A Professor of Theatre and Film Studies, playwright, actor, theatre critic, astute scholar in the Department of Theatre & Film Studies and Director, Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Emeka Nwabueze has recommended the book, Trends in Nollywood, written by Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), for everyone, especially those interested film studies and the evolution and development of the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood.

Professor Nwabueze, who stated this as Book Reviewer at the formal presentation of Trends in Nollywood recently at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, said in his review that, the book, “is unique, illuminating, comprehensive and factual, and demystifies the erroneous conceptions about Nollywood… An authoritative combination of detail, lucidity, and scope, an important resource for anyone interested in the exigencies of contemporary life in its various ramifications. A multi-faceted publication which exudes nothing but excellence;” and that it is, “a good book.”

In discussing the five parts of the 324-page book, Nwabueze was of the opinion that the book is, “An encyclopaedic compendium which chronicles the historical antecedents, developmental innuendoes, theoretical genres, critical readings of selected films and social vicissitudes of Nollywood.”

Represented by the Head of Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, he expatiated that, Part One of the book focuses on the background of Nollywood, which begins with the Glorious Years of the Cinema Industry, as it journeys through its collapse which gave rise to TV drama, the soap opera to video film.

.Continuing, he said Part Two dwells on Studies in Genres in Nollywood, the part of the book that gives it its excellent and professional touch as it examines the genres, and analysing the generic developmental trends in Nollywood; while Part Three is a comparative analysis of two significant Nollywood films, Igodo and Egg of Life.

According to Nwabueze, Parts Four and Five x-ray the failure of the Policing System in Nigeria which brought about the emergence of Vigilant Genre films in Nollywood and the portrayal of politics and the political process in Nollywood as they manifest and affect governance in Nigeria, respectively.

In his vote of thanks, the author of the book, Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, expressed appreciation to everybody present for making the book launch a huge success, adding that he is fulfilled that, his relentless effort in researching into Nollywood between 2003 and 2007 had now been presented to the public for them to appreciate the dynamics of the privately-driven industry.

The epoch-making event had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life, including, Senator J.K. Brambaifa (Chairman of the Occasion), Director-General, NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun (Representing the Honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke); Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Kingsley Kuku (Book Presenter); the Waziri of Katsina, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Sani Lugga (Royal Father of the Day), the Obigbo Mikimiki 1 of Opume Kingdom, Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness King (Dr.) A.J. Turner (Chief Host); Chairman/CEO of Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Erepamo Franklin Osaisai; Head of Department of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Femi Shaka; Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Abuja, Professor Mabel Evwierhoma; former Minister of Power, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu; former Chairman, House Committee on Culture & Tourism, Rt. Hon. K.G.B Oguakwa; Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Usman Abdallah; wife of NICO’s Executive Secretary, Hon. Letty Ayakoroma, and a host of others.

The second leg of the public presentation Trends in Nollywood is billed for the Cinema Hall 2 of National Theatre, Iganmu-Lagos, on Tuesday, 2nd December, 2014, at 11am, under the chairmanship of Chief Timi Alaibe, former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

Njideka Dimgba

Corporate Affairs

NICO Abuja