Anuli Ajagu’s ‘Praise Party’ Set to Dazzle the Nigerian Movie Scene

Mary Nnah 

Nigerian-Canadian, Anuli Ajagu, the CEO of Brampton Productions and Founder of RevAnuli Inc.,  is set to dazzle the Nigerian movie scene with her movie titled, ‘Praise Party’. With ‘Praise Party’, Ajagu is set for her cinematic debut, an exciting family-friendly Nollywood film, billed to hit the cinemas next month. 

Premiering in Lagos on November 5th and going to the cinemas nationwide, on November 10th, the star-studded production boasts an exceptional cast including Kunle Remi, Keppy Ekpenyong, Eberechukwu Bayray Nwizu, Tina Mba, Sola Fosudu, Chioma Nwosu, Arinze Okonkwo, amongst others. 

Written and produced by  Ajagu, herself, the movie directed by Obi Martins, a US-based thespian, illustrates the dynamics of mental and emotional trauma.

Set in Nigeria, it also highlights the importance of community, seeking professional help, and how taking responsibility, counselling, faith, courage and forgiveness can be therapeutic; bringing healing and restoration to hurting souls.

 Praise Party explores the complex dynamics of Tobe Thompson’s narcissistic behaviour towards his wife, Zara Thompson, and brings to the fore, the influence of unresolved childhood trauma, privilege, and injustice. 

Zara’s character endures extreme emotional abuse and social stigma resulting from marital breakdown and infertility. Through this compelling narrative, the film sheds light on real-life issues that many African families experience, but often sweep under the carpet.

Combining elements of drama and psychological thriller, the movie hopes to offer a thought-provoking, breathtaking cinematic experience.

Praise Party, which began garnering international accolades way ahead of its cinematic release on July 8th won the coveted ‘Best International Film,’ at the prestigious Charlotte Black Film Festival, North Carolina. The film was also an official selection, and screened at the Canada China International Film Festival (CCIFF) opening weekend, on July 15, 2023, in Montreal Canada. On August 31st, at the CCIFF closing gala awards in Montreal, Ajagu was awarded ‘Best Producer,’ for the film, Praise Party.

Ajagu first graced the Nigerian TV screen in the 1990s, captivating audiences with her role as Gloria in the hit soap opera, “Fortunes”. Acting alongside stars such as Ramsey Nouah, Regina Askia, and Liz Benson, Anuli established herself as a talented thespian. 

She holds a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Jos in Nigeria, where she graduated in 1991, focusing primarily on playwriting. She also has a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication, as well as a post-graduate diploma in Journalism. She’s currently a doctoral student at Royal Roads University, BC, Canada.

Fresh out of the university, she wrote and produced a stage production called ‘Painful Silhouette,’ directed by a friend and co-thespian, Victor Dugga. It was a contemporary play, a ticketed event and people showed up, including the General Manager of Plateau Radio Television at the time, Mr. Leo Keyen.

The performance received a standing ovation and spontaneous recognition from Mr. Keyen. He offered her an opportunity to collaborate with the Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTC) as a scriptwriter, and to come up with 13 episodes of scripts with exciting moral messages like she had done with “Painful Silhouette.”

That stint was, however, short-lived, having been interrupted by political instability in Nigeria, forcing her and her family to relocate to Lagos from Jos, North-Central Nigeria, in 1993.

While working behind the scenes as a props personnel at the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Lagos, fate landed her a role in the then newly-launched soap opera, ‘Fortunes.’ Ajagu’s portrayal of Gloria alongside Ramsey Nouah’s character made her a household name, thanks to the soap opera’s nationwide success.

Following this, in 1995, Ajagu took a break to start a family and focused on other expressions like her NGO, Youth and Gender Network, authoring books, and spearheading ministry initiatives.

A prolific writer, she has over 300 published articles in various media including columns that she wrote for National Dailies and Magazines in Nigeria.

 Perturbed by the resolve to leave a legacy, in 2005, she decided to journey into her first love, the creative arts. That culminated in a successful stage play ‘Turning Point,’ written and produced by her in Lagos. 

This strengthened her resolve to not give up on her dream to become a film producer.

And so, in her 50s, she picked up her dream of over three decades and fanned its spark into a flame. Overcoming the challenges of financing a film project and getting the best on board, she flew to Lagos from Canada, in April 2022 and shot the film, ‘Praise Party’. 

Plans are underway for Praise Party’s theatrical release in Canada and the United States of America.