It has been revealed to Julia Blaise Blog (JBB) that the fight between veteran movie producer and onetime
president of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Madu C. Chikwendu and members of Association
Nollywood Core Producers led by its president, Comrade Alex Eyengho has been
brewing for over one year now. One will wonder what might have caused the
undying misunderstanding as Mr. Chikwendu and Eyengho actually teamed up, broke
out from AMP and formed ANCOP. From petty allegations of not being able to
conduct election, to visa racketing, the misunderstanding has escalated to
something bigger. In the last one week, the fight seems to have
triggered again. This is because the leadership of ANCOP and its members have
circulated various forms of statements, insinuating that Mr. Chikwendu has
reduced to nothing in Nollywood and has equally run mad.
As a result of this division, various individuals in
the industry are pointing at Mr. Chikwendu has the brain behind the recent
crisis trying to raise its head in the industry. He allegedly made a negative
comment concerning Project Act in his write up on a popular newspaper last
weekend. Leadership of ANCOP took the bull by the horn and decided to face Mr.
Chikwendu, and the only method they applied so far is the release of messages
that have almost killed his personality.
In one of the messages, Mr. Chikwendu was called a
drowning man and gradually running mad, while the other listed what they called
all the failed projects of the former President of AMP:
“1. Organizer of LIFF (a supposed film festival in
Lagos) = Total failure.
2. Organizer of LEAP (a supposed film festival in
Aba) = Total failure.
3. Owner of 'Lagos Film Institute' = An
embarrassment to film schools.
4. Took on Mr. Afolabi Adesanya (former MD of NFC) =
Failed.
5. Took on NFVCB = Failed.
6. Organized Beauty Pageant = Failed.
7. Last Film and Soap opera shot (Bound by Destiny
and Sharp Corner) = woeful failure.
8. Organized a so-called "Nollywood
Summit" for pirates of Nollywood contents = Failed.
9. Disgraced out of AMP.
10. Disgraced out of ANCOP.
11. Disgraced out of FEPACI.
12. Moved out of Lagos and now hibernating in Ogun
State.
13. Chronic debtor in Nollywood.
14. Irredeemably ungrateful to his benefactors.
15. Once took on Shaibu Husseni of Guardian =
Failed.
16. Took on 'Project Act Nollywood' = Failed (see
his gibberish called communique and the on point reply by 'Project Act
Nollywood').
17. No longer have people's contents to sell outside
Nigeria.
18. De-listed as a member of DGN.
19. Currently trying to create confusion in the
proposed AVRS.
20. Tried (in collaboration with other dissidents)
to use the platform of FOFAN to fight ANCOP = Failed.
21. His wife (Daisy) and another woman who sells
people's content without authorization (Adaobi Onuora, Madu's toy) were also
sacked from ANCOP for gross incompetence among other reasons.
22. Took on NCC = Failed.
23. etc (Daily Independent will soon kick him out
for using the platform of that medium to execute personal fight against
perceived enemies).
“So, with all these and more, you can understand
Madu's pain. He is a drowning man who would stick unto a straw! No sane human
being can or should take Madu C. Chikwendu serious. He has lost it all! He no
longer belong to any credible guild or association in Nollywood thus his next
move to gather together some dregs of the industry like him to form his new
group (NIMPEG 1).
“For real, ANCOP has moved on; far beyond the antics
of Madu and his co-travelers. Nollywood stakeholders know him for who he is - a
failure. As for FIAPF, they already know him! We officially unveiled him to
them long, long ago! Madu's modus operand is: "I, myself and I alone. If I
can't have my selfish way, then I'll pull down everything and everybody with
me!," they stated.
However, Mr. Chikwendu has not only responded to the
messages, but also filed a petition against ANCOP, Julia Bliase Blog gathered. His
long statements reads thus:
“We are under obligation to respond to the latest
efforts to diminish the stature and person of our CEO MCM Group and Madu C Chikwendu by the Association of
Nollywood Core Producers ANCOP acting under the direction and supervision of
certain individuals and institutions who may or may not be affiliated with
“Project ACT ‘”..The acronym for the N3b Presidential Intervention Fund. What
is very clear is that the latest onslaught designed to intimidate and cow the
Convener of the Nigerian Motion Picture Experts Group NIMPEG 1 has been
triggered by Mr. Chikwendu’s bold stance on the issue of N3b.
“The most amusing aspect is the Soviet era, Nigerian
civil war style of propaganda wherein statements made by Mr. Chikwendu have
been lifted completely out of context and juxtaposed into a nauseating context.
Indeed this kind of infantile and juvenile manipulation would be commendable at
the primary school level or perhaps between candidates running for
Councillorship. In fact if our principal had not personally supported the
education of the author of these drivel, we would have questioned his claims to
multiple post graduate qualifications at otherwise excellent educational
institutions.
