Okediran dabbles in filmmaking, completes shoot of debut movie

A former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Wale Okediran, has adapted his award-winning novel, Tenants of the House, into a movie now in post-production.

Writer, medical doctor and politician, Dr. Wale Okediran, has quietly added to his list of sterling achievements.  Not satisfied with the three loves he has carefully nurtured for well over two decades, the former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has now become a movie producer.

The film shoot of his 2009 novel, Tenants of the House, a factional account of his time at the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007 has just been completed.

“The idea for the film was not mine, rather, it was mooted by a friend of mine, an Irish filmmaker, Cashmere Hogan, whom I met when he came to do some work in Nigeria for a few days,” Okediran began by way of explanation on why he chose to adapt the novel into a movie.

“After reading the book, Cash believed that the story would make a good film. However, when he used the name of his production firm to apply for a grant/loan from the Bank of Industry, the bank declined, saying that it does not support foreign filmmakers. That was how I used my own company, Premero Consultancy Ltd to apply for the loan which was granted almost two years later.

“The process of applying for the loan from BOI was a very long one. It involved the submission of a film script among other documents. Since I didn’t have any filmmaking background, I approached my friend, Mr. Tunde Kelani to act as my consultant for the project. He was the one who gave me all the necessary technical advice. It was he who also suggested Tunde Babalola, as the scriptwriter.”

Featuring a mix of established and up and coming artistes including Farouq Mohammed, Ghanaian actress, Joselyn Dumas, Rasida Umar and Umar Gombe, among others, the movie is directed by the multiple awards-winning Kunle Afolayan.

Why did he choose the producer of Figurine and Phone Swap to helm the movie?

He said: “I have watched some of Kunle Afolayan’s films and was impressed. In addition, the Bank of Industry named him as one of the three directors I should work with. It, however, took some time to convince Kunle to take up the assignment because of his initial fear that the theme of the film may be offensive to the Nigerian psyche. However, when he finally agreed to work on the project, he went into it with a lot of skill and gusto. Kunle also brought in the respected Pat Nebo to work with him on the project. It has been the experience with the duo and others.”

Given that the events in the novel transpired in Abuja and being an ex-member of the National Assembly, one would have expected the movie to be shot in Abuja, instead of Kwara State, where it was eventually shot. What happened, one asked the founder of the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State.

“Shooting was done in Kwara because the National Assembly in Abuja rejected our request to use the facility,” he replied matter-of-factly.

Currently editing the film, Okediran’s expectations are high. Why is this so?

“My expectations are high because we believe that the thrust of the film, which is the peaceful resolution of the herders-farmers crisis is germane at this material time. Also, the film is being handled by professional crew and cast as well as financial experts from the BOI. This way, I am convinced that the project will be a success. Additionally, we also plan some private screening through ministries, departments and agencies of government, state governments, and the private sector. Then, since the issue of herders-farmers clashes also extends to other African countries, we also plan to market the film outside Nigeria.”

On how the filmmaking experience has been for him, Okediran, who was recently appointed into the governing board of the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research, said: “I am very excited and hopeful that this new adventure will open more doors for me in other areas of artistic activities. I have learnt a lot of new skills and experiences since commencing the film shoot. I hope to find this very useful in my future undertakings in the creative arts.”

Now that he has added filmmaking to his three previous engagements, how does he hope to avoid burnout?“I try to relax in between all these activities. I also try as much as possible to enjoy my work by taking the stress out of the activities.”