TheNewsGuru

Tag: CHICO EJIRO

  • BON Awards to honour Chico Ejiro, Madam Kofo

    BON Awards to honour Chico Ejiro, Madam Kofo

    The organisers of the Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) have announced plans to recognise late filmmaker Chico Ejiro and veteran actress Abiola Atanda aka Madam Kofo at the 2021 edition set to hold on December 11, in Kogi State.

    BON initiator, Seun Oloketuyi announced this in a recent statement. According to him, not recognising the parties would be a disservice to the industry. Mr. Oloketuyi also noted that part of the reason for the award is to encourage the spirit of growth in the entertainment industry.

    “Madam Kofo is a veteran who has quietly worked on putting Nollywood on the map of world industries for more than five decades. A thespian with both stage and screen presence, Madam Kofo worked with the likes of the late Hubert Ogunde and is today still relevant. Such a woman deserves all the accolades we can give her,” the statement read in parts.

    Speaking on why Chico Ejiro deserves the recognition, Oloketuyi said: “This special recognition even though posthumous struck the team the most because we would have loved that he was alive to receive the award himself. Many in Nollywood owe their careers and success to Ejiro and even though we are sad to have lost him, this award is to help people remember his enormous contribution to the industry.”

    Madam Kofo started her acting career with the help of Late Hubert Ogunde, She has been featured in several Nollywood movies including Jayesinmi, Ayanmo, Aropin Teniyan, Saworo Ide, Mirror in the Sun and Madam Joy

    Chico Ejiro died on December 25 from cardiac arrest.

    His productions include Sisters on the Run, Blood Money, Silent Night, Outcast, Dangerous Babes and Deadly Affair.

  • Tears as Chico Ejiro is laid to rest [PHOTOS]

    Tears as Chico Ejiro is laid to rest [PHOTOS]

    The body of late iconic filmmaker and director, Chico Ejiro was finally laid to rest today at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Chico’s body was finally laid to rest at exactly 2.56pm at No 1 Chico Ejiro street, off Owhelogbo Road, Ozoro.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Ejiro was buried nearly two months after he passed on.He died on Friday – Christmas Day – about 2am.

    The hearse bearing Chico’s remains left the gates of the Ozoro General Hospital morgue at 11.47am to his homestead at No 4 Iyethoto street, Etivie quarters, Ozoro on Saturday afternoon, where his colleagues, friends and family gathered to honour him.

    The body which arrived the Ejiro’s compound at exactly12.14pm, was later moved in a motorcade to the Redeemed Church of God, Royal Zone parish, where a requiem mass was conducted by a team of clerics, led by Pastor Maxwella Dagogo, the APIPC of Delta Province 15.

     

    Chico’s colleagues who attended the burial ceremony includes: Ejike Asiegbu, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Francis Duru, Alex Enyengho, Ejike Metuselah, Justice Atigogo, Emeka Ani, Mrs Temitope Duker, Azuh Arinze, Fidelis Duker among others.

    A night of tributes was held in his honour on Tuesday February 16, 2021.His friends, family and colleagues gathered together at the National Theatre, Lagos.

     

    In a video obtained by TheNewsGuru, veteran actor, Bob Manuel Udokwu who attended the ceremony said:”We are here in Ozoro, the hometown of Chico Ejiro, legendary movie director.We have come from the church, this is the final resting place”.

  • CHICO EJIRO: Nollywood, National Theatre converge to pay last respect to an iconic creative entrepreneur

    CHICO EJIRO: Nollywood, National Theatre converge to pay last respect to an iconic creative entrepreneur

    By Zik Zulu Okafor

    Chico Ejiro epitomised the creative genii of early Nollywood and the survival spirit that spurred their artistic race. The straight-to-home video productions had gained ascendancy in 1992 with the production of Living in Bondage by Nek Vdeo Links headed by Kenneth Nnenue.