“These efforts are purely diversionary, carefully
and craftily designed to divert attention from the professional issues at
stake. We have taken necessary measures to check this malfeasance: we have
issued relevant instructions to our legal team to seek redress in a court of
competent jurisdiction and we have petitioned FIAPF (its administration and
members) and relevant local and international Institutions.
BACKGROUND
“Contrary to the baseless innuendoes cast by ANCOP
and their Puppeteers Madu C Chikwendu did not originate the unfortunate crisis
that tore Association of Movie Producers apart
in 2007 having successfully supervised a democratic transition to his
Successor Mr. Paul Obazele.Mr Chikwendu was a victim of a carefully
orchestrated plot by two different groups working for the same purpose from
different directions. Recall that Mr. Chikwendu at a time held three powerful
mandates concurrently: National President Association of Movie Producers,
Regional Secretary (Western Region 1) Federation of Pan African Filmmakers, 2nd
Vice Chairman (Steering Committee) Motion Picture Council of Nigeria. This
concentration of power (with hindsight) in one single individual must have been
very unsettling to some presumed friends and associates who then orchestrated a
conflict. It is a matter of fact that Madu C Chikwendu was not a direct party
to the dispute that engulfed AMP.
Following the widely disputed elections many members of AMP left the
association. As a matter of fact the name Association of Nollywood Core
Producers was coined by Producer Obi Madubuogwu.Mr Chikwendu alongside another
Veteran Filmmaker Mr. Mahmood
Alli-Balogun were invited to join the Board of Trustee. They both agreed but
Mr. Alli-Balogun saw the future and later requested to be excused from the
board. In view of the fact that a lot of the members had joined ANOP because of
him, Mr. .Chikwendu remained in ANCOP until September 2012 when he resigned
(refer to FIAPF Petition).
EXCERPTS FROM MR MADU C CHIKWENDU’S PETITIOJN TO
FIAPF HEADQUARTERS
CHARACTER ASSASINATION / DEFAMATION:
"According to
Mr. Eyengho I was “expelled for visa racketeering”. It is amazing that an
individual capable of this level of falsehood can ascend to such a high office. High office comes with high
responsibility. As excerpts from my email discussion thread below confirms I
resigned from ANCOP last year for the following reasons : refusal of Alex
Eyengho to conduct elections after almost three years in office ( he was never elected in the first instance) , increasingly
confrontational and belligerent attitude adopted by ANCOP against the rest of the industry, hijack of the
administration of ANCOP by the board
,resort to verbal abuse of my person ,close associates and even my wife by
Eyengho, incompetent leadership resulting in the shrinking of the membership.
After years of trying to correct these things I had no option than to resign
and part ways with ANCOP.You can confirm that I have not been in touch with
FIAPF before now .The absurd claim that I was expelled is even an indication of
the kind of malice , dysfunctionality
and incompetence that has destroyed an association that showed so much
initial promise. After almost ten months
of leaving ANCOP i only read about my “expulsion” last week. Do
you expel members that never faced any panel, you never communicated with the
person in any form?
"I will like to use this opportunity to reecho my
concerns about the state of ANCOP. We need to give the EXCO and membership a
stronger voice in the running of the association.
Frankly, to my mind, the principal agenda of this
proposed meeting is better suited to an EXCO meeting than a BOT meeting.
"We must be very careful so the BOt is not seen to be
hijacking the role of the EXCO.We need to resist the tempatation to usurp the
role of the EXCo.If the EXCO is dysfunctional then it needs to be dissolved in
favour of a more functional one.
"There should be a massive membership drive so that
the BOT can be relieved of some of these heavy financial burdens.I recall a lot
of plans have been discussed in the past for ways to generate income.Can the
EXCO please revisit the minutes and activate these plans ? I recall many
interesting suggestions by Chief Okoye.There is no need flogging a dead
horse.This is the digital age , we must be nimble and flit footed.If one plan
falls through we must adapt quickly and formulate new plans. The general
directionless in the industry is a wonderful opportunity for ANCoP to seize
control.
Elections: The present EXCO has been in office for
more than two years.The EXCO was not elected.There should be proper
elections.Am not against anybody contesting but we should follow the rule of
law.
Membership: An Association without membership is no
association. Mr Eyengho gave me a profile of the kind of people that should
belong to ANCOP.I share his vision and urge him to attract this calibre of
membership.A dwindling membership ( which has been the case) is a bad sign.
The success or failure of an organisation depends a
lot on the leadership.I have made my modest contributions ( appreciated or
not).I used my personal influence and spent my money to secure the FIAPF
nandate .I used my influence and money to secure the Uganda deal ( which was
mismanaged) , I have used my influence and money to arrange several meetings at
Abuja.
I wish you fruitful deliberations.
