23rd October, 2021
By Daniels Ekugo
A new movie to be entirely shot on a movie train – Lagos to Ibadan rail route is underway as The Nigerian Railway Corporation has given the nod to Award-winning film producer, Rogers Ofime to commence work.
Ofime is renowned for his daring movies.
He holds degrees in Dramatic Arts and Theatre Arts from the Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan respectively.
Announcing his latest project, he said “It is with great excitement that we announce the unveiling of a new film experience, the first of its kind in this part of Africa. Great movie production has been achieved in Nollywood over the years. Native Media and our other colleagues in the industry have consistently kept the Nigerian flag flying.
“However, for the first time in Nigeria and in most of Africa, a movie will be shot almost entirely on a moving train. It is indeed a great feat for us at Native Media, the Nigerian movie industry, and Nigeria as a nation,” he continued at the Ebute-Metta train station, Lagos.
The producer, who lauded the Buhari administration’s strides in infrastructural development, particularly the revamp of rail transport, explained that the movie would help showcase the country in a positive light.
“We believe progress should be acknowledged and applauded, and we also believe we can change the Nigerian narrative, and the stories of our nation and our people are told in a positive light despite our agelong challenges. We are using this opportunity to showcase the Nigerian project and how far we have come in infrastructural development, especially as these trains can be compared to what obtains anywhere in the world.
“It is a good step in the right direction, and we ought to be proud of this as a people. With Native Media taking the lead on a project of this nature, we believe more movie production companies will take a cue from this initiative and do more of promoting our nation’s laudable achievements.”
The producer of ‘Voiceless’, a Hausa language movie that explores the plight of male Boko Haram abductees and the difficulty of re-integrating them, added that the movie would not have been possible without the support of the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi, staff of the Ministry and MD/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria.
Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, who played a starring role in ‘Oloibiri’, is featuring in ‘Conversations in Transit’ alongside Rhama Sadau, Uzee Usman, Yvonne Nelson, and others.
‘Conversations in Transit’ is written by Tope Bolade-Akinbode and Dichie Enunwa, with Robert Peters directing.
Ummi Baba Ahmed, according to Ofime, “brought the idea for this project forward.”
Ofime said the movie would be a fun project and premiere on a moving train.
The CEO of Native Media called for support and partnerships from brands and institutions “as we promote the Nigerian image before a global audience. Your partnerships and sponsorship will go a long way as we proceed on this project.”