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Cinema lovers are still drooling over the fantasy of a boy band member who fell in love with a 40-year-old mum in the latest Hollywood film, The Idea of You, which began trending on May 4, 2024. If Nollywood decides to execute this storyline, these actors should get the scripts first and be on set without question.
Genevieve Nnaji as Solène
Can you believe THE Anna Hathaway is now playing a mummy role? If there’s someone Nollywood should cast that’ll give us similar cause for alarm, it’s Genevieve. She’s in her 40s too, but iconic for her youthful female lead roles of the past.
Gbemi Akinlade as Izzy
Gbemi (Battle on Buka Street, Clinically Speaking and The Aside) will be perfect to play Genevieve’s daughter in this film. Her “mummy’s girl” style will nail this character.
Susan Pwajok as Georgia
Georgia is the shy girl who’s Izzy’s inseparable friend, and coming-of-age roles come natural to Susan. Just watch The Johnsons and It Blooms in June to confirm.
Emeka Nwagbaraocha as Zeke
A friendly, teenage schoolboy character? Emeka will eat up it like creamy pasta.
Rita Dominic as Tracy
Solène’s friend could be Rita Dominic. They have similar comedic timing with a “good friend” and “big aunty” vibe.
Wale Ojo as Dan
Their lanky stature, grey beard and mannerisms are just too similar. Dan can be nice, but he’s an old and arrogant rich asshole. Sounds exactly like most of Wale Ojo’s characters.
Sharon Ooja as Eve
The role of a beautiful lady who can get her boss to fuck up his marriage and marry her while maintaining innocent vibes goes to Sharon Ooja. No one else.
Kanaga Jnr. as Hayes
Kanaga Jnr is a fine boy and a dancer. And in his Big Brother Naija days, he even had enough rizz to date an older housemate. So, he has the experience. A little acting class and he can be a popstar rizzing up our Queen Genevieve.
Chuks Joseph as Oliver
No Nigerian actor has been as much of a young and annoying asshole as Chuks Joseph in releases like the Madam Koi-Koi series and Afamefuna in a long time. He’ll easily pass as the annoying Oliver, in The Idea of You.
Eronini Osinachi as Simon
Eronini shares a similar look with Viktor White, the actor who plays Simon, with the jerry-curls. All he has to do is play the band boy role, stay at the back and make cute faces.
Just like Nigeria’s problems, new streaming platforms keep popping up every other day.
Streaming platforms are great, but sometimes you take a look at all of them and their varying levels of awesomeness and shittiness, and you get the bright idea to ask AI to rank them. So, we did.
10. Apple TV+
Offers original content and some licensed films, but its Nigerian film selection may be limited compared to platforms with a broader range of international and African content.
My ranking: 6
9. HBO
HBO has existed long before streaming platforms were in style. So it’s really no surprise that they know and make great movies and shows.
My ranking: 4.
8. iBAKATV
iBakaTV delivers new Nigerian content consistently, so it’s a great place to get your Nollywood fix. However, the quality of the films is something you’ll have to find out for yourself.
My ranking: 8
7. YouTube
The current love of Nollywood producers. YouTube dishes out new Nollywood content by the second. I can’t promise that the content won’t have you begging for mercy, but it’s free AF as long as you don’t mind hearing “about how companies of all sizes use Big Query.”
My ranking: 4. Nollywood producers might be trying to choke us all on that app, but I’m a willing party.
6. Accelerate TV
They had a fully functional YouTube channel that people loved, but they decided that an app would be a great addition. They still put out content on their YouTube channel.
My ranking: 10. Their movies keep me up at night.
5. Disney+
Disney remembered adults used to be the kidsthat adored everything they did, so they brought ourchildhood back to us.
Someone please tell them the people of Nigeria grew up watching Disney and would like to access their platform without a VPN.
My ranking: 7
4. Showmax
The people at MultiChoice knew what they were doing when they gave us Showmax. Not only have they given us original African/Nigerian content, but we also get some of the hottest international shows and movies.
