Thomson Makolo Junior, a Kogi-born Nollywood actor of Igala origin has never hidden his passion for the screen and the entertainment industry and how to grow it in Kogi state. He has, through a dint of hard work, worked his way through the acting ladder in Nigeria. He recently breezed into the head office of our blog where he had an exclusive interview; revealing details about his latest project and other sundry issues. The discussion is as frank as it is captivating, touching on some salient issues bothering on the Entertainment Industry in kogi state and his latest project. Read On… What is the situation of the entertainment industry in Kogi at the moment? The place of the entertainment industry in the economic development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasized, considering the role it plays in the National economy, particularly Nollywood, which is where I practice. For different reasons, Nigeria has been discussed in the International media, of late, for all the wrong things. There is one aspect of Nigeria that brings positive image to the country and its citizens at both home and abroad is the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. The effect of Nollywood in Africa and even in the global community as the second largest in the world in quantity and third largest, technically, in the world, is a big deal which no one should joke with. Now, Nollywood is a contribution of all films (movies) made in Nigeria. Together, they form what we call the Movie industry. Be it a Hausa, Yoruba, Igala, Nupe, or any other vernacular film made in Nigeria. It is at the statistics taking level that the distinction comes about. It is at that level that we talk about how many movies were made in any part of the country. The contribution of Kogi State to the national pool is so meager, in fact, it is almost up to nothing. Government at all levels understands and have acknowledged the fact that the industry is capable of employing many unemployed youths in the society. The sector can provide jobs, the irony is that is not the only benefit of the sector as it can also help in image laundry and cultural promotion. Compare what we have in the Igala Industry and the larger Nollywood Like the Nollywood as a whole, the Igala Film sub-sector, which is our own in kogi State can assist the State through the promotion of its unique positive cultural heritage and tradition, rather than the other negatiove stories that people outside the shores of the state read about us in the media from the political scene and the crime situation. It can put the state into national and international consciousness and the global map of entertainment as a burgeoning Film Industry.
A scene in the movie during shoot What are you Up to at the monet? This year, there is a revolution we are bringing into the Igala Film Industry. We want to bring the best global practices obtainable from across the world to the Kogi state Film Production Pattern. With the project, we want to ensure that a new paradigm is introduced according to best global practices in the Hollywood and Bollywood. We are bringing in the highest standard in story-line, costume, editing and other practices relating to film production. We want to show that things can be done properly even in this climes. We are putting all necessary technicalities that have been absent in previous film Production practices. The point is we don’t want to be looked down on other producers. I have been able to achieve with my latest film title: Pray For Me which is an English version of an ealier Igala film titled: “Chaduwa Mi”. we are planning for a mini-event the 10th of July, 2016. We call it a private screening and expect personalities from all walks of life including the media, the Industrial and business sector, Corporate bodies and who-is-who in the society across all segments of society. The reason for the involvement of the media, government and business sectors o partner with the film industry in the state is because of their importance
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