– Nollywood stakeholder talks on importance of Nollywood in changing Nigeria’s image globally
– Laments lack of government support in the process of developing Nollywood
– Speaks on incident where a 60-year-old man saw Aki and Pawpaw in Europe and broke down in tears, adding that they helped saved his marriage from divorce
Mr Isaac Izoya, from Edo state is based in Frankfurt, Germany where he has been part of a major transformation process for the Nigerian entertainment industry.
He is the founder of the Nollywood Film Festival in Germany and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards.
In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, he spoke about his efforts
at restoring Nigeria’s image in the international community using
Nollywood as the vehicle for change.
He has since been involved in the process of hoisting the nation’s image, adding that the western world previously had a wrong notion about Nigeria.
He said: “I’ve been in Nollywood since 2002. I delved into film making to put the record straight. Before now, the Western world never believed that anything good could come out of Africa and Nigeria in particular.
“They never believed we have airports, and other developmental projects in Nigeria. I believe pictures don’t lie, and with Nollywood, we have been able to correct some of the erroneous impressions that the developed nations have about African countries. I also use my movies to promote integration.”
He added that the perception of the western world about Nigeria was so bad “if a Nigerian marries an European woman, and divorces her after some years. People would generally conclude that the Nigerian used the European woman to get his residence permit however, if an European woman marries a fellow European and divorces after six weeks, people wouldn’t complain.”
Mr. Izoya studied Journalism at the London School of Journalism but has being a part of the Nigerian movie industry for 14 years now.
In the light of projecting Nigeria’s image in a favourable light in the international community using Nollywood, he also embarked on a tour across Europe with Nollywood stars.
This, he said, has been helpful for the re-branding process.
He said: “I also came up with an idea to expose Nollywood stars to the Western world to improve the quality of movie productions. By touring Europe with Nollywood stars, they have been able to learn many things.
“I’ve been doing that since 2003, and I can tell you I’ve sponsored over 50 stars including Mama G, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot, Ramsey Nouah, Aki and Pawpaw, Nkiru Silvanus, Basketmouth, Timaya, Olu Maintain, among others. I’ve also stepped it up by organizing the Nollywood Film Festival Germany and Nollywood Europe Golden Awards. I thank God for what I have been able to achieve so far.”
Despite his individual efforts at improving the nation’s image, Izoya lamented that the Nigerian government had not stepped in to support the process in any way.
However, he recounted that other international bodies and foreign governments have been supportive.
He said: “Financial hurdles is the number one challenge, and it’s so sad. I told you earlier that I began doing this just to better Nigeria’s image in the outside world, but sadly, the Nigerian government doesn’t seem to realise this.
“There has been no help from them at all. Meanwhile, other countries spend heavily to boost their reputation through the Arts. The last event we organized was supported by Ethiopian Airways, German Ministry of Art and Culture, and German Ministry of Integration, among others…yet, nothing from Nigeria, whose image we’re promoting.
“However, those in the Nigerian Mission in Germany now, especially the Head of Chancery, are really doing well for us. They played major roles in bringing Ambassadors from different parts of the world to our last event.”
In spite of all these, the cultural ambassador said he is elated about the achievements the Nigerian movie industry has enjoyed till date.
He recalled an experience in which a 60-year-old man saw Aki and Pawpaw on one of the European tours and started shedding tears, saying the actors saved his relationship with his wife as he was about to get a divorce at some point.
He said: “I remember once, when we were on an European tour with Aki and Pawpaw; a Ghanaian who was driving by, stopped and ran after us.
“He lifted up the two actors in the air, and can you believe that the man, who is over 60, started shedding tears that Aki and Pawpaw saved his marriage.
“He recalled that he was on the verge of divorce and wasn’t on speaking terms with his wife, before his son slot in a film featuring the two comic actors, and the whole house was engulfed in laughter. The man said he didn’t know when he began to talk to his wife again. At the end of the day, the storyline of the movie was even similar to their situation. Besides, the appreciation I get from people also motivates me.”