My ranking: 1. The new app pisses me off, but they’ve given me some of my favourite Nigerian shows.
3. iRokotv
iRokotv came when we needed them the most and gave us good Nollywood content. Then, one day they decided they were done with that life and left us high and dry.
My ranking: 9. I have a feeling they might come back to take what’s theirs. In the meantime, they should go to the back of the line and think about all they’ve done.
2. Amazon Prime Video
We were on our own when Prime Video came and told us to Japa to Prime. Three years later, they’ve stopped funding original content and have decided the Nigerian content on their platform don’t even deserve marketing or a simple announcement.
My ranking: 5. They actually have good content, but they’ve refused to do any promo and it’s doing my head in.
1.Netflix
It’s no surprise that they’re number 1 on the ChatGPT’s list. They might be trying to implement that no sharing passwords thing, but they’ve given us some really good content and held us down for this long.
My ranking: 2. But they’re trying to get me to stop mooching off my cousin, and I’m protesting.
It’s only four months into 2024 and some of the biggest movie offerings have already come from Yoruba Nollywood. If you’ve not been paying attention, we’ve taken the trouble of compiling some of the best Yoruba movies of 2024 that should be on the top of your binge list.
Let’s go.
“Ajakaju” (Beast of Two Worlds)
Actress Eniola Ajao makes her cinema debut in this Yoruba epic you’ll love if you enjoyed Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun and Odunlade Adekola’s Orisa.
Ajakaju follows the story of a king whose reign is threatened due to his three queens’ struggle to give him an heir. When all three wives fall pregnant again, they all bore girls. In his desperation, King Towobola marries a woman from a strange village who grants his desire, but not without consequences.
Eniola Ajao takes on the titular character and stars alongside Odunlade Adekola, Fathia Williams, and Mercy Aigbe, among others. It was released in March 2024 and is currently showing in cinemas across Nigeria.
“Alagbede”
Veteran Nollywood actress, Jaiye Kuti, also makes her first big screen debut in this movie which has been likened to Mainframe’s Oleku for its cinematography and costumes.
Alagbede is the story of a poor blacksmith who falls in love with a woman from a humble background. His soon-to-be mother-in-law makes it clear she’d only support their union if he levels up, leading the blacksmith to resort to money rituals. Unfortunately, his newfound wealth comes with several complications.
Released in April 2024, the movie features Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Oshin, Jaiye Kuti, and Gabriel Afolayan, among others.
It’s currently showing in cinemas across Nigeria.
“Anikulapo: Rise of The Spectre” (Series)
Director Kunle Afolayan kicked off 2024 with the four-part series of his hugely successful 2022 Netflix Original film, Anikulapo.
In Anikulapo: Rise of The Spectre, Saro is given a second chance at life but he’s confronted with a daunting debt owed to the afterlife. He’s tasked to return to Earth and undo the resurrection of the 20 souls he had once brought back to life.
Meanwhile, the Oyo kingdom suffers a series of calamities due to the Akala’s curse, with the oracle prescribing Arolake’s return as the only solution.
The series debuted on Netflix in March 2024. Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, and Sola Sobowale are joined by new cast members like Owobo Ogunde, Layi Wasabi, and Lateef Adedimeji, among others. It’s available to stream on Netflix.
“Ajosepo”
After an amazing Netflix run with Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story, ace director Kayode Kasum makes his first cinema run of the year with this mixed-language family comedy.
The film features a stellar ensemble and follows the lives of Dapo and Tani, a young couple preparing for their wedding with their families in a luxurious hotel. However, the festivities soon lead to a series of chaotic events.
Released in April 2024, Ajosepo stars Yemi Solade, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Bisola Aiyeola, and Timini Egbuson, among others. It’s currently showing in cinemas across Nigeria.
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“Agba Cooker”
If you’re in the mood for some Yoruba hardcore action, you should look into this Afeez Owo-directed movie.