    But it was Chico as he was simply called that would quickly emerge as the fetching symbol of this new phenomenon with his racy directing and pacy productions.

    By the time the New York Times Southern Africa Bureau Chief landed in Nigeria in 2002 to interview the creatives whose works were now provoking new conversations globally, Chico alone had directed 35 movies.

    The Japanese Canadian was staggered by Chico’s prolificacy when the incisive Director revealed the number to him. Onishi would quickly return to New York to write in his renowned paper, ” Step aside Hollywood, step aside Bollywood, here comes Nollywood “.

    This was how Nigeria’s movie industry came to be known as Nollywood.

    On Friday, December 25, 2020, the day Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of the Lord , Jesus Christ, Chico Ejiro made his eternal exitfrom the earth. He had directed and produced about 105 movies before his cameras went off for good.

    At 57, Chico’s creative strides and phenomenal accomplishments had placed him in the pantheon of Nollywood’s icons. For this reason , his fellow creative entrepreneurs, talent investors and cineastes were spurred to celebrate the Ozoro, Delta state born film maker.

    To achieve this noble quest, they decided to seek a partnership that will add fillip to their vision , for while Nollywood could boast of crystal ideas and a fat will to back it, a fat wallet to achieve its lofty dreams sometimes pose a little headache.

    And so some of the leaders approached the management of the National Theatre to seek collaboration to celebrate their departed colleague within the premises of the edifice, in what they tagged ” Industry Night of Tributes “.

    Luckily, the Chief Executive of the epochal building, a bowel of Nigerian culture, is a locally and internationally renowned creative arts scholar and administrator. His name is Prof Sunday Enessi Ododo.

    The eminent Professor of Performance Aesthetics and Theatre Technology pulled out his entire management team to receive the Nollywood leaders behind the organisation of the event.

    They include Fred Amata, President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, Fidelis Duker, a former DGN President, Segun Arinze, an ex-President , Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Tunji Bamishigbi, a Lawyer, Director/Producer and talent investor , plus this writer, a former President , Association of Movie Producers, AMP.

    Apart from the distinctive reception that delineated Prof Ododo’s respect for his guests, the professor , globally acknowledged for his Facekuerade Theory which derives from the maskless transformational practices of traditional Ebira, ( eku ), this portrait of total theatre that began his academic journey at the University of Ilorin in Kwara state, took an odyssey into history .

    He unveiled his encounters and connection with every Nollywood guest seated at his conference room , tales that date back to 30 years . He went even beyond to intimate his guests with an impending programme created by his office, a project that is bound to be a confluence of theatre and motion picture practitioners towards discovery and grooming of creative talents.

    It was not therefore surprising that Ododo wasted no time in granting the proposal of Nollywood for a space at the Theatre to host a tribute night for late Chico.

    He did not only grant it, he enjoined his Production and Technical Theatre Heads to work closely with the Nollywood team to ensure a grand celebration of the departed Director, Chico Ejiro.

    The event slated for Tuesday, February 16, 2021 is expected to feature tributes from Chico’s colleagues, a documentary on his historic career , music and brief sermons.

    The event is expected to be an exterior affair to ensure a strict compliance to COVID-19 protocols.

    Speaking on the event, the Chief Executive of FAD FM, Calabar and former DGN President, Fidelis Duker, stated , ” it is not going to be a mournful night though there will be sober moments. It is going to be a night to celebrate an iconic figure in our industry, a man who will remain an exemplary Director and Producer, an accomplished creative entrepreneur.

    Chico was a huge influence”. Throwing more light on the event, he added, ” Chico affected and inspired so many stars. Many had their breakthrough through his films and he made over 100 movies. So, they are coming from far and wide to celebrate him at this Industry Night of Tributes” , he concluded.

  • How Chico Ejiro made me rock my signature bald hair-Segun Arinze

    How Chico Ejiro made me rock my signature bald hair-Segun Arinze

    Veteran actor, Segun Arinze has recounted how late movie producer, Chico Ejiro made him rock his signature look.

