Prince Jide Kosoko, is the former National president of Assocation
of Nigerian Theatre Practitionals, a veteran actor and a foremost producer in
the movie industry, Kosoko is presently the de-facto President of the association.
In this interview with OREDOLA ADEOLA, he shares his challenges, the growth and
revolution in the movie industry, he has this to say concerning Nollywood. Excerpts
There has been
controversy between ANTP and NANTAP, What are the issues that brought about these
controversies?
At this level, I won’t like to comment on the
two associations, the controversy has been on for quite a while and my focus
for now is to see to how we can mend fences and not to craft needless argument,
that can lead to accusation and counter accusation by overtly delving deep into
matters surrounding its formation, my focus for now is to ensure the continuous
development and growth of the industry as well as how to solve hitches confronting
this profession and the industry at large, rather than jostling for supremacy.
I am sorry, I can’t react to that for now. All I know is that ANTP has been in
existence and registered several years by Late Herbert Ogunde between 1972 and
1973.
There is this accusation that ANTP members do
not have the academics training, is this true?
I won’t take that,
from anyone, I will be hearing this from you for the first time, and this is
clearly imaginary and absolutely untrue, do the research, you would discover
that we have the largest numbers of graduates, it is the kind of indigenous
production that we do, that tend to give some people the impression that we are
not education. Apparently, people tend to make meaning out of the whole matter by
describing NANTAP as consisting of graduates, and ANTP as consist of actors who
seems to be describe as the indigenous language group and graduates, though the
two assumptions don’t really reflects what constitutes the two association. The inaugural formation of our
association i.e. ANTP was done by the father of theatre, the Late Herbert
Ogunde whose followers and productions were more of Yoruba ethnic group, having
the likes of Late Duro Ladipo and Ogunmola . I make bold to inform you that we
have the largest community of both graduates and uneducated thespians, when
compared with any associations in Africa, ANTP has the largest number of
graduates. We are the largest association that has employed more actors.
What are the
professional challenges in the movie industry?
The major challenges
facing the industry precedes movie making, it started way back when the then
military government introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme(SAP) , which
triggered economic depression, this caused the revolution that stirred the
introduction of the home video, this development also inspired Late Alade
Aromire to introduce home video production, really the introduction encountered
serious confrontation by most of us who were practitioners including Baba
Ogunde. The struggle was against the introduction of home video in support of
celluloid production, but our struggle at that time never materialized because.
We decided to join Alade Aromire in the making of home video no thanks to the
economic recession, going by the saying “if you can’t beat them, you join them”
but we took it a step further, by presenting
it in a modern technology, our production was a combination of both village and
urban settings , I produced the movie ASIRI NLA, in 1991 which was released in
1992, this was one of the notable film
that actually exposed the movie industry, we introduced all the modern
technicalities resulting to industry upgrade. I also produced “ASEWO TO N’RE
MECCA” the same period which was completely urban shot, the likes of Tade
Ogidan and Tunde Kelani later joined us having noticed the success we were able
to record, they had to jettison celluloid production for home videos production.
What then is your
stand on Nollywood at 20 as claimed by NANTAP?
Apparently, my
analysis on the issue of movie making is clear and there is no need bragging
about this, for those who feel like celebrating their Nollywood at 20, they are
at liberty to celebrate, since that was when they started, we have been in
operation before that time, going by my account and the facts are there for the
world to see, anybody is free to tell his or her own story in any form that
suits. Our position is that we have been in the business of movie making since
thirty seven years ago. So Nollywood is not 20 but it is 37, when the time is
right we shall roll out drum and celebrate, in fact, preparation for this has
commenced, and notice of the date would be made available for the public. It is
important to note that Dr. Ola Balogun who was the producer of their
self-acclaimed first movie, LIVING IN BONDAGE, has been working with us in the
production of home movies? So what are we saying who is fooling who?
Is it true that some
of your members now have access to the federal government’s N3billion largesse?
Hahaha(Laugh), that information is untrue. I am a member of
the ministerial committee in charge of this matter, my response is NO, and this
is a creation from some people. There are criteria which must be met before the
disbursement, the aims of that cash if given out is to actually uplift the
industry and not a Father Christmas gift, as such there are guidelines to be met.