In Agba Picker, a notorious gang of criminals wreak chaos on an entire city with the help of a fortified fraudster. The group soon encounters some rivalry and has to battle for their place in the criminal underworld.
The movie stars Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Malaika, and Dayo Amusa, among others.
It was released in April 2024 and is currently available to stream on YouTube.
“Ajaku Akata”
Jagun Jagun director, Adebayo Tijani, once again returns to the director’s chair in this action-packed movie.
A woman is forced to struggle for survival after a greedy relative wiped out her family members in a day. She seemingly finds comfort in the hands of another relative until she realises that things aren’t as they seem.
Ajaku Akata stars Bimbo Oshin, Ronke Odusanya, Wunmi Toriola, among others. It was released in March 2024 and is available to stream on YouTube.
“Igi Owo”
If you’re a sucker for Yoruba drama, Igi Owo should be on your radar.
A husband and wife and their child enjoy their modest lives until things go awry and they’re pushed to seek financial freedom. When help finally comes their way, it changes the dynamics of the family, with the husband doing all he can to win back his loved ones.
Released in April 2024, Igi Owo stars Odunlade Adekola, Antar Laniyan, and Rotimi Salami, among others.
Fatimah Binta Gimsay’s journey to Nollywood is a testament to the power of shooting your shot. Wanting to explore a different path from the one her university PR and journalism degree offered, she sent cold messages to a filmmaker in 2016. Fatimah, Fatou or FBG, as her colleagues and growing community of viewers call her, has been on a roll since then.
After becoming a household name in Nigerian primetime TV — working on hit shows like “Battleground” and “Enakhe”, and earning AMVCA nominations for MTV “Shuga” Naija and “Slum King” — she has gone on to cement her name as one of the indie filmmakers to watch in Nollywood with four short films, “Omozi”, “Ijo”, “Yasmeen” and “Why Am I Angry”. From Canada to Sweden to Ghana, her films have won awards and screened at international film festivals, including Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the biggest on the continent.
In 2024, she took things up a notch, writing and executive producing her first feature film, “Alli Eid Dinner”, which aired on Africa Magic on March 10, 2024, right at the cusp of Ramadan. Starring Wendy Lawal-Simpson, Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, Temiloluwa Fosudo and Wunmi ‘Tuase, the full-length film is Fatimah’s take on Eid holiday traditions, something we rarely see on our screens.
We spoke with FBG as she shared the story behind the film and why it was important to share an Eid story reflecting values of love and family everyone can relate to.
What’s “Alli Eid Dinner” about?
It’s about a woman who desperately wants to bring her family together for a late Eid dinner, but things go left because everyone arrives with secrets, and she’s unable to control the night.
How did the story come to life?
I don’t have personal experience with secrets at Eid dinners, but we all hear stories about different family gatherings. I’ve always wanted to tell an Eid story, especially after watching “How to Ruin Christmas” and “A Naija Christmas”. Those two films triggered the need even more.
I had an old story about a woman getting remarried in her 50s, and I found a way to rework it when I was asked to submit pitches to Africa Magic. Luckily, it got selected, and I developed and co-wrote it with Owumi Ugbeye.
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Why was it important to fill the Eid holiday film gap in Nollywood?
The two Eids are very important in Nigeria. It’s the famous “Which one is the ram holiday?” It’s relatable, normal and very us. Yet, we’re stuck with weddings and funeral stories when there’s room to expand. I recently tweeted about coming for Christmas, more Eid stories, the New Yam festival, and so much more.
What was your favourite part of writing and producing the story?
Putting the project together was fun. It took an amazing village of people. It was a beautiful collaboration between every member of the cast and crew. I enjoyed the casting process and I really enjoyed my days on the set. It was a short time; we filmed from Sunday to Friday. Every day was memorable because it felt like working with friends.
The outfits in the film were stunning, with the vibrant colours. How did you choose the looks?
I give all that credit to the wardrobe team. Mary Bukky Oyinlola, the costume designer, and her people came through for us. I shared a mood board, and the wardrobe team delivered better than I’d imagined.