    Arinze revealed that he began to rock the bald look after he appeared in Chico’s flick ‘Silent Night’.

    Speaking in a chat with Punch, he said: “I did not lose my hair. When Chico Ejiro called and asked if I would like to play a part called Black Arrow in the film, Silent Night, I agreed. He asked if I would not be aversed to shaving my hair and I said, no. I shaved my hair and ever since then, I left it like that. I shaved my hair for the movie, Silent Night and after that, I decided to leave it.

    “If I really want to grow my hair, I will but I feel comfortable like this. I do not need to comb it. All my kids have hair; if I want to grow my hair, I can. All I need to do is to keep it for about three months and it will grow.”

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Chico Ejiro died on December 25, 2020, as a result of complications arising from High Blood Pressure. His elder brother, revered filmmaker, Zeb Ejiro has announced that Chico will be buried on February 20, 2021.

    Sharing how Chico impacted Nollywood, Mike Ezuronye said:“It is shocking. You cannot write the story of Nollywood without putting the name of Chico Ejiro in it. He was a visionary and icon who also made a lot of icons. He was a forerunner and we are going to miss him. His name would definitely be written in the good books of Nollywood. He was part of those who brought Nollywood to the fore. Chico Ejiro is gone.”

     

  • I thought he would survive it-Zeb Ejiro opens up Chico’s death

    I thought he would survive it-Zeb Ejiro opens up Chico’s death

    25th of December 2020 will forever remain indelible in family of Ejiro.That day one of their own, Chico Ejiro the prolific filmmaker, died.

    In a chat with The Sun, Zeb Ejiro revealed that Chico Ejiro is the first and last person he talks to everyday, adding that he will be greatly missed.

    According to him:”I am going to miss him a lot! It is not easy losing your immediate younger brother who was so vibrant. But like I said, he was so supportive. He is the first and last person I call everyday no matter what corner or part of the world I find myself; we talked everyday. I am going to miss him, the family will miss him and the industry is going to is him. Chiko was someone who worked so hard to raise the industry. I tell people I discovered the bar but Chiko took it to a new level by raising the bar. God used him to discover a whole generation of thespians. He made avenues for people to put food on their table. The industry will definitely miss him because nobody has done the awesome number of movies he did. The industry will miss him and I will miss him greatly; all creative people will miss him”.

    Speaking further, Zeb noted that he cannot wrap his mind around the fact that Chico is gone.

    “I was on location shooting the last part of my trilogy, Sakobi Returns and he was on location shooting a movie as well and we were talking often. I would ask how he was doing and he would tell me he was doing well. But he complained of weakness but he promised me he would be able to pull through so we were talking frequently. There was no premonition. I didn’t see it coming; nobody saw it coming! That is why everybody is so shocked! I thought he would survive it. It is so difficult talking about him. Sometimes, I still refer to him in the present tense because I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he is gone. I am still battling to come to terms with the reality on ground”.

  • Family announces date for Chico Ejiro’s funeral

    Family announces date for Chico Ejiro’s funeral

    The family of late Nollywood producer, Chico Ejiro has slated Saturday, February 20, 2021 for his burial.

    This was made known in a statement released and signed by his brother Zeb Ejiro, on behalf of the family.

    The statement titled ‘Our illustrious son, Chico Ejiro is gone’ reads :“The Ejiro family of Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, wish to formally announce the untimely passing to eternity of their most cherished son, Chico Ejiro on Christmas day, December 25, 2020.

    “His demise followed complications arising from high blood pressure for which he had been treated . He had returned delightfully to the only business he was so passionate about and had concluded his movie shoot barely two days before Christmas. His painful death was a tragic drama that took less than 10 minutes and there was silence.

