One of the surviving legend of Nigeria’s movie industry, Chief Eddie Ugbomah (OON) has lashed out at the Zik Zulu Okafor and the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), which Zulu heads.
He also lambasted Andy Amenechi’s controlled Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) for neglecting him when he needed them.
Eddie, who is Chairman of both associations, is angry at the AMP and DGN for not planning his 74th birthday and 50th year on the stage with him. Both events which were formerly billed to hold in December 2014, but due to some circumstances, it has been postponed to January 2015.
Speaking with Emmanuel Omene-Johnson, a correspondent of Nigeriafilms.com at his Morogbo, Badagry residence on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, Eddie explained that, “I am the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the two guilds; DGN and AMP, which is the core of the industry. Yet, they are not joined in my celebration. The reason is because of envy. They say it is only Eddie Ugbomah.
“This year, I have received five awards on life achievement. These were given to me in London and the USA. It is now 10 of such awards in two years. But to them, they don’t know that I have paid my dues and that they should celebrate me so that their own days shall be better.
“I am like (late Nnamdi) Azikiwe while they are Okadigbo. Okadigbo told Zik (as Azikiwe was fondly called) to go and die because his mouth smells, but Zik said thank you, my mouth smells, but yours will not smell because you shall not live old. All of them will never be better until they change and begin to appreciate the founders of this industry.
“They must stop to bring in tribalism as perfected by Azikiwe and Awolowo into the industry. That is what is killing us in Nigeria.”
He went on to say, “I pity them. If they think they can ignore me, I am their BoT Chairman. Since I came into office, about four to five presidents have come and gone, but I am still there. Zik Zulu and his AMP used six months to design a letter-head and three months to write a letter to support my programme. That makes it one year. But I have written letters in that time and received supports.
“I am not involved in their day to day running. I come in when there is a crisis. When the case of Governor Akpabio’s N20million came up, I was there to settle it. They have only two years to serve. You don’t force a horse to drink water even after forcing it to the river side.
“When people think you are cleaner and more honest than them, they hate you for being better, let them go and roast. What do I need them for when the CEOs of the biggest media houses in Nigerian are happy asking pages for my celebration? The show is celebrating itself.”
Eddie fumed when reminded that those two guilds are his primary constituencies and should have given him their total support.
“No. they are not. I have given them free hands to operate. If they do well, it will be good for them, but if not, it is left to them; whatever they do will return to them. When money from Akpabio came up, as I told you before, they ruled me out.
“In the industry it is only Ibinabo (AGN President) that I can say is doing well. Andy Amenechi does not even exist. Paul Obazele was better with the DGN. They will come and go and I shall remain.
How can you write and design a letter for nine months when I used less than a week to do mine?
They are small minded nitwits. If they don’t celebrate me, they will never be celebrated. The events are going to be for those with big minds, not for rats. Because of people like Zik and Andy I told my children to bury me when I die without much funfair. They should not allow those idiots to use my death as a way of making money and speak big grammar.”
On his forthcoming shows, the elder statesman said, “It is going to be a big concert. It is coming up on the 31st of January. It will make people see two of my old films. The films are the ‘Black Gold’ and the ‘Death of Black President’.
“Included is the gallery of movie makers for students to see. The gallery will be moved to Asaba, Abuja or Lagos. The gallery must be brought out for the people.
“There is also the Hall of Fame for all Nigerian celebrities. If you tell some of them not included in the gallery why their names are not there, they will tell you it is a personal thing. No, it is because they were not there when the industry started. They will come with the desire to be chairman or so of the gallery. History will tell.”
He spoke also on the cost of the projects and of celebs expected to grace the august occasion.
“It is supposed to cost me N20million, but I have got over 12 musicians and also 12 comedians that are desirous to perform that day free of charge. These include Sir Shina Peters, Dele Abiodun, Adewale Ayuba, Tee Mac, Femi Lasode Orits Wiliki, Mike Okri and Ras Kimono.
“We are also trying to invite some of the present generation of artistes like Stella Monye. Bovi is among the list. Others are Ali Baba, Gordon, Mr Ibu (John Okafor) and Nkem Owoh. The gate fee will be affordable, going for less than N20,000. The money to be derived from the gate-taking is going into the gallery project, where I have already spent my personal N10million.” But I hope they all come (the entertainers).
