MOST authoritative film journalists and historians regard him as one of the most popular Nigerian actors, directors and producers of northern extraction. They say the humble motion picture practitioner is one of the reasons the movie industry up North called “Kannywood” has enjoyed a lot of visibility lately. They also regard him as the King of Kannywood or “Sarkin Kannywood” in Hausa. Others describe him as a staunch advocate of collaboration between Nollywood and Kannywood; an initiative he hopes would lead to the entrance of Kannywood movies into the mainstream movie market. Enter the merciless self-critic, Sanni Muazu, who is undoubtedly one of the most exposed and experienced filmmakers in Nigeria.

Normally a very quiet person, who loves to stay indoor, Sanni’s emergence as the acclaimed ‘Sarki’ (King) of Kannywood is not difficult to explain. Sani started his career over three decades ago on television. He worked extensively on television between 1981 and 1990, producing several TV programmes on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), particularly NTA Jos and Plateau and Borno Radio Television stations. He was among the pioneer staff of Epitome Productions from 1990 to 1992 from where he established a modern media outfit Lenscope Media based in Jos, Nigeria.

A practitioner who is hungry for knowledge and admires intellectuals and progressives, Sani was doing well on television when he got the opportunity to work on two international film productions as a member of the crew. The first was Soweto, a 1986 Hollywood production directed by Mike Reburn and the second—Mister Johnson – a 1990 production directed by Bruce Beresford, featuring top stars like Edward Woodward, Pierce Brosnan, Maynard Eziachi and the late Hubert Ogunde. Sani, who holds a Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Jos, majoring in Film Production returned to the field after a stint on those film sets ready to take on more motion picture productions.

Always one to lead the Kannywood delegation to any important industry event and an alumni of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism where he was trained in News reporting and advance writing, Sani attended several courses on film both in Nigeria, Scotland and the United kingdom. He excelled in the local scene by acting in movies and television productions such as Behind The Clouds, Shadows and Webs. These programmes mainly featured on national television and were also syndicated across television stations in Nigeria.

The production force behind some critically acclaimed programmes on the NTA like Eclipse and Bakandamiya, a popular drama series in Hausa on NTA Jos, Sani has also recorded some feats on radio.  He, for a long time, handled A Dawo Lafiya and Garin Muna Fata, both radio drama series for the Society for Family Health.

In Sani’s directing pouch are television and movie productions like Fire on the Mountain, Eg’Igwe, Agumba, Dan Gari and Mountain Blues, an adventure movie, which he produced in 2007. The movie was voted the best feature film at the 2008 edition of the annual Abuja International Film Festival. Hafsah, another Hausa feature he produced and directed on HIV/AIDS for the BBC World Service Trust also has his signature as director. The movie is reputed as the first from Kannywood to earn three AMAA nominations.

Sani, who served as Production Manager on the set of Laraba, another acclaimed home video, has also scored some alpha as an actor.  Productions that have benefitted from his expert portrayal as an actor include Freedom in Chains, which was produced by UNFPA and has been screened across the continent. His most recent feature film production, Haaja, is in the wings awaiting formal local and international distribution.

At a time National President of Motion Picture Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN), Sani has functioned as National Information Adviser of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and he also served on the steering committee of the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPICON). He was the executive producer for the British Council’s ‘Reel Dialogue’ project in Nigeria and he also produced two documentary films—Chronicle of Success and Flow For Life for UNICEF and DFID

Sani, who is married with children and who has attended several film festivals, workshops and seminars, is optimistic about the future of the Nigerian motion picture industry. Sani says he envisages government eventual involvement in the funding of the lucrative movie industry.   Muazu wants government, through the agencies responsible for regulating the industry, to create the enabling environment for the industry to be fully exploited as a major foreign exchange earner for the country. He craves the kind of support obtainable in other climes.

Also, Sani wants government to provide essential infrastructure that will attract proper investment in the sector. “Right now, we are just driving the industry on our own. There has been no deliberate policy to attract real investment. Government needs to put in place a programme of incentives to be able to attract real investment to the sector. We desire real investors in the areas of production and distribution,’’ he says.   Shouldn’t a man of his acclaim be described as stupendously wealthy? Sani chuckles, and replies: “I wish so. I really wish so. But I thank Allah for everything. I am okay. At least, I can take myself from point A to B and I can provide for my family. So I thank Allah. But it can be better, especially if pirates allow us to reap the fruits of our labour.’’

Celebritygist… The rise and rise of Liz Anjorin

FAIR-SKINNED Yoruba actress, Lizzy Anjorin, is in the news for a good reason. The single mother has just been awarded the most outstanding actress award in the United States by Nigerian Fashion and Beauty Awards (NFB). Liz, who just wrapped up the shoot of her second movie in America, which she titled ‘Kofo the First Lady’ told celebritygist that she was delighted at the news that she was going to be honoured in a foreign land. “I consider the award a recognition of my work as an artiste and it has made me to become so very proud of myself and more importantly I am so proud that I am a Nigerian. I thank God for the talent he has given me and my fans and producers and colleagues for standing by me. I have enjoyed their support and I promise not to ever let them down,’’ she said.

Aki buries dad on June 22

ALL roads will definitely lead to Uzuakoli in Abia state on June 22 for the formal interment ceremony of Pa Ikedieze, father of one of Nigeria’s notable screen actors, Chinedu Ikedieze, MFR. Indeed the buzz in town is the interment ceremony in Uzuakoli and Chinedu Ikedieze popularly known as Nedu, has extracted a commitment from the leadership of the guilds and associations in Nollywood who have assured that June 22 will be declared ‘work free’ in honour of Pa Ikedieze.  Chinedu has also constituted ‘a small’ burial committee for the ceremony. “My father deserves a befitting burial and I will stop at nothing to give him one.” Chinedu declared.

Kelvin Ikedugba’s Car  Still ‘Off The Road’

SO, Nollywood actor, Kelvin Ikedugba, has not fixed his car since he had that near-fatal accident that claimed a better part of his car? Someone squealed to celebrity gist that the stocky actor has been jumping taxis for months now, suggesting that he has been unable to fix the car or acquire another one. Someone who knows someone who knows him said they saw him sweating profusely in a coloured taxi along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway returning to Lagos on Sunday. His fans say they have started praying for him to get over the accident so he can replace the ‘Jalopy’ with which he has been painting Lagos red!