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BY ADA DIKE
Touched by
his ardent support for Nollywood, some stakeholders of the Nigerian Creative
Industry converged at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria
Island, Lagos on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 in honour of the Special Adviser to
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Late
Oronto Douglas.
Before the
event kicked off around 7 Pm, the atmosphere was moody and somber, as many
people discussed in hushed voices.
The tribute
night had a large turnout of movie actors, producers, director and musicians
who dressed wore mostly in white dresses..
Though
actors and singers wailed as they eulogized the Nollywood ally, they thrilled
the guests with songs and performances. Below are bits of things that happened
at the tribute night:
Exhortation
After the
opening prayer led by the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America,
Prof Ade Adefuye, an actor, Ramsey Nouah read the first lesson
which was taken from the book of Isaiah Chapter 25 from verse six to nine. Amiable
actress, Monalisa Chinda, read the second lesson from 2 Corinthians Chapter
five from verse six to ten.
Veteran actress, Hilda Dokubo, who took the exhortation titled: “Death
has been swallowed up in victory,” took her text from the book 1 Corinthians 15
verses 20 to 28.
She said, “When we heard that Oronto had passed on, some of us broke down
and cried. If you cried, congratulations. At least you found a way to express
the feeling inside. Tears are very cleansing. When some of us heard he had gone
home, we only asked questions: “God why?” Why not? His work here on earth was
done. “
According to her, everyone on earth is a stranger sent by God on an errand.
“Oronto emptied himself in all of us. We all remember him for the good he had
done. Some of us do nothing but haunt others. Some of us keep all God has given
us for us alone. We are so selfish and self centered that if the trumpet sounds
today and we all need to go home, we have no way to go because we can’t return
to God who created us. Until you are born with the spirit you cannot see God.
Oronto has gone to be with God and I am sure he is smiling there. He told his
friends not cry because his job was done on earth,” Dokubo said.
She added that though his departure seemed impromptu, it is not how long
but how well.
She encouraged everyone to be strong and bear the philanthropist’s
departure. “Oronto lives on! Death
did not conquer Oronto Douglas, he conquered death. “
Encomiums
Nigerians have
lost a very good man –Nigerian Ambassador
to the United States of America, Prof Ade Adefuye.
He left a legacy that will be
very difficult to match – High Chief Duke
The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, read a poem
before saying that Oronto’s few years on
earth provided people with the memory of a distinguished career of a committed
patriot, of a human being whose heart and mind is perhaps the very best that
defines us as Nigerians. He described him as a great scholar, erudite writer, a
deep thinker, a man who had charted the path that brought our creative industry
even to this point in time. This country may not understand the loss that we
suffer today. “This is not a loss of a war general, but a loss of a general, a
propagator of love, a man who lived in the trenches of the Niger Delta,
provided leadership and lit the torch that illuminated the paths of this
industry. He delivered in a very short time he was with us.
“He
left a legacy that will be very difficult to match. When I look at his son, my
thought goes not only to him but to children in the Niger Delta and across
Nigeria who will not know him except through his writings.”
He lived for Nigeria -Dr. peter Obi
Former Anambra State Governor and the Chairman of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Peter Obi, said he met
Oronto by default. “As a governor, we came for a meeting in the villa …we saw
something going wrong and all of us knew it was going wrong but nobody could
say it was wrong. Suddenly, this guy came from nowhere, walked close to me and
said: “No, no, no this is totally wrong”. I said, “thank God, at least somebody
could say it’s wrong and walk away free. To some of us, we knew if we could say
it and before you know it, impeachment. So we kept quiet. And I asked someone
who he was and they told me he’s Oronto. From that day, whenever I had an issue,
I went to Oronto and he remained himself.”
The
SEC Chairman who came with his wife, Margaret, said there are three people namely,
King Hussein I of Jordan, former Minister of Information and
Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili and Pope John Paul 11 who did what Oronto
Douglas did –they were dying but praying for those who were alive. “We met some
weeks ago before he died and he spent his time talking about the future of Nigeria.
As we all celebrate Oronto, help build Nigeria. Oronto served Nigeria and lived
for Nigeria and all of us. May we live for Nigeria.”
We
have lost a voice -Emeka Onwuocha
The Special Assistant to the President on Research, Emeka E. Onwuocha, said Oronto was a
good man in everything and hinted that he was always straight to the point.”He
loved his subordinates. He was an epitome of dedication, a master of
resolution, a dogged fighter and a worthy and trusted friend,a leader and
partner. His life was an epitome of honesty. We have lost a voice, but forever,
we shall preach his message.”
He made so many actors to believe in themselves
-Ibinabo Fiberesima
“Oronto
believed so much in the creative industry because he was creativity personified,”
said the embattled President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo
Fiberesima.
