Our Merveilleux Personnes of July 

Femi Akintunde-Johnson

In two days, the seventh month of the year would disappear into the history books. We therefore use these brief moments of remembrance to escalate and celebrate the exploits and impact of only a few of the marvelous characters we have had the pleasure of interacting with fairly closely, and could attest to their industry, humanity and, more often than not, creativity.

AKINTADE OGIDAN – 63 ON 16 JULY

Recognising, highlighting, and celebrating the persona and the character of Akintade Peter Ogidan is made even more hazardous by his famed mastery of eloquent ‘reclusivity’ while conjuring some artistic spectacle.  However, what we see up-close in the public and private intercourse of thoughts, actions and expressions, we cannot fail to admit that Tade is light years above his age and tenancy on earth. We are still in shock that he is only 63. 

His deliberate meticulousness, his offhanded joviality, his ponderously high-minded servitude to technical finesse and fidelity to the spirit of the written word, transformed into living entities…these are characteristics of a 50-60 year old savant in the body of the man whom I met in 1992, and I was completely mesmerized! He was then only 32! 

Tade has gone ahead to break grounds, and cement expectations in the exquisitely fickle world of movie making…while somehow making a mockery of the tales that creative geniuses are hopeless commercial engineers. Between film, video, and TV commercials – and few stuff in between – Tade has touched lives of those whose creative juices needed a fillip…whose geniuses can only glow fluorescent in the alluring hands of a master craftsman.

On a personal level, Tade is the right coordinator in your troubled corner… such that whether in person or as proxy, Tade’s words, warmth and wallet will make you wonder: “Is he for real? What does he want from me? Why is he doing this?” 

Let me assure you – the answers are simple: he’s Akintade… just trying to be a friend…expecting nothing in return! He’s just simply acting his eternal role on earth – just trying to be a good friend.  Simplicita! Without fuss… without trumpets… with a shy smile, and that hearty clucking laughter. 

Hearty congratulations to a silent, unruffled recluse with a profound touch of the tinsel-star-dust

OLUDOTUN JACOBS – 81 ON 11 JULY

Though he is now unable to titillate us with his pristine skills on stage, screen or satellite… Though he is ravaged by concerns of aging, and most especially the unrelenting onslaught of “major neurocognitive disorder”… Though the man whose piercing probing looks would melt the heart of Ajoke Silva with glee, warmth and love, now hardly poke her with simple jollity of mutual communion… we must never forget the glorious giftings Oludotun Bayewu Jacobs has bequeathed the thespian world. We must not be silenced by needling sympathy at the stumbling of a giant Iroko.

Jacobs turned 81 on Tuesday, 11 July, 2023…and the drums didn’t sound frenetic as it should…the cymbals were somewhat somnolent, almost shamefacedly. Nevertheless, we will always remember him in fondness and awe. This short rehash is in honour of a great man of gentle mannerisms and cheery charisma:

“Big in all ramifications. Nigeria’s most regarded active actor (male or female) is an icon on stage, film, television and video.  Oludotun Bayewu Jacobs has passed the great portals of the British National Theatre; has worked with some of the fathers of British post-modern feature films and television adventure dramas. With credits in Ashanti, Dogs of War, Pirates and Vigilante, few if any, can measure up to the pearly acting skills of this Ogun State-born thespian. Let’s look up some of his big-screen credits for clarity – Movies: Customs Officer in The Dogs of War (1980), Col. Nsogbu in Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985); Boomako in Pirates (1986), and the crime celluloid, Vigilante (1988)…

  Longevity doesn’t necessarily bestow prestige; it is deep in his haystacks of creative credits. Look and see his bulging TV series portfolio: The Goodies (1971), Spyder’s Web (1972), Till Death Us Do Part (1974 and 1981), The Venturers,  Barlow (both 1975), Centre Play, The Crezz (both 1976); Musa Ladipo in Angels (1976-1983), 1990, The Tomorrow People, Storyteller in Jackanory (all 1978), Ashanti, Sylvester in The Professionals, Not the Nine O’Clock News (all 1979); President Gadin in Squadron (1982), African Doctor in The Mad Death (1983), Rumpole of the Bailey, Mr. Alabaster in The Witches and the Grinnygog (both 1983); Play for Today (1984); and Inspector Best Idafa in The Third Eye (1990–1993)…

OJ-Naija, as pals of yore were fond of calling him, is married to the talented veteran actress, Joke Silva since 1985, and has consistently worked hard at his craft to amaze his audiences in every of his performances – irrespective of the locale or the culture.

 When he deigned to check out what all the fuss about Nollywood was, he got sucked in…to the tune of no less than 500 flicks! He had an uncanny capacity to morph into the Igbo cosmology, and typecast a troubled or somnolent Eze (king) effectively… helped by his imposing gait and big tremulous voice…

The phrase “home alone” was non-existent for Jacob in 2007 with almost 40 videos shot that year, all over the country! Here’s a deep cut: Mirror of Beauty, African Soldier, Burning Kingdom, Eewo Orisa, Kingdom Apart, Lost in the Jungle, Mountains of Evil, Odudu Kingdom, Royal Destiny, Show Me Heaven, Slave to Lust, The Prince and Me, and Warrior’s Heart…

It is therefore not out of place that most of today’s budding (and established) stars gaze at O. J. as a beacon, an inspirational fire-fly whose influence on the acting world is phenomenal. It feels really great to have an Olu Jacobs amongst us…”

OLUFUNSO IGE – 70 ON 7 JULY 

Over three years ago, while felicitating this exemplary gentleman and his pleasant wife on the glorious commemoration of their 40th wedding anniversary, I caused some of the following words to be published. Permit us to rehash some of those “frames” today to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Olufunsho Akintunde Ige… a man of indescribable finesse, panache and genteel bravura. 

His dignified and calm mien may lull you to “misbehave” around him – then you will receive and embrace a sweetly lacerated reprimand that will reset your confusion and clarify any ambiguity in your character make-up. Yet, you are conditioned to remain with him in dignified and beneficent friendship.

Long Shot: He is the very vision of the lingo: cool, calm and collected. He walks silently, with a slightly imperceptible swagger, and steady calculated steps…blessing his surroundings with a shy smile, hardly noticed, unless he breaks his strides. His carriage, with barely hunched shoulders, and unaggressive suaveness, is a notice boardxaa for friendliness, hospitality, kindness and genuine desire to save a soul from perdition. 

Close-Up Shot: He is passionate about God and His word, and can go without food (mindless of time and distance) just so that you who seem confused may receive clarity and understanding about the stance of God in the affairs of men. A committed teacher, a vigorous scholar, a steady administrator, a pleasant mediator/counselor, a doting father of four girls (sorry, women – Bimbo, Motunde, Lola and Eniola)…

 Calm of behaviour, cool of visage, relentless of passion where subjects border on God, love, family, prayer, leadership and sacrifice. Few men have the “combined honours” of being a lover, a father, a leader, a follower, an intercessor, and a servant – successfully. I know one in Olufunso Akintunde Ige. Remain Cool, sir.

OF RMD, NORBERT & MAHMOOD

We have also been blessed with the continuing good health and contributions of fabulously popular actor, publisher, writer and producer, Richard Mofe Damijo (aka RMD) who clocked 62 on 6 July; the magnificent method actor, Norbert Young who turned 63 on 3 July; and notable documentarian and filmmaker, Mahmood Ali Balogun, 64 on July 19. To them, and others which space would not permit us to elaborate, Hearty Felicitations!