Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, one of the wives of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has spoken about the transformative power of Nollywood, describing the film industry as a source of healing, reflection and national identity.
She shared her experience on Tuesday at the opening of the 5th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference (PAO-NDCRC) organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) at Muson Centre, Lagos. The Olori served as the Royal Mother of the Day.
“It’s how you transform lives, how you renew minds, and how you change several lives. The message you put out there, the content you put together, how life-changing it is, I’m a living testimony to that. When I’m so exhausted, when I’m not at peace, restless, the only thing that comes to my mind is, just sit back, relax, watch a movie. And the moment I connect, something changes. There’s always something, there’s always a message that I take home. There’s this reflection. There’s always a new beginning for me. Please celebrate yourselves.
“The moment is spiritual and physical. You are changing several lives.”
Addressing NFVCB Executive Director Shaibu Husseini, she added:
“And to my dear host, of course, it was quite impossible for me to turn this event down because of that great person that connected you and I together. It’s a bit tasking for me. I had to come all the way from Ile-Ife this morning… because I’m a living testimony to this industry. I know how much this industry has changed my life.”
She urged stakeholders to reimagine Nollywood’s future, saying:
“Today, as we march not just to deliberate, but to reimagine the destiny of Nollywood, an industry that has journeyed from modest beginnings to becoming a global force of cultural expression, national identity, and creative excellence. Let’s put your heads together for this cause.”
“Our filmmakers, our producers, our writers, directors, animators, content creators, and digital storytellers are lifeblood of this ecosystem who preserve our identities, shape our narratives, and showcase our heritage to the world. Their work must be supported. We must safeguard and, of course, elevate them.”
She called for collaboration with the Ooni of Ife on cultural preservation:
“I will invite you all to please join me, and of course, my dear husband, His Imperial Majesty, the Great Honourable Adele Babatunde Enyeto, in ensuring that Nigeria’s cultural world remains dignified, protected, beautifully. Our culture is a pride, and diversities, that’s where our strength lies… Let us be very intentional about telling our stories that honour who we are.”
Dr Shaibu Husseini welcomed guests to the conference themed “From Volume to Value: The Future of the Nigerian Motion Picture Industry in the Digital Age.” He highlighted reforms under his leadership including quicker classification timelines, strengthened compliance, the shift from censorship to classification, capacity-building, digital innovation, and media literacy.
He warned against unlawful uploading and streaming of unclassified content.
The NFVCB boss also presented five industry awards and three special honours. Day 2 would celebrate Nollywood icons turning 50 and 60 in 2025.
Filmmaker Bolanle Austen-Peters delivered the keynote address.
Attendees included Ali Nuhu, Stephanie Linus, Deyemi Okanlawon, Busola Tejumola, Femi Odugbemi, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, George Anyiam-Osigwe, Kennedy Anyiam-Osigwe, Ijeoma Onah, Steve Ayorinde, Victor Okhai, James Omokwe, Mary Egbas, and Yemisi Falaye.
