In the past years, a lot of changes have occurred in the movie industry. Of course, change is a constant thing that happens everywhere but there are some of these changes that have caused a lot of problems and troubles.
In the movie industry, we can’t deny the fact that it has improved in many ways, we are continuously evolving, adapting and keeping up with times but there are some of the changes that have negatively affected the growth of the industry. Some of the issues the industry has to contend with are the war among veterans, movie producers and Marketers. The way they divided themselves, not all of them belong to the umbrella Association such as TAMPAN and others.
It is true that Nollywood has all manner of guilds, but these are all based on sentiments.
We also have “Lack of Quality control”. The lawless nature of the film making business in Nigeria is the reason for some low-quality movies that some actors produce. Although, not all of them produce low-quality movies but some do. This has resulted in a loss of confidence by a lot of people or fans as most of them now prefer to watch Hollywood movies or even. Bollywood movies to that of Nollywood. We guess we are right to say that a Nollywood body should be put up on standards to review movies to be distributed to the public.
On Friday, 29th November 2019, a popular actress Foluke Daramola Salako, held a Gala Event And Awards for veterans in the movie industry and it was graced by many veterans who have been in the industry for 30years, 40years, 50years and more. One of the ‘A’-list veterans who came is Adebayo Salami popularly known as Oga Bello. In his speech, he said a lot about the problems that the industry is facing right now.
He said: “People have said so many things including Foluke Daramola, Yomi Fabiyi and Yomi Fash-Lanso but I’m just going to add a little”. The cause of all the problems we have in the industry is “Rebellion” Envy” and “Backbiting”. Please let us stop all these things. Back in the days when we started acting, we loved ourselves genuinely. All these veterans, we all meet at the location and at late Ogunde’s place. We ate together and did a lot of things together. We knew where each of us stayed. We passed the night at one another’s houses, depending on the location of the job we had. If we have a job in Ibadan, we will all sleep at our colleagues’ place who stayed in Ibadan, We did the same to those who lived in Lagos. That was how it was back then. I want to plead with the young actors to let us work hand-in-hand. We need your contribution too. Everything is evolving, culture itself is Dynamic. We can’t do everything. And some of the young actors refused to join hands with each other because they are questing for power, but without unity and love things won’t work out well in the industry. They have forgotten that all power belongs to God. God should forgive our late boss “Ade Love”. He would always say don’t place yourself in power. He also told us not to forget one another just like Foluke Daramola didn’t forget all the veterans. But let us put an end to Rebellion, Envy and Backbiting so that there could be progress. If your fellow colleague is successful, it is not by his/her power, it is by God’s grace. If you bring up an idea or a suggestion and we didn’t follow it, it doesn’t mean you should stop working with them, we all have to work together. If you don’t have a good idea today, you will have it tomorrow. I plead with everybody let us work together.”
The reason Oga Bello’s speech drew resounding applause is because he is an icon in the industry and so whatever he says carries weight.
Adebayo Salami is a highly respected veteran in the movie industry. He began his acting career in 1964 with a young group called Young Concert Party, the group was under the leadership of Ojo Ladipo popularly known as Baba Mero.
After a few years, the group changed its name to the Ojo Ladipo Theatre group. It later metamorphosed into Awada Kerikeri Theatre group, following the death of Ojo Ladipo in 1978, Salami took the mantle of leadership of the group, which brought him into the limelight.
Adebayo Salami’s children are also in the movie industry, and the most popular of them all is Femi Adebayo. He has equally produced a lot of stars in the industry through the Awada Kerikeri group.
