By Perekeme Odon
The Ooni of Ife,
His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II paid a
civility visit to the Nigerian talk show queen, media mogul, billionaire
filmmaker, and CEO of EbonyLife TV Mosunmola 'Mo' Abudu, who finally opened her
newly accomplished multi-billion Naira Ebony Life Studios positioned at
highbrow Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, in the heart of Lagos
State, Nigeria.
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| (l-r) Rykardo Agbo, Ooni of Ife, Deyemi Okanlawon, Seyi Law, Mo Abudu, Fred Amata & Ralph Nwadike |
The exciting and
fanfare visit that saw the Ooni convoyed by the President, Directors Guild of
Nigeria, Olorogun Fred Amata and other dignitaries took place on December 23,
2019, at the EbonyLife Studios, VI, Lagos.
The CEO EbonyLife
TV and first African to chair the International Emmy Awards Gala, Mo Abudu
welcomed everyone present and shared how excited she was to have such a
befitting personality and Royal Father in her studio.
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| A Cross-Section of Filmmakers |
The harbinger of
the first syndicated daily talk show on the continent “Moments With Mo” in 2006
started the evening with a tour around the five-story edifice alongside the
Ooni of Ife and his cortege that lasted about an hour.
“It is my
overwhelming desire to welcome our distinctive and amiable Royal Father, the
Ooni of Ife, whom I adulate so much. This project is not a one person’s dream
or job but a collective effort. I believe everyone here is going to have a
thrilling and delightful time while it last.” She declared.
The studio, which
has various cinema halls and other important film making facilities, including
a 20 bedroom hotel is Africa’s first Black Global Outfit; Mo Abudu has
conserved her place and prominence as one of the top filmmakers in Nigeria.
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| (l-r) Olorogun Fred Amata Prince Tunji Aderibigbe & Mr. Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey |
The President,
Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Olorogun Fred Amata commended the EbonyLife
boss and said, “This is a laudable venture embarked upon by a woman of
excellence often referred to as “Africa’s Oprah”. I admire her drive for
flawlessness and prominence: and also wish her all the best.”
In 2014, she
started EbonyLife Films, which has created the three highest-grossing films in
the history of Nollywood. The outfit has established an exclusive partnership
with DSTV for the distribution of her content across Africa though the Ebonylife
TV channel.
In 2018,
EbonyLife announced a three-series scripted deal with Sony Pictures Television,
followed by an agreement with another major US studio to develop an African
science-fiction TV series. Mo has furthermore shot three films earning close to
a billion Naira with the world acclaimed movie distributor, Netflix.
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| (l-r) Olorogun Fred Amata, Ooni of Ife, Mo Abudu & Deyemi Okanlawon |
The Grand Patron
of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria and Imperial Majesty of Nollywood, Ooni of
Ife and his train were treated to sumptuous assorted snacks, hors d'oeuvres and
choice wines. This followed by a hilarious and entertaining blockbuster
social-media-driven political satire movie, ‘Your Excellency’, produced by Mo
Abudu and directed by Funke Akindele-Bello starring Akin Lewis, Funke
Akindele-Bello, Kunle Coker, Seyi Law, Deyemi Okanlanwon, Helen Paul, Alexx
Ekubo, etc.
The star-studded funny and touching movie signifying a barrel of
laughs from every angle as it shows how politics and social media are shaping
Nigerian society in equal measure, by way of they poking fun at Nigerian
politics and society at large with the story of a bumbling, billionaire
businessman and three-time failed presidential candidate, who becomes a
credible contender when his dance moves and gaffes ignite social media.
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| Ooni of Ife,
His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II |
The Ooni
acknowledged the magnificent headway of Mo Abudu in raising the bar of the
Nigerian movie industry with what he had seen on the ground. “We should give
honour to whom honour is due. EbonyLife Place is amazing with a hardworking
woman that built if from ground zero. She has never been disrespectful and we
are happy with her success stories.
With the core
values of team spirit, boldness, innovation, and vibrancy that define them,
EbonyLife Media will continue to be the go-to source of dynamic, original,
quality content that celebrates the beauty of Africa and enjoys creating
captivating contents that will tell the African story from a fresh and positive
African perspective to the world.
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| A Cross-Section of Filmmakers and Guests |
Present at the
event is Director of Business School, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr.
Prince Makinde, HOD Public Health, OAU, Ile-Ife, Prof. Olapeju Adefunke Esimai,
DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata, AMP President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike, NFVCB
Member, Mr. Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, DGN Treasurer, Dr. Tony Akposheri, Rykardo
Agbo, Seyi Law, Deyemi Okalanwon, Iyabo Ojo, AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna
Onye, DGN PRO, Mr. Perekeme Odon, Prince Tunji Onochie Aderibigbe, Uche Iwuji,
Mr. Franks Oite, and other dignitaries.
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| A Parting Gift From The CEO, EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu To The Oni of Ife |
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| Rykardo Agbo and Ngozi Ogbonna Onye |
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| Olorogun Fred Amata & Dr. Tony Akposheri |
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| DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata & Rykardo Agbo |
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| Actress Uche Iwuji |
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| DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata & AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna |
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| NFVCB Member, Mr. Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey |
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| Frank Oite In A Pose |
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| (L-R) Mr. Ralph Nwadike, Dr. Tony Akposheri & Mr. Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey |
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| Delectable Actress, Iyabo Ojo |
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| (l-r) AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna, Mr. Keep Ekpenyong-Bassey & Uche Iwuji |
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