By Tobi Awodipe
The chief executive officer of Native Media, Rogers Ofime has said that the Nigerian film industry is still growing and lacks the necessary facilities that would enable stakeholders produce quality jobs. He noted that despite these shortcomings, the quality of content presently churned out of the country ranks among the best in the world, adding that Nollywood films are already gaining international recognition.
Describing himself as a thoroughbred producer and director, Ofime said he is not new in the entertainment industry and neither did he come into sector by mistake. According to him, he started appearing in the Nigerian movies at the age of six and had his tutelage under the late Sam Loco Efe, before going to the University for his first and second degrees in Theatre Arts.
Recounting his experience in the industry, the Tinsel, Hotel Majestic and The Johnsons stated that it has not been all sour stories. “It’s been fun producing films for over 15 years. I have learnt on the job, known how to do many things better, and having worked with NMET/African Magic I have even learnt more,” he said.
He added, “Our film industry is still growing, and we lack the necessary facilities that would enable us produce quality jobs. Despite these shortcomings, I’m very happy about the quality of content presently coming out of the country; Nollywood ranks among the best in the world, and our films are already gaining international recognition.”
With eyes on quality movies, Ofime established the Native Media six years ago to provide quality contents in terms of pictures, storyline, artistic originality and technical skills.
“If were we not doing a good job, MNET would not have commissioned us to produce Hotel Majestic, which was well received by critics and the general the viewing public and has racked up a lot of positive reviews as well as accolades since it began airing,” he stated.
Speaking on his new drama series, Till You Are 16, which was shot in Nigeria and Canada, Ofime said he wants to use the series to tell stories that pertain to Africans and issues they face on a daily basis; stories they can relate to because Africans living in Africa want to know about other Africans living abroad.
“The cast is a mix of Africans and Caucasians and this is to ensure that our Caucasian audience relates to it as well because the human struggle is the same irrespective of colour. We approached this story from a universal point of view and not just from the African point of view. Issues of female abuse, single parenthood, and teenage pregnancy cut across all humans,” he said.
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