Before any form of disbursement there shall be information addressed to the
press. In fact, while cautious and not to dictate for the committee, please not
it is an opinion, my personal view is that, the cash is not the solution to the
problem we are confronting in the industry, Nollywood is bigger than that cash;
the reality is that we need an enabling law which would further address the
major challenges facing the industry. Effort must be ensured to consider
dispassionately our distribution network and problems of piracy, before such
money could make any impact, the distribution network must be structured to
address adulteration and respect of copyright, this would go step further to
address piracy, and no amount of cash would solve the problems
As Elder statesman in
the movie industry what effort are in place to addressing sexual harassment in
the industry especially the one which seems to be the condition for featuring a
young or new act?
It is important that
we enlighten the public on this matter, we have ensured that efforts are geared
toward professionalism and as a person, i don’t easily give in to mediocrity,
what I am saying is that no good producer will see a talent and drop it for
lesser talents, a producer who knows his onions dares not demand sex from
interns before being in a movie, the jobs of a producer would be much easier,
if he or she is talented. Understand this, that demand for sex or what have you, is predominantly in
every profession, including the media and the financial institutions, so what
the hoax all about is.
My understanding of
sexual harassment is when two persons who really don’t agree, comes together and
that alone is rape. If a person is not picked because she doesn’t meet the
requirements of a good actor or actress in the industry, she then attributes
that to the producer’s demand for sex, which make you believe that all
producers are sex addict and mindless thereby attributing it to the entire
industry? No way, as far as I am concerned, there has never been any reported
case of sexual assault and I need you to present me with evidence to show that
our members were caught in this act.
At ANTP, our efforts have always been to enforced discipline
and we shall always up this task. For
those who feels that getting to the industry is by cutting corners through offe
ring their body for a role, shame on them. If you are talented you don’t have
to come through the back door to be featured in a movie. Directors and
producers needs a good act that is capable of narrating their script, this tend
to make their work much easier.
What do you have to
say concerning drug peddling amongst your members?
My brother, the
truth is you media are the brain behind this junks, you seems to craft that
assumption to impress on the public or perharps do the practitioner harm. Till
date, how many actors have been caught in this act? I stand to be corrected, my
record has just two and even from the two, report has come out to vindicate
other. Since only two cases have been reported, does it necessarily mean that
all the practitioners are culprits or drug tycoon?
We are bigger than
any scandals that anyone could come up with, because, people should be
objective at coming up with information, Nollywood is a profession that has
done a lot of good to this country, than the allegation people script up to
bring us down.
What is your
relationship with Alh. Adebayo Salami, there seems to be a rumour of leadership
struggle?
No, Alh. Adebayo Salami , is a good friend and forever will
be , we have been together right from the days of Baba Mero, when I started
this career in 1972, we rehearse together
at King Sunny Ade’s Hotel, and till date we have been good friends. He
was my predecessors and where is the fracas coming from, we are fine and no
struggle whatsoever between us.
What is your secret
as you seem to look more handsome than ever?
Hmm, I would attribute my looking healthy and strength to
God, also, I really don’t engage myself with unusual thought, I take all things
light and easy. I do regular medical
checkup and watch the kind of food consume, I visit the hospital regularly
after hard days in location.in the industry except a proactive effort by
government and the practitioners.
What is your take on
the rumour making round that the National Art Theatre, Orile Iganmu, is up for
sale?
See that is just a rumour and far from the truth , we need
to be educated on this matter, the
master plan for the National Arts theater is well structured to accommodate
developmental projects ,which includes a five star Hotel and other major
structures, so, the Minister if properly understood, intention is that the
government will be putting up a five start hotel in the environment surrounding
the theatre and it does not necessarily means that they have the intention of
putting it up for sales. There is no point wasting time on that, it is not for
sales.
Politics seems to be
a trend amongst your Nollywood actors, did you have any political plan?
I am a politician and will always be one, remember being in
politics does not necessarily have to be elective, I possibly could be doing
something good at the background that is not obvious to everyone, in terms of
supporting my immediate community and influencing developmental changes, I see
myself as a leader and if the call to serve comes why not? I am readily
available to do that
When will you be
handing over to a new head?
Yes, I have already used up my terms in office, I currently
occupy the position as a de-facto leader, holding on to the affairs of the
association, of course an election was conducted few months ago, there has been
issues surrounding the election, the parties involved has been taken to court for
settlement and by the time the court decides we shall swear in a new leader.