She further said he made so many actors to believe in themselves. “You
made a difference. You were there consistently and always with love. You
listened, talked, supported, comforted and straightened. You lived a special
life and great care and words cannot describe how much that means.”
He was an angel sent to us -Omoni
Oboli
“Oronto worked for us, fought for us and did so without asking anything.
I can tell you that for free. Oronto came at a time he was needed. He did his
work and he left. That is why he’s an angel sent to us by God. (She wept).
He was humble and approachable - AFRIFF
boss, Chioma Ude
The founder
and chief executive of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF, said that Oronto had a non negotiable stand on
loyalty and was a great friend. She broke down and walked out of the podium.
We have lost a great man -Genevieve
Nnaji
In a sober mood, Genevieve said she didn’t imagine a day would come like
that day that she would have to speak about Oronto. “Friends, we had a great
man and heaven has received an angel. I was privileged to know him not just as
a lover of Nollywod but as a friend and he was someone I could lean on. Oronto
Douglas had a listening ear and a helping hand. If he couldn’t help, he would
introduce you to someone who could. You always left his presence with hope that
it would be fine. And when you are leaving his presence, he would thank you for
taking from him. He touched me and all I am today has evidence of that. My
brother, my friend, Oronto Douglas, words fail me and tears is still flowing.
But I take solace in the fact that you fought a good fight and finished the
race. Sleep on.”
I have lost a friend and brother -Peace
Anyiam-Osigwe
“The birth of AMAA marked the beginning of his association with Nollywood
and the Nigerian film industry. AMAA and Nollywood will sorely miss you. I have
particularly lost a friend and brother. Rest well, OD,” said the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of African Movie Academy Award (AMAA), Peace
Anyiam-Osigwe.
Oronto lived a life worthy of emulation -Kate Henshaw
He gave everything -Rita Dominic
Actress Rita Dominic said she could not believe it when she got a call
about Oronto’s death and felt it was too soon because there were so much he
wanted to do and so much he wanted them to do. “He gave everything. He always
put the collective interest first. He believed in a country where everyone
could live and prosper.
Segun Arinze said Oronto was simplicity personified and added that he was
easy going and gentle.
He was a man on a mission -Timi Dakolo
Meanwhile, giving his closing remarks, Special Consultant to the
President, Dimieari Von Kemedi, emphasized that courage was one quality that Oronto
had throughout his relationship with people and his struggles. “He mobilized
the people of the Niger Delta to call for resource control and championed
things that brought about change to people of the Niger Delta.
In his vote of thanks, the Managing Director/CEO for Asset
Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, showered accolades
on Late Douglas and promised to support Oronto’s family. “As long as I live,
Oronto’s family will be taken care of.”
Music
The tempo of
the music played and songs sang at the event was low. Supported by his band, one
of Nigeria’s best gospel artistes, Sammy Okposo, led everyone in most of the songs
and hymns sang that night and they include: “Candle in the Wind” (composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin), “Fading Away Like the Stars of the
Morning”, “Old rugged Cross”, “It is Well”, “You Raised Me Up” by Josh Groban
and Oronto’s favourite choruses such as: “All the Glory be to the Lord in the
Highest,” “What Shall We Do Today?” “You Alone Are Worthy Lord” and “Praise the
Lord”.
Timi Dakolo rendered "I'll Be Missing You", a song recorded by American rapper
Puff Daddy and American singer Faith Evans. He also sang, “Wish Me Well”, his
first single in 2015, produced by Cobhams.
Stage Performance
Some Nollywood actresses led by Monalisa Chinda, Hilda Dokubo and Rita
Dominic, alongside other artistes performed a fertility dance titled “The
Orgasmic Right of Women,” culled from a book Oronto planned to publish before
he died.
The dancers sang: “They tried to steal our right, our orgasmic right …”
and wriggled their waists, which attracted resounding applause.
Documentaries
A
documentary on his life as an activist and activities including his photographs
was showed. Another documentary on eulogies by the President of Nigeria, President
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, when they visited Douglas’
home in Abuja to commiserate with his wife was also aired. Mr. President described him as a strong willed
person and good man.
Guests
Late Douglas’ child,
Ogiel, and his brother, Otonye Douglas, were at the tribute night. Other guests
include: Political
activist and National Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba socio-political
organisation, Afenifere, Comrade Yinka Odumakin and many actors and singers.
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| Guests |
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L-R Kate Henshaw, Ramsey
Nouah, Monalisa Chinda, Segun Arinze and Hilda Dokubo at tribute night
organised by the Nigerian Creative Industry recently. Photo by Abiodun Omotosho
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