As an indie filmmaker, what was a difficult moment when filming this project?
“Alli Eid Dinner” is not an indie project, thankfully. Africa Magic commissioned it. However, the most difficult moment on set was losing footage of the main dinner. The morning after filming our dinner scene, the post-production supervisor called me to the side and explained that we had accidentally lost footage.
See, I’m awful in stressful situations because I become dismissive when there are no solutions. I don’t like complaining or nagging, just bring solutions or leave me alone.
Learning we had lost footage sent me to sleep straight. I literally ordered a burger and slept for hours. At some point, we tried to pay to fix it, but we ended up just reshooting the scenes we lost. It cost us out of our personal money, but we did what we needed to do to save our film.
“Alli Eid Dinner”, like all your projects, is centred around women. What does this mean to you?
It feels normal to me. I’m very lucky to have talented and hardworking women around me. It means so much that I get to tell stories about layered and super interesting women. With “Alli Eid Dinner”, we had colourful female characters that triggered so many reactions, and I was very proud of how they translated on screen.
What’s your favourite holiday movie of all time?
As a child, it was “Miracle on the 34th Street” (the 1994 one) and “Home Alone”. I still don’t have one of all time because it’s hard to pick. I also enjoyed “How to Ruin Christmas” Season 1. It really made me feel happy at the time it came out.
What’s your favourite Eid tradition?
Dressing up and taking my Eid naps.
What would you bring to the Alli Eid dinner if you were a guest?
My famous roasted chicken and brownies.
What other types of Eid stories would you like to see on screen?
I’ll take anything right now. We don’t have enough, so I’ll really take anything.
What’s next for FBG?
HIRE FBG! I’m eager to do more work and tell many more stories. I want to work with people, collaborate, and again, tell more stories.
Eniola Ajao’s ambitious Yoruba epic movie “Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds” premiered on March 24. But if I’d attempted to write this article without taking a full-on 24-hour breather, I’d have died from cringe.
The official invitation said the theme was “Royal Beast”, and our celebrities took it a little too seriously because I saw scary things. Let’s get into some of the looks from the premiere.
Dayo Amusa
I’m not even kidding when I say I got a jump scare and dropped my phone after she showed up on the screen. If Yoruba Nollywood wanted their deities and evil forest creatures to have horns, this is what it would look like.
Habeeb Alagbe
Is he the lost prince of Zamunda? Is he a leopard? Is he a barbershop three-seater couch? No, because who be Kwasogbu?
Papaya Ex
I imagine Medusa clutched her pearls and screamed in afterlife lingo after this look saw the light of day. But to the main issue, how did she not crumble under the weight of that monstrosity on her head?
Onome Gideon
Not gonna lie, he kinda served and ate with this look. The Spartacus-styled breastplate, the cape, the gloves and high-waist pants? Okay, Mr Osapa London Royal Beast. Easy on us.
Eniola Ajao
I have heaved several deep sighs, and I fear it’ll never be enough to express how I truly feel about the celebrant’s entry for the night. Let me just say this is what I see in my nightmares when an Ojuju calabar is chasing me unprovoked with a basket of live snakes.
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Toyin Abraham
Apart from wearing what looks like 15 yards of black curtain material from Tejuosho market, Mummy Ire gets a strong C- for not sticking to the night’s theme. Ma’am, where is the Mother Gaguu in you?
Groovy
This guy was crowned the best-dressed male of the night. I need everyone involved arrested immediately.
Iyabo Ojo
It’s giving tropical rainforest queen, and while a part of me is screaming RATE IT, I cannot in good conscience agree that she kept to the theme. She looks nice, though.
Folagade Banks
Where is the effort? The theme for the premiere is “Royal Beast”, but this entire get-up is giving wedding engagement owambe, and I’m not fooled by how good it looks.
Bose Alao
Girl, what is going on? You mean to tell me no one saw this in her dressing room and thought, “Hmm, maybe we should go a different direction”? And the audacity to sneak in that shoe under this village masquerade shebang.
