On Sunday February 15 2009, lovely actress cum movie producer, Oluwabukola Wright premiered her latest work- the flick titled Omotara Johnson. Olusola Onamodu captures happenings at the event which held at Matinos, Ikeja Lagos .
In the beginning
In the beginning, the main hall for the event was shut, due to attempts to perfect last minute details by the organisers. Championing this cause was Seun Oloketuyi, of Nollywood publication- one of the key media sponsor of the event. At this point, guests were directed to an upper section of the hall, were they milled around in the midst of light refreshment exchanging banters- and getting to know one other better before the specific hall of event was declared open about an hour behind the 4.00pm kick off time.
Yomi Fash Lanso behind the scene
Unlike other fellow industry practitioners and stake holders who dined and wined and generally basked in the ambience of the hall- Movie maker, Yomi Fash Lanso was behind the scene, prancing here and there to ensure all goes according to plans. He was all over the place liaising with the technical crew to ensure quality output and to a large extent his effort paid off. And, many who attended commended the organisers for a job well done in the area he handled.
Femi Brainard …mistaken identity
Actor Femi Brainard was also at the premiere. He featured in the movie. While guests were still milling about before the event started mistook Mr Brainard for Dare Art Alade, the singer. Femi was sporting a dark jacket over equally dark jeans with a light brown sporty cap that partially covered his face, the visibly excited fan had fingered the actor to friends as Dare, the musician- before stake holders quickly corrected her.
Eniola Badmus denied entry?
Some 45 minutes after guests were admitted strictly by invitation into the hall, the big and bold actress fans now address as ‘Gbogbo Big Girl’ courtesy of her role in the hit movie, Jenifa, produced by Funke Akindele arrived. According to eyewitness account, she was without an invitation and was denied entry. She placed a call on her mobile phone, wandered off upstairs to while away time. Not long after, one of the organisers full of apologises ushered Eniola into the hall.
Dele Momodu could pray too
Dele Momodu, the publisher Ovation literarily adorn the cloak of a pastor as he declared the event open. Well, Bob Dee could consider starting a church. He didn’t do badly, at least not too badly.
Unrecognised Kaka
Jamiu Kakawa, the artiste who goes by the stage name of an international footballer, Kaka suffered a fate many artiste dread. He was literarily shunned by a fellow practitioner- though an older colleague.
While the other guests were moving down stairs into the hall of event, the gig fella sauntered in, and on sighting senior colleague, Prince Jide Kosoko his face got wreathed in smiles and he ambled over to say ‘Hi’. At that point in time, the Lagos Prince was about to commence an interview session and played deaf to attempts to get his attention by Kaka. Even when Kaka attempted to get his attention by tugging at his kaftan, the result was the same. A miffed Kakawa hovered around the spot in a confused state, the smile gone off his face, for a minute or two before he took his leave.
Beulah house of fashion
At a point in the course of proceeding, a gale of fashion hit the hall. Models parading arresting attires from Beulah House of Fashion on Opebi Lagos hit the stage. And, for some 35 minutes they careened on and off the stage show casing well over fifteen attires. Most of the wears, all female, were Ankara oriented. And, the level of acceptance the concept received from the hall was evident in the ovation that trailed the final episode of the fashion parade.
Wole Arisekola sneaked in
The event was well in progress when Ireland-returnee Mr Wole Arisekola made his entry.
He came with about four friends in tow. But, like the shy character he is widely acclaimed to be, the publisher of The Street Journal Magazine didn’t enter with his friends- he reportedly lingered outside till they all entered before he came in- and quickly secured the nearest empty chair at the tail end of the hall. He however relocated to be with his friends- in the front- towards the end of the programme with most of the guest gone.
When Alariwo took on Fidelis Duker
In the course of endorsing the movie- and appreciating Bukky Wright’s effort with donations, the anchor person Alariwo of Africa (Rotimi Martins) sauntered over to the table occupied by movie maker, Fidelis Duker. He wanted him to support the event with his widow’s mite- but the latter was not forth coming. Mr Duker was bailed out by a guest who observed that based on what he does, he was not eligible to donate- but, Alariwo was quick to retort ‘ but he is eligible eat the puff puff and drink the wine?’
Erelu came to the rescue
Lover of all white apparel and the pride of Lagos, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu bailed the organisers out of what would have turned an uncomfortable situation.
When she was called to launch the project with her widow’s mite, she observed that her status does not permit her to make public such donations, that she would see the organisers ‘in camera’
After her conduct three other individuals called on to launch the movie, adopted the ‘in camera’ style.
And, Erelu Dosunmu immediately called for the microphone imploring all to stop the attitude and she went on to lead the way by declaring her donation to the cause.
Other donors
Others who supported the movie were, Otunba Olusola Adekanlo, Dele Momodu, Islar Animashaun, Donald Obaseki, Wale Babalakin and others
Where were the popular faces
All through the event many expected certain faces from Bukky Wright’s constituency- the Yoruba movie world-while the event lasted they were nowhere to be found. The absentees include, Iyabo Ojo, Ronke Ojo Sylvester, Funke Akindele, Funsho Adeolu, The Ray Brothers, Yinka Quadri, Dele Odule, Taiwo Hassan,Akin Olaiya, Bolaji Amusan ,Fathia Balogun and others .
Donald Obaseki harrased
In spite of the amount of money he supported the event with, Property Merchant, Donald Obaseki felt harassed at the occasion. He launched the movie with five hundred thousand Naira, but the anchor person Rotimi Martins took the shine off the act. In introducing Mr Obaseki, the compere asserted ‘ this is a man that made a promise since 2002 and he is yet to fulfil it’. The hall went into a deafening silence as Mr Obaseki took the microphone
