Author celebrates 16 Nollywood female directors

A new book, titled Ladies Calling the Shots, written by Niran Adedokun, was, on Monday, presented in Lagos.

The book celebrates 16 outstanding Nollywood female directors.

Adedokun said he focused on them to serve as an inspiration for upcoming directors and to highlight their contributions to the creative industry.

The ladies are Lola Fani-Kayode, Amaka Igwe, Remi Vaughan-Richards, Midred Okwo, Patience Oghre-Imobhio, Tope Oshin, Stephanie Linus, Adeola Osunkojo, Blessing Egbe, Belinda Yanga-Agedah, Ola Selhurst, Ena Edosio, Omoni Oboli, Grace Edwin-Okon, Funke Fayoyin, Vanessa Nzediegwu and Ronke Macaulay.

Speaking at the event held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, Adedokun commended the ladies for standing out among their peers.

He said, “Directors, by the nature of their work, call the shots. Everybody knows that men have been doing these things. There is so much focus on what men do without realising that there are women who do the same and are doing it well.

“I have chronicled the lives of the ladies – their trials and triumphs. There are certain things that influenced where they are today and that is what we have in the book.”

Commenting on the project, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said it would help to boost the interest of females in the  film industry.

He  said, “You have done a great job by recognising a special part of Nollywood. You deserve  kudos too. The kind of support we (Lagos State Government) are giving to the creative industry is much. This is to say that salvation does not lie with agriculture only, but also in creative economy and that is why we are supporting the creative industry.”

One of the directors featured in the book, Okoh, commended the author for finding the 16 directors worthy.

She urged that more efforts should be made to document the roles of females in the creative industry.

A media executive, Toni Kan, who reviewed the book, described it as a tribute and celebration, handbook and moving history.

He said, “Nollywood actors have fared better than their peers in other parts of the world. This book is important, timely and ground breaking.

“There is a need to document the successes, nemesis and achievements of our creative directors. We must begin to write about people who are great.”

Source: Punch