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Denrele Edun
This is another case of missing the memo completely. Where is the “Royal Ayamatanga” here? This man dressed like he was having his traditional wedding. Please, go away.
Tierny Olalere
This looks like what the best student in Home Econs class would come up with if they had access to all the accessories in a fashion shop. But are the whiskers on her face her interpretation of a beast?
It’s been two months since Prime Video announced its exit from Nigeria. Since then, they’ve dumped movies and shows on our heads like they’re LAWMA and we’re the refuse site.
Normally, we wouldn’t have a problem with this, but these latest drops have had us looking left, right and wondering who sent us message. So, we decided to rank them all.
“L.I.F.E”
https://youtu.be/KrrDu_ychTs?si=WXHJoaDvDDNsrYH2
You might be tempted to judge this movie by its poster, but don’t. You’ll get a jumpscare every time you see Willy, but it’s one of the best body swap movies Nollywood has given us so far.
Rewatch value: 8/10
It was good, and you’ll enjoy watching it. Even Willy and his Willy Wonka dress sense can’t stain this body of work’s white.
“A Green Fever”
Watch this only if you’ve been thinking of catching a flight to an unknown place. It’ll take you on a journey from confusion to understanding and confusion again.
Rewatch value: 7/10
The actors brought their A-game, but the open ending might make you pull your hair out in the first watch.
“It Blooms in June”
It’s cute and all, but there’s no way we could root for Mira and Ebisinde, please. Their chemistry was non-existent, and we’ve never hoped for a relationship to crash and fail the way we hoped for theirs to.
Rewatch value: 6/10
You might watch this again if you like coming-of-age stories and want to see a somewhat healthy father-daughter relationship on screen. Just get ready to squeeze your eyes shut at Ebisinde’s attempts at flirting.
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“Hotel Labamba”
Yhemolee was the hypeman in a makeshift club in someone’s hotel room. In this house, we support women’s rights and wrongs. That being said, considering the plot holes, the poor attempts at humour, and the fact that there was nothing mysterious about this murder mystery, this might be one of Biodun Stephen’s big wrongs. But that’s okay because she’s done many rights before.
Rewatch value: 5/10
If you like displays of foolishness, then you can rewatch this to your heart’s content.
“Small Talk”
If you’re a fan of Nigerian comedy, then you’ll love this. At least, ten skitmakers feature in this film, so you’ll get what you came for: poorly timed jokes and forced humour.
Rewatch value: 4/10
If Instagram skits are your type of thing, you’re in for the ride of your life.
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“Japa”
The plot might be new for Nollywood, but that’s the only good thing about this film. Okay, that’s a half-truth. It was a little funny, and we did get to see Adesua Etomi on our screen again, after Gangs of Lagos.
Rewatch value: 3/10
The movie already wastes your time the first time around, rewatching it might just be an act of self-harm. Except you’re the biggest fan of Blossom Chukwujekwu and Adesua.
“The Bloom Boys”
If you can stick with this to the end, then you might just be God’s strongest soldier. Between the rehashed storyline and the moral lesson it tries to teach in the middle of all the chaos, there’s nothing special about this. Except maybe Kemi getting revenge on her abusive partner. She ends up in jail, but she shows him shege first, and that’s the only thing we were there for.
Rewatch value: 1/10
They scammed us with the trailer. Things just happened throughout the movie. Timini is apparently a rapper, artist manager and Joseph the Dreamer. Half the other characters are annoying AF and doing as they wish, never minding the plot.
WeTalkSound and Inside Nollywood are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of “Sounds of Nollywood,” a groundbreaking documentary series that shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the Nigerian film industry – the sound designers and composers who bring cinematic experiences to life.
Set to premiere on March 13, this series takes audiences behind the scenes of the sound compositions for some of Nollywood’s biggest projects including Anikulapo, The Black Book, Jagun Jagun, Collision Course and Battle on Buka’s Street.
