Ireti: Of HIV infection, stigmatisation and suicide

Ireti is a new Yoruba movie whose focus is on HIV/AIDS contraction and stigmatisation. Produced by Aina Olajide and directed by Kunle Busari and Afeez Abiodun, under the production outfit, Approve Link Concepts Ltd, Ireti tells the story of Akin (Ricardo Agbor).

Lere Paimo, who also starred in the film, is a poor retired civil servant who tries his best to ensure his son, Akin, gains admission to the university, but due to financial constraints, he can't help his son.

Even, when Akin won a scholarship to study at the university, he is denied the opportunity because he has no goodfather who can make him his candidate.

Unfortunately, Akin's principal who takes over the responsibility of sponsoring him to school dies in an accident after a few years.

Not long after, Akin meets Ibidun (Bimbo Akintola) who decides to shoulder the responsibility of his education and welfare. Their relationship continues to grow until Akin discovers Ibidun has been unfaithful to him. After some time, Ibidun dies and Akin discovers her death has to do with complications as a result of HIV infection.

Before this time, Akin has not had any other relationship except with Ibidun and knowing he could also be infected, he decides to go for Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT).

To his greatest shock, he tests positive to HIV and for fear of stigmatisation, Akin commits suicide. The story deals with issues of HIV/AIDS and why infected people must know that there is hope. It also preaches the need for people not to stigmatise people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

With a cast of top Yoruba artistes like Adebayo Faleti, Lere Paimo, Bukky Ajayi, Nike Gboye, Femi Brainard, Bukky Akintola and a host of others, Ireti, according to one of the directors, Kunle Busari, will be distributed with a new marketing network, so as to make it available for all Nigerians.

“The theme is one that concerns all Nigerians, and since the movie is fully subtitled in English, our marketing network is working towards making it available all over the country and beyond”, Busari said.

The co-director stated that in a country that has over 40 million Yoruba people, he expects the film to sell well as the lessons to be learnt from it is invaluable.

On the marketing style to be employed, Busari stated that the production outfit is trying to collaborate with some corporate organisations to show the film in as many places as possible.

“We will also make it available in eatries, across the country, as we want all Nigerians to benefit from the message the film will pass across.”