– Laments lack of government support in the process of developing Nollywood
– Speaks on incident where a 60-year-old man saw Aki and Pawpaw in Europe and broke down in tears, adding that they helped saved his marriage from divorce
Mr Isaac Izoya, from Edo state is based in Frankfurt, Germany where he has been part of a major transformation process for the Nigerian entertainment industry.
He is the founder of the Nollywood Film Festival in Germany and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards.
File photo of Nollywood stakeholder Isaac Izoya
He has since been involved in the process of hoisting the nation’s image, adding that the western world previously had a wrong notion about Nigeria.
He said: “I’ve been in Nollywood since 2002. I delved into film making to put the record straight. Before now, the Western world never believed that anything good could come out of Africa and Nigeria in particular.
“They never believed we have airports, and other developmental projects in Nigeria. I believe pictures don’t lie, and with Nollywood, we have been able to correct some of the erroneous impressions that the developed nations have about African countries. I also use my movies to promote integration.”
He added that the perception of the western world about Nigeria was so bad “if a Nigerian marries an European woman, and divorces her after some years. People would generally conclude that the Nigerian used the European woman to get his residence permit however, if an European woman marries a fellow European and divorces after six weeks, people wouldn’t complain.”
Mr. Izoya studied Journalism at the London School of Journalism but has being a part of the Nigerian movie industry for 14 years now.
In the light of projecting Nigeria’s image in a favourable light in the international community using Nollywood, he also embarked on a tour across Europe with Nollywood stars.
This, he said, has been helpful for the re-branding process.
He said: “I also came up with an idea to expose Nollywood stars to the Western world to improve the quality of movie productions. By touring Europe with Nollywood stars, they have been able to learn many things.
“I’ve been doing that since 2003, and I can tell you I’ve sponsored over 50 stars including Mama G, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot, Ramsey Nouah, Aki and Pawpaw, Nkiru Silvanus, Basketmouth, Timaya, Olu Maintain, among others. I’ve also stepped it up by organizing the Nollywood Film Festival Germany and Nollywood Europe Golden Awards. I thank God for what I have been able to achieve so far.”
Despite his individual efforts at improving the nation’s image, Izoya lamented that the Nigerian government had not stepped in to support the process in any way.
However, he recounted that other international bodies and foreign governments have been supportive.
He said: “Financial hurdles is the number one challenge, and it’s so sad. I told you earlier that I began doing this just to better Nigeria’s image in the outside world, but sadly, the Nigerian government doesn’t seem to realise this.
“There has been no help from them at all. Meanwhile, other countries spend heavily to boost their reputation through the Arts. The last event we organized was supported by Ethiopian Airways, German Ministry of Art and Culture, and German Ministry of Integration, among others…yet, nothing from Nigeria, whose image we’re promoting.
“However, those in the Nigerian Mission in Germany now, especially the Head of Chancery, are really doing well for us. They played major roles in bringing Ambassadors from different parts of the world to our last event.”
In spite of all these, the cultural ambassador said he is elated about the achievements the Nigerian movie industry has enjoyed till date.
He recalled an experience in which a 60-year-old man saw Aki and Pawpaw on one of the European tours and started shedding tears, saying the actors saved his relationship with his wife as he was about to get a divorce at some point.
He said: “I remember once, when we were on an European tour with Aki and Pawpaw; a Ghanaian who was driving by, stopped and ran after us.
“He lifted up the two actors in the air, and can you believe that the man, who is over 60, started shedding tears that Aki and Pawpaw saved his marriage.
“He recalled that he was on the verge of divorce and wasn’t on speaking terms with his wife, before his son slot in a film featuring the two comic actors, and the whole house was engulfed in laughter. The man said he didn’t know when he began to talk to his wife again. At the end of the day, the storyline of the movie was even similar to their situation. Besides, the appreciation I get from people also motivates me.”
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