    “Chico as he was widely known both locally and internationally, was a distinguished creative industry entrepreneur, a film and television Director/Producer, a talent investor and cineaste. He was reputed to have directed over 95 movies , a fit often hailed as unprecedented in Nigeria’s motion picture industry known as Nollywood. It was for his pacy and innovative directorial production style at the nascent stage of Nollywood that he was nicknamed Mr Prolific.

    “Beyond his core industry practice, Chico was known for his humane spirit, a deeply kind nature , his uncommon humility and amiable aura that inspired the wide partnerships he built and network of friends within and outside of the creative industry.

    “His company, Grand Touch Pictures, was known to have partnered with over 30 different movie organisations for television, film and reality TV show productions.

    “Importantly, Chico was a family man. He was totally committed to the cause of the welfare and happiness of his family. No matter where he was , whatever meeting, no matter how important the occasion, everything stopped at the call of his family.

    “His devotion to his wife, children and indeed sibblings was simply exemplary. He was passionately attached and ever grateful to his elder brother and mentor , Zeb Ejiro, OON, who inspired his career switch to the motion picture industry even though he read Agriculture at the university.
    Chico in the last six years had devoted his entire life and resources to assure the health and survival of his youngest child who was diagnosed with cancer related ailments while still a toddler.

    “His devoted wife, Joy Ejiro , has since been in the US to attend to their son and had returned with him temporarily for the yuletide holiday after being away for two years .

    “The funeral for this scion of Isoko nation, South-South region and indeed Delta state has been fixed for Saturday, February 20, 2021.
    He is survived by wife, children, sibblings, uncles and cousins.

    SIGNED
    Zeb Ejiro, OON
    For the Ejiro Family.

  • Chico Ejiro: One last journey by a content creator, By Okoh Aihe

    Chico Ejiro: One last journey by a content creator, By Okoh Aihe

    By Okoh Aihe

    There was one appellation I could never call him, even grudgingly, Mr Prolific. But that never adulterated my respect for him. Mr Chico Ejiro who exited the stage on Christmas day morning was a movie maker of note, a guy with a mission which, as it has turned out now, had little time to accomplish it. It was the frenetic activities cramped between life and permanent departure that made some of my friends to stamp that rubric on him.

    A few years ago, at an Association of Movie Producers (AMP) event in Lagos, executed by the restless Zik Okafor, I saw Chico for the first time in about ten years. We looked at each hard in the face, mutual suspicions diminished over the years, we exchanged very warm pleasantries, and I told him he has done well for establishing himself firmly in the industry, and churning out works as he has always done. He simply just smiled. Where have you been Okoh?

    Let’s try and situate the story. Once the Nigerian movie industry, later known as Nollywood, got its tipping point with Living in Bondage by Kenneth Nnebue in the early 90s, so many creative bystanders jumped into the sector to drink from the fresh hope the bourgeoning sector offered. There was an opportunity to explore the prospect of something new, create raw entertainment and also make some good bucks while having fun.

    I will limit myself to Zeb Ejiro and his younger brother, Chico, and Amaka Igwe – the last two have gone to discuss other creative opportunities with God; Amaka was the first to go, April 14, 2014. Zeb who started life on Television had been frozen out by the antics of the NTA which was the only channel for the creative community at the time. For instance, Ripples ran for an incredible period of five years with miniscule evidence of prosperity by the Czar, Zeb’s moniker, before fading out in 1993.

    Things happened in the TV sector in the early 90s. Government had partially commercialized NTA to move it away from its stultifying programming and to begin to infuse some lively colour of public acceptance, although in very open enigma it kept hold of its ownership. Amaka Igwe was one of the early beneficiaries. A s an independent producer, her Checkmate hit NTA with rippling excitement in 1991.

    Living in Bondage was shot straight on Video in 1992. Then, the dam broke and so many generations are still drinking from its water of comfort and creativity. Nollywood for which that film is a precursor is more than a name. It is a kaleidoscopic approximation of the raw energies of our creative youths which has overtaken the world with such a daunting force that even academic communities globally are still trying to understand the images coming out of Nigeria. The gathering at Georgia Tech, Atlanta, in 2011 bears clear evidence.