FIGHTING NCC
"We make bold to say that “Brand Madu C Chikwendu “
represents many things; courage, selflessness, fearlessness, principle,
doggedness, innovation and determination and many other intrinsic positive
qualities. Mr Chikwendu is not fighting Nigerian Copyright Commission. He is
simply opposed to the so called “reform of the copyright system” believing that
there should be greater emphasis on enforcement. Indeed in recent print and
electronic c media interviews Mr. Chikwendu has extolled the excellent work the
Afam Ezekude led Nigerian Copyright Commission is doing in the area of the
newly introduced Blank Tape Levy and the formation of a Collective Management
Organisation.If Mr. Madu disagrees with one thing and agrees with two does that
not make a him a supporter of the commission. But it is not about support or
disagreement .As a highly principled individual Mr. Madu C Chikwendu has no
permanent position and will continue to analyze each situation on a case by
case basis. Having founded and / or cofounded many institutions in Nollywood he
has more than a passing interest in the success of Nollywood.
FIGHTING Afolabi Adesanya /NFC
"About 2008, Mr. Chikwendu as FEPACI Regional
Secretary and Nigerian Film Corporation agreed on the need to set up a kind of
Bilateral Commission with Ghana with a view to resolving the recurrent issues
of Nigerian films being banned in Ghana. These discussions started from the
Zuma Film Festival. A federal government delegation was set up and Mr.
Chikwendu received a letter to that effect. You can imagine Mr. Chikwendu ‘s
shock when he received a letter a few weeks later informing him that he was no longer on the
delegation ! Reason? Mr. Madu had been a delegate to United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development (UUNCTAD X11)in Accra Ghana April 2008 ( sponsored by the government of
South Africa ) and some individuals felt he should not go to Ghana despite the
role he played in setting up the trip.Understandably he felt very insulted and
humiliated moreover at this period Mr. Chikwendu was travelling on average of
once a month so it didn’t make sense to be humiliated over a trip to Ghana. He
petitioned the relevant government functionaries.
"Whereas NF C had made a request to Minister Frank
Nweke to participate at 2005 Cannes Film Festival It is a matter of record
that it was Mr. Chikwendu
President Association of Movie Producers , Ejike Asiegbu President
Actors Guild of Nigeria and Fidelis
Duker President Directors Guild of Nigeria that met with the minister and
persuaded him on the need to go to Cannes .Thereafter the federal government
sponsored more than forty stakeholders to Cannes the largest by any developing
country that year at Cannes. Since then NFC has been going to Cannes. Within
the framework of his mandate as FEPACI
Regional Secretary I constantly updated NFC about FEPACI.As a matter of fact I
alerted NFC to the proposed FEPACI / African Union Meeting for the Feasibility
of the Establishment of African Film Commission in Niamey Niger in 2010.I
furnished the contacts and the federal government subsequently sent a
delegation to Niger. I was part of that delegation and various other federal
government delegations.NFC has modestly supported some of my private activities
including Lagos International Film Festival though the highest amount we ever
received was roughly about five
thousand United States Dollars in 2006 (or 2007 ? ).Mr Chikwendu is not
fighting anybody it is a matter of
principle.Mr Afolabi Adesanya himself and the industry should be able to assess
his performance….it is not a personal issue.I have a professional opinion which
I I have not made public.
PROJECT ACT
"It is quite ironical that am being crucified for my
comments on Project ACT. My training school Lagos Film Institute is one of the
oldest training schools in Nollywood. By virtue of a one time partnership with
Actors Guild of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter) and other industry partnerships we have
trained more than two thousand professionals Mr
Chikwendu therefore has more to lose than anybody. Indeed at the last
years Leap International Film Festival the respected Film Scholar and Filmmaker
Dr.Dul Johnson and other resource persons trained more than three hundred
persons.Mr Madu C Chikwendu’s opinion is a purely professional one and he would
appreciate a debate on professional grounds.
CONCLUSION
"Association of Nollywood Core Producers has become a
fringe group that lacks the professional or even moral basis to make the kind
of comments attributed to them. An association that has only one member that
has released a film in the last two to three years , whose members have been
walking around with a Distributors license for more than seven years without
distributing even a one minute film has no business making the kind of
obnoxious comments now standard fare
with ANCOP.Their undemocratic credentials , , the scanty membership ,the
dictatorial abusive tendencies of the leadership resulting in almost total
isolation from mainstream Nollywood has
greatly affected their ability to engage constructively. A lorry load of
abuse, a limp certificate from Corporate Affairs Commission and a FIAPF mandate
that does not reflect the reality on ground will not save the situation.
However ANCOP has the right to exist…like any other association but it needs
tons of work not tons of abuse or out dated childish propaganda."
We will not engage further on this issue.
1 Comments
Wilderness camps for struggling boys and girls are a proven vehicle for helping troubled teens.
ReplyDeleteDavid Maron, a Vanderbilt University cardiologist who helped lead the new study.
As Well, I in truth need to guess online football coach out to football are rallied
around her. That first web browser introduced the
road for the growth as well as the progression of what's now referred to as the
internet, the humongous network of real information and communication that has influenced the lives of huge numbers of people the world over.
My webpage international removals