, by going to cinema houses to watch the films because they’re classics – Black President and Desert Warrior and Black Gold. They’re all made in celluloid. I’ve taken them to America. They just came back this week in HD and DVD. Then, the documentary has been shot, it’s going through the editing now. The book is already written and going through compilation to print,” he said.

    The autobiography which he said will be reviewed by Saint Obi and Prince Tony Momoh  is titled ‘Eddie by Eddie Ugbomah’ while the documentary which details his birth and life is titled ‘This Is My Life’, said Ugbomah, who will celebrate his 78th birthday in December. The show which is slated to run as the filmmaker’s retirement festival is however, scheduled to hold from April 20 to 25, 2019.

    “The doctors in LUTH said they can still sustain me till then,” Ugbomah, who wouldn’t disclose the nature of his illness however said “it is not cancer. It is not diabetes. It is not prostate cancer. It is something to do with the nerves.”

    Ugbomah said he was wrongly misdiagnosed and treated for malaria and typhoid by doctors at five different hospitals before doctors at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos diagnosed what was wrong with him.

    “Rather, it was something to do with my ears and my brain. It was a young doctor who went and did research. It was since then that I can afford to talk, afford to walk straight.”

    He is however grateful for the prayers and encouragements he’s been receiving from people.

    But for now, he says the sum of N50m is what he would need to treat himself abroad. He also said he spends N8,000 weekly for medicines. He understands the financial strain which the illness places on him but he is adamant that raising money from his works is better than being seen as ‘begging’ for sustenance. He thanked the trio of Chidi Maduekwe, Adedayo Thomas, Wale Adenuga and others for their voluntary financial gifts.

    He however feels abandoned by many in Nollywood for not coming to his assistance.

    “Out of over 50, 000 Nollywood people in Nigeria, only 12 sent me money which I didn’t beg for, but which I thank God for,” he said.

    “I’m very grateful to them. Nobody appealed for money for me. I’ve told them, don’t appeal. I’m not a poor man.”

    However, the Delta State indigene lamented that government too has not come to his aid despite reaching out to them.

    “If you write a letter to the governor of Delta, he may not get it,” he said.

    He is also expecting the governor of Lagos state to some of the correspondences sent out.

    He is also appealing to media houses and media owners like John Momoh, Nduka Obiagbena, Ben Bruce, Orji Uzor Kalu and Sam Amuka to help publicise his forthcoming projects.

  • Filmmaker Eddie Ugbomah urges govt., stakeholders to keep Halls of Fame alive

    Filmmaker Eddie Ugbomah urges govt., stakeholders to keep Halls of Fame alive

    •As event holds August 25

    Veteran filmmaker and Nollywood connoisseur, Eddie Ugbomah, has decried the failing state the nation’s movie archives.

    In a statement, the filmmaker also questioned a situation where veterans in the Nigerian movie scene are not given the honour they deserve.

    Ugbomah, who mooted the idea of a hall in 2004 and held its first Induction of 2006 without any form of support, revealed that he is not daunted by the lack of response by stakeholders.

    “We have tried for the past three months; we have couriered several letters to some contributors into the entertainment that are now Senators, Ex- Governors, Ex- Presidents and oil Tycoon yet no acknowledgement. We are appealing to them to respond to our letters by attending the induction night on the 25th August 07 at National Theatre Igamu Lagos,” he stated.

    Ugbomah described as painful the fact that that majority of the parasatals have made promises of moral and financial support but up to date the usual recession excuse have not allowed them to keep their promises.

    “Most people don’t know that Wole Soyinka made two 35mm movies, Late M.K Abiola and Jab Adu produced one of the greatest Nigerian movie, Bisi Daughter Of The River and it is so sad and unfortunate that PHCN made me lose over 800 million naira of my celluloid films, yet I am still single handedly supporting the survival of the Halls of fame,” he further lamented.

    He therefore called on the powers that be to acquire his Galleries to save Nigeria the embarrassment of his plan to sell it to UNESCO, FORD foundation, the former owner of CNN or Microsoft Computer owners.

    “I will not watch history die as all the above names living or dead Artiste have served this Nation. We are expecting any of the multinationals to please come to salvage and keep the Halls of Fame alive so that our children can have a place to learn about the past Professionals,” he stated.

     

  • Hope NTA and friends will give him a befitting burial – Eddie Ugbomah

    Hope NTA and friends will give him a befitting burial – Eddie Ugbomah

    One of the pioneers of Nigerian film industry, Chief Eddie Ugbomah, while praising JAB Adu’s contribution to the Nigerian film industry, urged the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to consider giving the late filmmaker a befitting burial. He said JAB Adu “was one of the greatest producers and directors in Nigeria but I thank God that he reached a good age before he died. And I hope NTA and his friends will give him a befitting burial because that one minute news which they read in NTA was very poor for someone like him.

    “We should learn to appreciate our people. The man lived a good life. He loved the industry. He lived it and died in it. Unlike me, at 75, I’m still a producer, director, actor and an activist. He has nothing to regret about. He’s smiling wherever he is. He didn’t die in penury.”