    Then a conspiracy of the elements was unleashed to permanently alter the hue of broadcasting in the country. Only a few now remember how punishing it was to watch NTA from 5pm to sometime in the night, perhaps before midnight, and all you watch is the kind of platitude and frivolities that still distinguish NTA from the lot today.

    Reason. In August 1992, the Federal Military Government promulgated Decree No. 38 establishing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) which effectively deregulated the broadcast sector for the participation of private citizens. That Decree has since become an Act of the National Assembly, the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004. You only need to look around and ask, where TV would have been without AIT, Channels, TV Continental, Silverbird, Arise TV and even Multichoice, just to name a few. The point here is that it was not only the movie market and Nigerians that were reading for an emerging world which Chico and others would step into, the broadcast industry was also readying the airwaves to accommodate those with some streak of genius.

    Initially the power hubs of Nollywood were based at Surulrere, Ikeja for productions while the markets were based in Idumota and Alaba Market, all in Lagos, followed by Iweka Road in Onitsha, Anambra State. The Ejiro Brothers operated from Surulere, and my God, they were the real deal, churning out movies like biscuits from a factory. They never liked me when I make such remarks but I had a job to do, a movie critic, and they had theirs, and we were both responsible to a hungry public waiting to sponge up the latest news from the entertainment sector.

    While writing for the newspapers then, Vanguard was gracious enough to let me run a TV programme on the side, Movie Half Hour, produced from Amaka Igwe Studios. That turned out to be very conflicting. We had three fellows with great intellection on the screen every week dissecting the movie industry – Wale Obadeyi, who I am sure by now would have welcome Chico home, Lillian Agbeyegbe, now a health specialist in the United States and Chris Paul Otaigbe, who remains a practicing journalist. They were masters of the act. We had a job to do. The industry was young, all the players – producers, directors, cameramen and all the others responsible for creating content, and the media had to accommodate each other’s lousiness, stubbornness and even brilliance to create a lasting industry. And we are nearly there!

    To be frank, Chiko cemented his place very jealously in Nollywood – a director, screen writer and producer. A writer will need a full column to list his works – Silent Night, Tears in My Eyes, Night Bus to Lagos, Outkast, Agony of a Mother, Blood Money and so many more. Some fellas have ascribed to him as many as 86 films. That’s what earned him the name, Mr Prolific.

    In my little journey in the arts, I know there are those who just want to create masterpieces, art for art’s sake, something for the connoisseurs; while others want to throw in a little splash of commercial interest. Chico belongs to the latter group but in the process, has bred a generation of Nigerian stars who have since developed a life of their own.

    The place of the Ejiros in Nollywood is so well secured. Each time I try to look at them dispassionately what comes to my mind is the story of Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, two cousins and co-owners of the Canon Group who took Hollywood by storm after making a mark in their native country, Israel, in the 70s. In the prime of their business before the eclipse, they featured stars like Sean Connery, Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Charles Bronson, among others.

    Here awarded full credits of being a Nollywood pioneer, Chico nurtured a line of stars and featured them in his galaxy – Ramsey Nouah, Joke Silva, Segun Arinze, Pete Edochie, Alex Osifo, Zack Orji, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Ejike Asiegbu, Sam Dede and Kate Henshaw, just to name a few. You need to have some creative juice in you and some level of chutzpah to squeeze a commanding performance out of this lot. Chico did, always. And the industry respected him for that.

    This is where the victory in death comes from, and where one can begin to extend some nourishing balms to the hearts that are grieving at the moment – Zeb and Chico’s immediate family, that Chico did more to stamp a positively impactful imprimatur on Nollywood in order to bring smiles and hopes into fatigued homes, and is leaving the world much better and richer than a thousand politicians fused into one can ever dream of.

    May his memory continue to be a blessing to a nation in dire need of prayers.

    Okoh Aihe writes from Abuja.

