By Balarabe Oshiafi
The golden rule of public relations practice is to do a good thing and take conscious steps to popularize it with a view to winning the sympathy, empathy, understanding and patronage of clients and stakeholders.
This is what Ehizoya Golden Entertainment (EGE) has done for the image of Nigeria with the 9th edition of Nollywood film festival and it’s sister event-the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA).
By showcasing the fast expanding and the emerging film industry in Nigeria in Europe and Germany, EGE is doing a commendable endeavour of marketing the giant of Africa to the reast of the World. What with the strong pull of Nollywood as the fastest growing film industry in the world!
According to the Chief Executive Officer of EGE, Isaac Izoya, the international entertainment outfit and it’s partners are focused on rebranding Nigeria and helping to draw foreign direct investment to her. ExpressDay Newspaper’s investigation reveals that Izoya is indeed purposive. For nine years now, EGE has been consistent in showcasing Nollywood, nay Nigeria’s culture in Germany and Europe.
“This edition brought together a remarkable assembly of notable figures from Nigerian communities across Europe and beyond. The vibrant and distinguished attendees marked a dream come true for the organizers, making the event a resounding success”, an official report say.
“The festivities were officially declared open by the new Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Frankfurt, Ambassador Yakubu Dadu who in his opening remarks expressed his enthusiasm for meeting such a significant cultural initiative in Frankfurt.
In the release made available to this medium, the Ambassador expressed readiness to partnering with EGE to promote Nigeria’s image globally, emphasizing the power of Nollywood in projecting Nigeria to the world positively. “Isaac Izoya, thank you for making our job easier. We will capitalize on this platform and bring even more stars to next year’s event,” Ambassador Dadu declared before declaring the festival open.
Screening of films and the ceremonies were witnessed by the galaxy of diplomats and professionals.
“The Nollywood Film Festival Germany 2024 and NEGA Awards Gala Night, held at the Pupille Kino at Goethe University in Frankfurt, were eagerly anticipated by Nollywood fans and film industry professionals alike, and the event did not disappoint anyone
“Day one featured the screening of “OFFSHOOT”, produced by award-winning creative producer Toyin Adewumi, who was present at the event. Directed by Ayeny T. Steve and distributed by Cinemax, the film follows Modesire Mbakwe, a wife and mother who becomes the Acting Head of Operations and General Investigation at the National Drug Agency (NDA). The film delves into issues like drug trafficking, corruption, and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated fields. Its cinematic brilliance lies in its seamless blend of love and family themes, keeping the audience captivated. The storyline also showcased a new sense of poetic justice in Nollywood, emphasizing that actions have consequences, as seen when the character Dike Mbakwe, played by Kelechi Udegbe, is arrested at the order of his wife Dee (Kehinde Bankole).
“The second screening of the day was “IYEOBA”, directed by Dr. Henry Emeka Obidi, who also attended the event. Iyeoba was one of the most eagerly awaited films centred on the Benin Kingdom, particularly for its cultural and historical narratives tied to the ongoing campaigns for the return of Benin artifacts from European countries. The film features prominent stars from Nollywood, the United States, and the United Kingdom, such as Alex Usifo, Ngozi Nzeonu, Nosa Rex, and Maria Bessa, showcasing Nollywood’s diversity and global appeal.
Day two featured the screening of “A COUNTRY CALLED GHANA”, which captivated audiences before the day main event the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards NEGA Gala Night—an annual gathering of society’s elite. The event was a dazzling display of African culture in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany.
The event attracted distinguished personalities from various fields, including the host, Ambassador, CG Ambassador Yakubu Dadu who marked the opening with a minute of silence in respect of a great Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu that died recently after her stage performance in Nigeria. Other notable attendees included senior staffs of the Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt among whom are; Valery Lapang, Ismail Ahmed and Mr. Solomon Enejoh, , Nigeria ruling party (APCs) Assistant National Treasurer and the former Edo State of Nigeria Ex-Commissioner of Arts and culture – Hon. Omorede Ekogiawe Osifo from Abuja, Nigeria,
Prof. Stephania A. A. Alofuokhai-Ghogomu (JP) Berlin, Svetlana Svyatskaya, Advisor for Film, Visual Media, and Digitalization from the City of Frankfurt A/M Ministry of Arts and Culture, Natascha Gikas, one of the directors of the Africa Alive Festival under the invitation of The head of the Department of Cultural Administration and Promotion, Mr. Johannes Promnitz, Elder Ajibola Antonio, Top model from Rome, Italy, Cultural Ambassador Princess Okaine, Edith Agbonhese from Ireland, Journalist and Nollywood researcher Tunji Offeyi from UK, Nigerman, Hip Hop singer from Berlin Chioma Akuezue and Frankfurt based Heidi Ivangs-Kariuki to name but a few.
