Entertainment
Joke Silva wants storytellers, filmmakers to unite Nigeria with their works
Veteran Nollywood actress and producer, Joke Silva, says storytellers and filmmakers must do their best to unite the country with their works at this moment in Nigeria’s history.
Silva made this appeal while delivering a keynote address at the grand finale of a week-long 2024 Emerge Story 3.0 Conference, on Friday at FilmHouse Cinemas, Lekki, Lagos.
Speaking on, “Building a Bridge Connecting the Generations of Female Storytellers”, Silva said that Nigeria needed patriotic screenwriters to cement bonding for the nation’s growth and development.
The veteran, who noted that she had been in practice since 1981, said that Nigeria had gone through a lot of history and that storytellers had a huge role to play in nation-building.
“Unless we are living on the moon, Nigeria is in challenging moments, but what is our role as storytellers?
“Our role is to do our very best in our storytelling to unite the country. We have been staying together for over 60 years. Let us write our stories to unify.
“Music is unifying everywhere, fashion is unifying very well. Films, especially now must unify. Our stories now should be stories that interrogate issues and proffer solutions.
“It is our role to give hope to the nation that is proving difficult to cope with,” she said.
She added that storytellers must tell stories that would address over-population and other issues.
Noting the need for collaboration among players in the industry, Silva said: “We are in a collaborating industry to put ourselves on the map.
“Let’s chronicle to give hope, to let our people laugh and to let our people have a sense of conquerors and to give our people that sense of nationhood.”
Highlighting several female storytellers and filmmakers who had impacted the industry with quality works, Silva listed Zulu Sofola, Lola Fani-Kayode, Amaka Igwe, Bunmi Oyinsan, Kemi Adetiba, Jade Osiberu, Mo Abudu, Toyin Abraham, and Funke Akindele among others.
“All of us stand on the incredible shoulder of the female storytellers,” she said.
The veteran, however, called on the government to exercise some restraints in the way films were being censored, saying much of the censorship is not beneficial to the industry.
In her welcome address, Ololade Okedare, the Founder/Convener of the Emerge Story Company, said she was fulfilled bringing story writers as an advocacy to push the industry forward.
Okedare said: “This was a vision borne over three years ago after my training by Netflix.
“That experience taught me that more storytellers especially emerging voices in Africa need to be heard, they need to be empowered, have exposure and recognition.
“So, we started Emerge Story Conference as a virtual programme, pulling in facilitators from across Africa and the U.S. just to empower and to upskill storytellers.
“This is to help create a better story for the continent putting Africa in a better light and showcasing our skills, our diversity, especially under represented stories of Africa.
“What we have done in the past three years is help writers to develop their stories and give opportunities to take these stories to the screen.”
According to her, the conference. decided in 2024 to showcase and spotlight writers, pulling together writers from across different generations and emerging ones.
Advocating a change in the way storytellers are perceived, Okelola said that screenwriting remains a profession and career, not a hobby that anyone could badge into.
According to her, screenwriters deserve to be recognised just like directors, producers and even make-up artists are being recognised in movies.
“Most times, we don’t get to hear who wrote the story and we think that this is a disservice to the blueprint of a writer. There is no story without a writer.
“What we are doing today is to honour these writers across different generations and bring their works to the spotlight,” she said.
She said that the conference was donating 25 free screenwriting software to emerging writers who could not afford them, to enable them to write better stories.
“We will also be giving a grant worth over a million to help writers produce their short movies.
“We want the writers to get their value. We believe writers must be better paid for their work,” she said.
On censorship, Okelola said that many times, writers were forced to dance to the tune of investors and producers, especially the international ones, “who want only a side of our stories”.
She noted that “storytelling remains a powerful tool to begin to unite us as a continent while still displaying our diversities. It is up to us as storytellers to begin to tell a better story of Africa.
“We want the government to bring in policies that enforce this profession and validate we are contributing valuably to the country’s GDP. We should recognise screenwriting and filmmaking as a profession.”
Nollytrailers reports that the event, involving workshops, masterclasses and panel sessions, had in attendance a lot of storytellers and filmmakers who were showcased and recognised.
Some of the recipients of the Emerge Impact 2024 Awards are: Lucille Ayorinde, Grace Edwin-Okon, Kemi Adesoye, Emem Isong, Gloria Bamiloye and Joke Silva among others.
The conference celebrated 30 female storywriters including Dami Elebe, Jessica Abaga, Jola Ayeye, Lios Truly, Ronke Gbede and Toluwani Obayan among others.
Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has revealed that his wife was aware of his romantic relationships with some actresses in the industry and treated them cordially.
The actor made the disclosure in an interview on the Africanalist Podcast, where he spoke about his personal life and marriage.