  • Okowa mourns Nollywood filmmaker, Chico Ejiro

    Okowa mourns Nollywood filmmaker, Chico Ejiro

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed sadness over the passing away of veteran Nollywood filmmaker, Mr Chico Ejiro, who died on Friday in Lagos after a brief illness.

    The governor mourned the deceased in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Sunday in Asaba.

    Okowa said the renowned movie producer, director and scriptwriter, who died at 51, hailed from Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta.

    He condoled the Ejiro family, Nollywood community, the people of Ozoro and Isoko communities on the untimely passing away of the filmmaker.

    He said “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I offer my deepest condolences to Ejiro family and friends, including Nollywood, where the late veteran filmmaker and movie director featured prominently as a doyen of Nigerian movies.

    “The late Ejiro was one of the country’s iconic filmmakers and was reputed to have produced over 80 films within five years.

    “He was indeed a household name and a pride of our state. He will be greatly missed by movie lovers.

    “It is my belief that the late Chico Ejiro will be long remembered and honoured for his rich contributions to the formation and growth of Nollywood’’.

    Okowa prayed that God would grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed Ejiro and comfort his family and all who mourn him.

  • You watched the world tear me to shreds during my sex with dog scandal – Cossy Ojiakor writes Chico Ejiro

    You watched the world tear me to shreds during my sex with dog scandal – Cossy Ojiakor writes Chico Ejiro

    Controversial actress, Cossy Ojiakor has opened up on her experience with late filmmaker, Chico Ejiro.

    While many have been paying glowing tributes to the prolific movie maker, a bewildered Cossy decided to recount how Ejiro kept quiet and watched the world tear her to shreds during her sex with dog scandal.

    Cossy disclosed that Ejiro’s silence killed her and further reiterated that it was a Nollywood movie and not a porn movie. She also recalled how Chico Ejiro’s wife allegedly slapped her on set of the sex with dog movie.

    In her words: “ Mr Chico Ejiro…. I remember years back. You use to like me…… I don’t say no to people. I only give conditions …..what changed ? What made you keep quite and watch the world tear me to shreds…. during that mighty scandal you kept quite….. I kept wondering why….I left the industry in shame still trying to figure out where I got it wrong….. your silence killed me. I was mocked. And still mocked. just a simple yes that sex with dog story is part of a nollywood movie and not porn… would have preserved my sweet nature. Ohhh I remember your wife slapped me on that sex with dog set…. back then my teeth never sharp . Rest In Peace dear. Your part of my history and also My birthday mate”.

  • Chico Ejiro’s death huge blow to Nollywood, FG mourn

    Chico Ejiro’s death huge blow to Nollywood, FG mourn

    The Federal Government, on Saturday, described the demise of popular director and producer, Chico Ejiro, as a “huge blow to the nation’s Creative Industry in general and to Nollywood in particular”.

    Ejiro, who was popular for movies such as ‘Silent Night’, ‘True Romance’ was said to be recovering from an illness and had just finished shooting a movie.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in a statement on Saturday, sympathised with friends and families of the filmmaker who passed away on Christmas Day.

    The statement was titled, ‘Minister Mourns Death of Veteran Film Producer, Chico Ejiro’ and signed by Mohammed’s aide, Segun Adeyemi.

    The minister said the late Ejiro was “a prolific movie director and a shining star of Nollywood, which has – through its movies – stamped Nigeria’s creative presence all over the world”.

    He urged the deceased’s “family and friends to take solace in the fact that his legacy will live on through the excellent works of the actors and actresses he helped to nurture over the years, and indeed in the progressive success of Nollywood”.

    ”Thanks to the pace-setting work of Mr. Ejiro and his contemporaries, Nollywood is today one of the biggest movie industries in the world, which is providing employment for many Nigerians and creating wealth for the nation. ‘May God grant repose to the soul of the departed and comfort his family and friends,” Mohammed stated.