The documentary is an immersive journey through the artistry and innovation of leading professionals in the field. The documentary is presented by WeTalkSound in collaboration with In Nollywood. Kindly find links to preview and all other needed information about the project here.
The series features:
Ava Momoh – Composer for Collision Course, Over the Bridge, Cake.
Anu Afolayan – Composer for Aníkúlápó, Swallow, Citation.
Kulanen Ikyo – Composer for The Black Book, Blood Sisters, Lionheart, Okafor’s Law, October 1.
Tolu Obanro – Composer for Jagun Jagun, Gangs of Lagos, Battle on Buka Street, Brotherhood, King of Thieves.
Clement ‘DJ Klem’ Kponu – Composer for Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre, Halima’s Choice, Lady Buckit & The Motley Mopsters, Fishbone.
According to Dolapo Amusat, the CEO of WeTalkSound, “Sounds of Nollywood” is more than just a documentary series; it’s a celebration of creativity, passion, and innovation. Through intimate interviews and captivating behind-the-scenes footage, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the vital role that sound design plays in shaping the emotional impact of films. “From pulse-pounding action sequences to poignant dramatic moments, our series highlights the incredible talent and dedication of the individuals who make it all possible.”
With “Sounds of Nollywood,” we invite audiences to explore the intricate art of sound design and music composition in Nigerian cinema. From traditional rhythms to contemporary beats, our series delves into the diverse sonic landscape of Nollywood, showcasing the unique blend of cultural influences and artistic expressions that define the sounds in the industry’s most pivotal projects.
Anita Eboigbe, co-founder of In Nollywood notes that “by showcasing the work of talented sound designers and composers from across Nigeria, we aim to spotlight an underexplored part of Nollywood’s character – the music of its films – and hope that this inspires others. Through our series, we hope to foster a greater appreciation for the art of sound and its transformative power in cinema, especially in Nollywood.”
“Sounds of Nollywood” will be available on the WeTalkSound YouTube page. All five episodes of the documentary will be available to view on March 13, 2024.
My funniest memory of living in a rented room-and-parlour flat growing up was getting scolded for watching films in our neighbour’s house. A new family moved into the flat beside ours in 2002, and they always watched Nollywood home videos — remember those?
Two years after my neighbours had settled in, I noticed they spent more time in front of the TV than we did. Every time I passed their front door, the sound of their excitement over whatever they were watching made me want to knock on their door and ask for a seat among them.
At their place, I memorised Austino Milado’s “Super Eagles Carry Go” album and first watched “Mr Ibu and His Son” on their Panasonic screen. Before experiencing this local side of television, I was only familiar with “Blade”, “Zorro” and other Hollywood flicks on my parents’ Orion four-square TV.
One evening, their mum returned from her shop, and her kids excitedly surrounded her for the goodies she brought home. She waved a video cassette of “Mr Ibu” in their faces and caused an uproar.
It’s hard to forget the opening scenes of “Mr Ibu”. The titular character, played by John Okafor, and his son (Osita Iheme) were riding on a bicycle, when someone told them their weight would crush it. Ibu got down but left his son on it and continued their journey.
Another person saw them and whined about how Ibu’s son was wicked to ride while his father walked. The ever-conforming Mr Ibu reversed the arrangement. World people saw them again and condemned Ibu for being a heartless parent.
Eventually, Ibu got down, and they both walked on foot and pushed the bicycle with their hands. Then some other stranger called them foolish for walking while the bicycle rode empty. The act proved that it’s impossible to please the world, like the story and lesson from Ebenezer Obey’s “The Horse, The Man & The Son”.
His perplexed son asked why people complained about whatever they did and how to stop it from happening. Mr Ibu told him it was the way of the world, and the only way out of it was to die. Ibu’s son responded, “But Papa, you’ll die first so that I’ll bury you.” After a few words, Ibu decided the bicycle was the cause of their weird encounters with people, and it was best to abandon it.
