Guardian

ACTOR, producer and former President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Paul Obazele, has a new leading. Obazele who is still hailed as ‘Presido’ perhaps because of the giant strides he recorded during his two terms in office says he has a leading to use the platform of Royal Pictures Limited which he runs as Chief Executive to host a non-competitive award ceremony yearly that will recognize and honour pioneers and leading lights of the motion picture industry, not necessarily for the money or fame they have made for themselves, but for their art, foresight and for laying a solid foundation for the establishment of Nollywood. Dubbed the Legends of Nollywood Awards (LNA), the maiden edition held in December at the National Theatre Complex in Lagos. Obazele says he came up with the idea of LNA when it dawned on him that some veterans like the late Sam Loco Efe, Pete Eneh and more recently, Enebeli Elebuwa, who toiled for the survival of the industry were “leaving the scene” unrecognized.

Indeed the inspiration for the establishment of the LNA came as Obazele returned to Lagos from Benin after the remains of the legendary Sam Loco Efe was laid to rest. He says: “It was then that it dawned on me that we have not only lost so many of our pioneering practitioners but some of them have gone to meet their makers almost unrecognized by a society that they served till death. There are even a lot more people living that we have forgotten. The only time we gather to recognize and remember them is when they die or are struck by an ailment’’.

But the labour of these artistes as he said will not go unappreciated from now on. ‘’No it will not’’ he snaps adding “as I stood at the candle light ceremony of the Late Enebeli Elebuwa organized by the Actors Guild of Nigeria with support of the Delta State Government just this Wednesday, I asked what we have done as a society to honour someone like Enebeli who put smiles on our faces. Nothing. But the labour of those who birthed this industry will from now not go unrecognized. We have begun a journey of recognition for those whose screen credits charted the course for the evolution of Nollywood. So yearly, God helping us and with the support of sponsors and partners, we intend to identify, honour and appreciate these pioneers for bequeathing to us and to generations yet unborn what is unarguably Nigeria’s biggest creative art explosion …”

Son of a retired Director of News of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and a notable player in the Nigerian television and movie industry, Paul Obazele has not surprised those who know him well with the initiation of LNA. They described him as an easygoing man who derives joy in fighting other people’s causes.

A restless acting spirit and administrator, those who have followed his steady rise to stardom from the late 80’s when he embraced acting say the Edo born show biz personality has always pulled them over each time he is on the cast of a television soap or movie. His commendable acting runs in rested television soaps and series like ‘Ripples’, and ‘Checkmate’, and in countless home movie productions still linger in the memories of most moviegoers.

Paul is reputed to be among top screen actors who have featured concurrently in about three rested television soaps that were running at same time, namely ‘Third Eye’, ‘Checkmate’ and ‘Ripples’.

But Paul did not set out to be an actor. He wanted to be a soldier and had actually made efforts to enlist. But his mother opposed it.

Obazele later discovered that he could pull people in each time he performed. It was clear from that point that he was ‘showbiz bound’

The fifth child in a family of 18, Obazele was educated at Anglican Grammar School

Ugbuluku, Delta State and at the Auchi polytechnic, Edo State. Obazele who read Business Administration recalled that it was while in the Polytechnic that his passion for the world of make believe was further ignited. He recalled teeming up with a relation in the Polytechnic to stage productions. He would later head off to Benin to do some acting at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

But upon leaving Auchi, his father wanted him off entertainment. He felt that Paul would be better off in the bank or in broadcasting.  In between Paul secured a daytime job at SJ Production Company owned by the Late Tony Abioye where he was privileged to work with some established producers and directors. That helped him later when he joined moviedom fully.

Paul’s first appearance in the movie was in the 1996 ‘Shadow of Death’ directed by Bolaji Dawudu and since then there has been no stopping Obazele. He has since been having a smooth sail as an actor, producer and director.  He has also successfully organized a reality show ’12 Ambassadors’ sponsored by Unity Bank.

But has his involvement in the movies been rewarding?  Obazele replies:  “This has gone beyond how much I have in the bank but the joy I get. I derive so much joy when I see people smile and appreciate what I do. I feel a sense of fulfillment when I give succor to the less-privileged and when people feel lifted by the works I have done. That is the reward for me.’’

Obazele is satisfied with the progress Nollywood has recorded even if he thinks it can be better. However, unlike in the days of yore, Obazele notes that television no longer excites. He says: ‘’I recall back then that we used to race home to watch great soaps and serials like Check Mate, Ripples and so on. But all those have disappeared now because our television stations no longer commission programmes. They prefer to buy and slam cheap Mexican soaps. Elsewhere, stations commission programmes and where they cannot, they scout for very good programmes and share advertising proceeds with producers. That way they will be encouraging the growth and development of the local industry.’’

Obazele who spends his off work period “hanging out with the family” says he has no regrets being an entertainer. ‘‘I don’t regret anything and that is because I think a decision through before I take it. So I don’t regret anything. I will do this all over again should I have an opportunity to live life all over again,’’ he said.