Quadri said some of the actresses he dated eventually became friends with his wife, Sadiat Adenike Quadri. According to him, the women would sometimes approach her and share gossip about his relationships with other female colleagues, even though they themselves were involved with him.
“It got to a stage, I won’t mention the ladies’ names in the industry. They would become friends with my wife and start giving gossip to my wife that I am dating so so so in the industry,” he said.
He added that jealousy sometimes arose among the women. Some of those he was dating reportedly went to his home out of jealousy, only to find that his wife already knew about the relationships.
“And there were some of them that we were dating who went home out of jealousy. Meanwhile, my wife would say she was aware already and she doesn’t fight them because of that,” Quadri said.
The actor further disclosed that some actresses occasionally spent the night at his house when movie productions ended late. He said his wife knew about the relationships and still provided food and care for them.
“Sometimes when production ends late, they would sleep in my house. And my wife is aware I am dating them, she would still feed them and everything,” he stated.
Quadri has been married to Sadiat since 1989. The couple have children and grandchildren.
Actress and filmmaker Fisayomi Amodemaja, popularly known as Fisayo Abebi, has urged young actors to build strong personal brands and rely on their talent rather than fame or social media visibility for a sustainable career in Nollywood.
Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Abebi, who began acting as a child before moving into filmmaking and production, said having a distinct identity was essential for anyone seeking longevity in the industry.
“As an actor, you should have a brand. You should have something that makes you different. Your talent should be able to speak for you wherever your name cannot speak for you,” she said.
She also stressed the need for dedication and readiness to handle the demands of the profession.
“Any young actor coming into the industry has to know that it is time-consuming, and you have to be fully ready to be diligent and ready for the stress,” Abebi added.
The actress reflected on her own experiences, noting that growing up in the spotlight came with pressure, particularly from being recognised for a character she played as a child.
She credited her family and friends with helping her navigate the attention and remain grounded. Her mother, she said, played a key role by helping her understand that she was separate from the character audiences associated her with.
Abebi also spoke about the challenges of combining her acting career with university education, describing it as stressful at times.
“Sometimes I might have to refund or sometimes I might have to go to the set after finishing my exam. So, that can be very stressful,” she said.
She noted that her journey in the industry had taught her to take risks and build confidence in herself.
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has revealed that she spent several months struggling with severe pain and mobility challenges that left her dependent on a wheelchair.
The actress shared the details in a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday as she marked her 25th birthday, which she described as her “Silver Jubilee.”
Appearing in a wheelchair, Daniels explained that her prolonged absence from social media was due to the health difficulties.
“I know many of you may be surprised seeing me in a wheelchair. Well, welcome to another chapter of my life,” she said.
She stated that the problem began as a minor issue but gradually became more serious, eventually limiting her freedom to move around as she pleased.
“For several months now, I lost my freedom to move around as I please. It started as something minor, very minor, but eventually led to this,” Daniels said.
According to her, the condition took a major turn after the last public gathering she hosted, a Children’s Day carnival. She said she underwent repeated medical tests during the period and joked that she had started calling herself a “lab rat.”
“The pain became excruciating. Sometimes I find myself walking well, and sometimes I just can’t move. I cried,” she added.
Despite the challenges, the actress said there had been significant developments in her recovery, which encouraged her to share the update publicly.
“Well, me sitting here today, in front of this camera, sharing this with y’all, it’s because there’s been some really significant developments in my recovery. And I say, thank you, Lord,” she said.
Daniels did not disclose a specific diagnosis or the nature of the treatment she is receiving. She expressed gratitude to God and prayed for calm as she entered a new phase of her life.
Uzor Arukwe Reveals Why He Is Not a Marriage Advocate
Bisola Aiyeola Says Marriage Is Not Her Life’s Priority
Iyabo Ojo Takes Legal Action Against Lizzy Anjorin
-
Nollywood4 weeks agoIkenga Becomes Highest-Grossing Igbo Film at ₦103.4m
-
Celebrity news4 weeks agoUS Mission Pays Tribute to Late Actor Olu Jacobs
-
Celebrity news3 weeks agoUgo Nwokolo Admits He Was Once a Promiscuous Man
-
Nollywood4 weeks agoOlu Jacobs: Family Fixes October 2 for Funeral
-
Celebrity news4 weeks agoMosun Filani Reveals What Kept Her Away From Nollywood
-
Events4 weeks agoHamzat, Kola Adesina, Liakouris to Headline Real Talk With Kike @7
-
Nollywood3 weeks agoNkechi Blessing Suspends Movie Release After Actor Cjay Dies
-
Celebrity opinion4 weeks agoOmowunmi Dada: I Want a Husband Who Shares My Christian Faith