I enjoyed the movie until my mum grabbed me from behind as I peeped through our neighbour’s front door which they’d left ajar — Nigeria used to be in those days. She dragged me away by my left ear. My neighbours’ laughter reached me in our parlour as I ran errands for the next few weeks.
Mr Ibu, as everyone started to call John Okafor, soon became popular in our building. A simple mention of his name came with erupting laughter and amateur takes of his funny scenes. The success of the film brought us “Mr Ibu in London”. And as I grew older, he became even more famous. I watched him in “9 Wives” and “Husband Suppliers” with the same neighbours.
I didn’t know the names of the other actors, but I knew Mr Ibu.
Before I fell for the silliness of Mr Bean, Mr Ibu was my go-to funny guy. He was perfect until I started finding faults in Nollywood movies, comparing them to Hollywood. Before Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle or Trevor Noah, I knew Mr Ibu and narrated scenes from his films with my friends.
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As a young adult, I got detached from Mr Ibu’s brand of comedy, but then, memes and GIFs came around. The funny scenes I grew up watching turned into iconic moments on the internet. Chats with my friends and online users are funnier because his memes come in handy. My funny articles bang harder when I include his face. Mr Ibu is still with me. It’s the same for many other Nigerians.
So when he posted a video on his IG page on October 18, 2023, the news of his ailment, asking for financial assistance from the public, was devastating to most. Ibu’s sharp mouth that once dished out sarcastic responses became frail before the world’s eyes. From his sick bed, it was easy to see he wanted to stay alive and live longer. People loved him and came to his aid.
But the donations only caused discord among his family members; he never got better.
On March 2, 2024, Mr Ibu’s name hit the news again. The veteran comedian had passed away. My mother died exactly nine years to this day, and there’s nothing I’d love more than to watch “Mr Ibu and His Son” for the first time again. But this time, with her. No one dragging anyone away. We’d laugh and just enjoy it.
Mr Ibu is a symbol of the classical era of Nollywood comedy. He’s much more than comic relief or viral memes, GIFs and stickers. He’s an icon and was a fantastic actor. His art will remain a memorabilia of his existence. He’ll live on through every film he starred in from age 18 to 62. This is a personal tribute to his legacy.
Kunle Afolayan’s six-part series, Anikulapo: Rise of The Spectre, dropped on Friday, March 1, 2024, and there’s been a “power-must-change-hands” situation. Remember how Saro (Kunle Remi) made a fortune from raising people from the dead in the feature film? This time around, his jaded ex, Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye) calls the shots with her magical money bag.
While the chances of finding a bag like that are slim, we can’t help but make an effort to help you find it.
First, you must relocate
You’re wrong on multiple levels if you’re reading this article from the comfort of your home in a city. Call your parents, ask for directions to your village and hit the road.
Bus, what?
Perish the idea of Abeokuta by bus or Benin by flight. You’ll love a lirru trek-a-thon because it’s the only way to increase your chances of running into a batshit crazy mythical creature from another world.
You must enter evil forest
It might not look like it, but Arolake knew what she was doing when she chose to enter the connecting forests that led to her destination. You, start with Sambisa.
And spend the night there
It’s not enough to enter the forest. You must also spend the night there. In case you’re wondering why this is necessary, we have one question. Have you ever seen mythical beings in the daytime? Exactly. They roll in the dead of the night.
Make sure you’re a chores expert
Remember how Arolake ran chores for the otherworldly creature, no questions asked? This should be you if you want to get rewarded with a magical money-minting bag.
Get TF out
Once the mission has been accomplished, run as fast as your legs would allow because god forbid you run into a spirit that unalives you for daring to invade their world.
Keep your mouth shut
Arolake’s undoing in the original film was telling Saro about the pouch that resurrected dead people. Even she has wisened up, so don’t be like past her.
And defeat poverty
This magical pouch never runs of out money. What more do you need to rise above the inflation threatening to unalive Nigerians, other than an endless supply of spiritual money?
