Hi everyone, welcome to another section of CELEBRITY’S WORLD. This week, we have a film maker, producer and director in the Nollywood industry. Guys, lets welcome, BEST OKODUWA….
1. FIRSTLY, WHY IS YOUR NAME “BEST” IS IT A NICKNAME OR A REAL NAME?
ANS: I was christened BEST by my parents after 7days, atypical of Nigerian norm so its not my nickname even though a lot of people think otherwise at first.
2. WHEN DID DEVELOP INTEREST FOR FILM MAKING AND WHY?
ANS: The interest for film making was a gradual process. It was an unfolding revelation as my first interest was script writing. I am a beautiful writer. I wrote poems, love notes, songs and articles in my early teenage years. I wrote an award winning stage drama for my church at the time and it inspired me to take it further and that was how I got into the sphere of writing for films. I wanted to be an actor afterwards, I think the glitz razzmatazz and fame got to me and lured me but it didn’t quite work out, my passion was with the making of film itself and slowly I found myself behind the cameras as a director
3.HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU ARE ON SET PRODUCING AND DIRECTING A MOVIE?
ANS: The feeling is good. Its fulfilling. It makes true the saying that getting paid for engaging in your passion is a grand winner any day.
4. HOW DID YOU START YOUR FOUNDATION, PROJECT EARLY START AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
ANS: My early days were on the streets where I was in direct communion with other unprivileged teenagers and crime was a hobby. I saw lots of talent wasted as a result of lack of opportunities and exposure to decency. I was fortunate to get lit of that life without much scar and I made it a pact to help as many teenagers as I can out of the life of crime, consequently saving out community from loss of life,properties and from potential unrest and violence
5. I WILL CALL YOU PEACEMAKER, WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST IN MAKING PEACE, YOU ARE A CHAMPION FOR PEACE, TELL US ABOUT IT?
ANS: Peace is the bedrock of sustainable development in any community or society. The absence of peace means the present of chaos, unrest, violence which threatens human coexistence and brings about ruins. My major interest is on fostering Peaceful Coexistence and Preventing conflicts in our communities.
6. CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FEELING WHEN YOU RECEIVE AWARDS FOR DOING GREAT WORKS?
ANS: Its that feeling that spurs me to keep going. Filter out the noise, the discouragements and all other negatives and just keep doing the good work I have committed my life to
7. APART FROM BEING IN THE FILM INDUSTRY, WHAT OTHER THINGS ARE YOU INTO?
ANS: Aside being in the film Industry, I am Big on Development. I run an NGO and a civil society called Lagos Peace Club. I also volunteer with several other NGOs.
8 HOW IS IT LIKE FOR YOU ON A NORMAL DAY?
ANS: I do not have a routine. Never had a routine in years. Even when it looks like my day is organized and planned out, there are always spontaneous moments, decisions to be made and actions to be taken
9 ANY NEW MOVIE OF YOURS THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FORWARD TO?
ANS: Yes actually. 4 of them already done with post production.
1. Brotherly; a Short film on HIV stigmatization in partnership with YANGAWIN.
2. Withered; a feature length film on Rape and Incest
3. Pious Love; a feature length film on Female Genital Mutilation and religious extremism
4. Super Sheroes: a feature length film on domestic violence/Spousal abuse. Other films currently in post production are The Fourth Party, Just the two of us and Deep Cover
10. 10. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS CORONAVIRUS AND BEFORE IT STARTED WERE YOU WORKING ON ANY PROJECT?
ANS: We are tired of Rona I tell you, I believe most of us are just waiting it out now… It will leave eventually
11. HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU GIVE, TELL PEOPLE OUT THERE A REASON TO GIVE?
ANS: Fulfilled, Successful
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