It is the fourth week in what seems to be an eventful month in moviedom and some top players of the space are in the news for the right and wrong reasons. Here is a pick for the week…

RMD’s New Role At Anakle Films
If we didn’t mention it here, well let’s bring you the information that leading Nigerian stage and screen actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, is the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Anakle Films, the production company behind the hugely successful crime thriller, Black Book, as directed by Editi Effiong. With this appointment, Anakle Film, under the leadership of Editi Effiong, takes over RMD Productions and would continue in his role as CEO and arrow head of the now merged Anakle Films.

Effiong had remarked that with RMD, as Richard Mofe Damijo is simply called, joining Anakle Films, the production company will add a new layer of excellence to their storytelling. On his part, the actor and lawyer said he is excited to contribute to the growth and innovation of African storytelling. “We have a rich history and vibrant culture that deserve to be shared with audiences far and wide and Black Book is an example of what we can achieve and I believe it is only the beginning of what is to come,” RMD said.

‘Mr Ibu’ Trends Again
NOTABLE actor John Okafor, who is popular as Mr Ibu, is in the news again. No, not about him recuperating after his left leg was amputated, but it is about the battle to control funds meant for his treatment. Moviedom gathered that the ailing actor’s wife, Stella Marris, had ordered the arrest of Jasmine, the actors adopted daughter and two of his sons, Daniel and Val over issues bordering on the signatory of the actor’s account. An inside family source confirmed that Jasmine and Ibu’s two sons were invited by the police during the week. Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, has also shared the news of their invitation on Instagram. Ogala alleged that Jasmine and the actor’s sons were arrested and detained at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos over claims that Jasmine transferred N300 million donated to the ailing actor from his account. It is not clear, as at press time, if those invited have been released, but an industry source hinted that they might have been quizzed and allowed to go while investigation is on. “I am not sure they will keep Jasmine there longer than a few hours because she is the one taking care of the actor who is recuperating,” the source said. Latest information on the actor indicates that he is currently recuperating and might be flown abroad for ‘proper medical attention’.

That Chidi Ihezie Okafor’s Facebook Post Was A Stunt
NOLLYWOOD actress, Chidi Ihezie Okafor, caused commotion on her social media handles recently when she shared a post that suggested that her marriage of over two decades was heading for the rocks. The actress of ‘Four Sisters’ and ‘Battle of Indemnity’ fame got more than a thousand comment and likes minutes after she shared a post with this caption: “Separation on my mind. What have I not done in this marriage? Please I need you all to advice.” Although some of those that reacted dismissed the post as a prank, they had a change of position when a day later, the actress returned to Facebook and shared this: “Pray for me, I need your prayers please, as my health condition continue to deteriorate by the day. I am depressed. I don’t want to die in this marriage. Oh my children. Please God have mercy.” Fans stepped on the keypad, most of them praying for her and advising her to quit her marriage before things get out of hand. It took about a week for fans to realise that all those post about a marriage in distress, was a stunt that Ihezie pulled to promote a movie that was in the works. Although the star of ‘The Final Clash’, ‘Our Society’, ‘No Nonsense’ and other popular Nollywood movies didn’t come out to say so, it was the video the actress shared showing her and her husband in a joyous mood, that made anxious fans conclude that it was all a publicity stunt. The actress got married in 2003 and her marriage to Mr. Okafor is blessed with children.

Ibinabo Fiberisima Excited About New Movie ‘Amanayabo, The Eagle’.
IF you see actress, filmmaker and former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo Fiberisima happy and super elated, then it is because she has wrapped up post production work on her epic feature film, titled, Amanayabo, The Eagle King. The highly anticipated movie was shot in Okrika Town in River State and it stars a load of notable Nollywood and UK-born actors including, Nkem Owoh, Monalisa Chinda, Columbus Iroasanga, Soibifaa Dokubo and Lucien Morgan from UK. Sources say that the ex-beauty queen, model and corporate events manager is planning on a first quarter 2024 release of the film that has the directorial imprint of ace director and actor Fred Amata. A close friend of the actress and former beauty queen also hinted that IB, as Ibinabo, is simply called by close friends is already talking to programmers for screening possibilities for the epic films in festivals around the world. “So apart from having it on a streaming platform that she is already talking to, she has maintained that she will like to have it screened at local and international festivals…like taking Izon nation to the world’’ the close friend enthused adding that the epic film is produced by Ibinabo Fiberisima’s QueenBae Production.

‘Albaraka Marketer’ Chief Rotimi Aina Kushoro Is New Balogun of Imasayi
CONGRATULATIONS are still in order for top Nigerian movie marketer, Chief (Dr.) Olurotimi Aina-Kusoro who was on Sunday installed as the new Balogun of Imasayi town in Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun State, by Oba Lukman Olalekan Kuoye. Oba Kuoye had noted while performing the installation that he has no regert in the choice of Aina-Kushoro as the new Balogun of Imasayi having considered his pedigree and contributions to the growth of the town. Popular as Kush, the new Balogun Imasayi who is chairman of foremost Nollywood movie marketing outfit — Highwaves Video Mart promised in his acceptance speech to be loyal to the monarch and the town. Chief Kushoro also thanked his kinsmen for supporting his elevation to the exalted office of the Balogun of Imasayi. A High Chief who is from Yewa in Ogun State and who has marketed and produced over 250 movie titles till date, the new Balogun had worked with UAC Nigeria and Guinness Nigeria Plc before he ventured into movie production and marketing in the 1990s. Kush who studied Statistics and Mathematics at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and who obtained a Post Graduate Diploma from the Enugu State University of Technology, holds the traditional title of Jagunmolu of Imasayiland and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Aga Olowo, both in Yewa area of Ogun State. Moviedom salutes the popular ‘Albarka Marketer’ for this new peep from his own people.