Meet The Popular Godfathers Of Nollywood

Source: nigeriafilms.com
Pete Edochie
Pete Edochie

Tunde Kelani: One of the best film makers in the country, ace cinematographer, Kelani, has not only paid his dues in the movie industry, he has also shown many people the way to live comfortably through the act of make-believe.

Fondly called TK, the man with a 'Midas touch' as far as movie making is concerned, has proved that he is good at film making, and has been projecting young stars every year. Some of the people he has discovered and nurtured to stardom have also imbibed his way of doing things.

Kelani sits atop Mainframe Pictures - Opomulero, which dishes out good storylines with clear pictures all the time.

Zeb Ejiro: The list of Nollywood pioneers who paved the way for younger stars to hold sway, may not be complete without the mention of the Ejiro brothers, particularly Zeb, who has paved the way for his younger brother, Chico.

Today, most Nollywood artistes can not literarily give account of their success story in the industry without mentioning the name of Zeb who gave them prominence through his endless list of soap operas.

The likes of Ramsey Nouah, Pat Attah and several others shot to limelight through his television series.

Teco Benson: A former actor, Teco Benson is now a versatile film maker and a force to reckon with in the movie industry. This is evident in the stars he has bred over the years. The industry would not forget one of Benson's product, J. T. Tom West who died a few years ago.

Like J T, the list of stars nurtured by Benson is endless and he still continues to call the shots as a godfather to several others and a role model to upcoming ones.

Tunji Bamishigbin: When you talk about role models and distinguished godfathers in Nollywood, Tunji Bamishigbin can not be left out.

He is truly a godfather to actors and actresses, both in the Yoruba and English speaking genres of the movie industry. Professionally, as a notable film producer, Bamishingbin can as well be counted among the most influential film makers in Nigeria.

A perfect actor, director, producer, script writer, screen play artiste and a lawyer, he is arguably the man with the largest heart in Nollywood, judging by his connections.

Besides, he is a major stakeholder and one of the brains behind the annual Afro-Hollywood award in the United Kingdom.

Jide Kosoko: Before he assumed office as president of the Association of Nigerian Theatre-Arts Practitioners (ANTP) in 2006, Prince Babajide Kosoko had been a godfather in the movie industry.

But his godfatherism got a boost when be became president of the association. So far, he has fought some battles and obviously won them.

Pete Edochie: He is the man who played the role of Okonkwo in the television adaptation of Things Fall Apart. Uncle Pete, as he is fondly called, may not be a movie producer but he has proved to be a master among film makers. And any time good scripts are waiting for proper interpretation, Edochie usually the numero nno choice.

Apart from being one of the people making the industry tick, he is one actor that has remained at the top for a very long time.Most upcoming ones still see him as a role model as well