I’m Simply Obessed With Filmmaking - Abdullahi Agara Odukoya

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I’m Simply Obessed With Filmmaking - Abdullahi Agara Odukoya

He eats, drinks, breathes, thinks and dreams the Fulani worldview, yet he is of Yoruba stock. He also defends the cause of the Fulani race and the passion runs deep in his vein when doing so.

Perhaps, this is because he was born in their midst and has lived with them ever since.

However, beneath all these is the fact that his maternal background ties him up to the people known widely for their nomadic life. His mother is Fulani from Chad.

Salihu Othman Isah brings you this story of a versatile actor, producer, director and scriptwriter who became the first and only known producer of Fulani films.

Born Abdullahi Agara Odukoya to late Suleiman Odukoya, aka Sunny Lion Heart, a very popular musician of his time and Hajiya Shatu, he trained in the art of production in England and the United States.

Early Life "I started my education at the local Islamiyya school at Mubi, in the old Gongola State (now Adamawa State) where I was born about 30 years ago. I later graduated from there to attain Western education at a primary school where I had the privilege of spending just four years, instead of the mandatory six. Because of my brilliance, I gained double promotion twice. I even won laurels as the best overall pupil in two consecutive years in the old Gongola State. So, subsequently, I gained admission into Yelwa Secondary School, Yola, where I finished but had to move over to Tchad where I enrolled for Theatre Arts. Upon graduation, I proceeded back home".

Aspects of Production "I am into Fulani, Hausa and English films. I have produced for my fans in the three languages".

Influences"My desire for the industry got triggered off by the fact that the true picture of Nigeria is not fully portrayed to the world.

Another reason which motivated me is that, though I am a Muslim, I don't like the ways Christians are marginalized by the Northern close up. We wanted to show the world the way we are living in the Northern part of the country, however, the situation is not properly captured in the Hausa films. You see, hardly can you find an Isaac, Johnbull, Emmanuel, Juliet, Jennifer, Emeka, Ola or Tunde in these films. Yet, the North comprise such people and their tribes.

All you see are Alhajis, Mallams and Malamas, etc. For instance, if you go to Plateau, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno, Benue, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe and even in Kano State, you see Muslims and Christians interacting well. They interact fine and beautifully. So, the picture must be painted well. It must reflect that real aspect of us. But what's happening today in most of the Hausa films does not reflect these trends at all. In spite of these lapses, we still expect the Northern Christians to buy these films. Look, whether we like it or not, the Christians constitute about forty-five per cent (45%) of our total population in the North and yet we keep marginalizing them. This is not fair. Our films should showcase One Nigeria, One People, One Love. Religion is something of the mind, since it is all about faith".

Categorization of Films "There are different categorization of films-horror, historical and religious etc. At one point or the other, we will have to go into all these aspects. So, if you think you're patriotic then you must keep producing historical and cultural films. At least, they also have a space in the film market. The same goes for those who profess religions. They also have a portion of the market. But I am of the opinion that a good hunter never aim to shoot two birds with one stone. We making Fulani films genre stick to this point of view or philosophy.”

Production Outfits“We have two distinct film production outfits in the Fulani film empire. They are Kautal Falaku Film Production which deals mainly in the promotion of Fulani culture and showcasing the race to the world. We showcase the Fulanis, culturally, religiously, mentally and physically while we educate, entertain and pass vital information to our people and the outside world.”

Abdullahi Agara who was on the technical crew of Bruce Berelsford’s Mr. Johnson, disclosed that the other arm of the outfit is known as Riders. This one deals with modern aspects of life, viz, action, love, adventure etc.

His works“I featured in a Fulani film, Chede Sodata Yide (meaning, 'Money don't buy love) which I wrote, directed and played the role of a stuntman. I also acted in 'Money, the Everybody's Competition'. This one was done in English and I wrote and directed it. The other one in Hausa, Kasaramu Ta Gado (meaning, Our Land of Heritage) is my other production. I equally played a role, as well as scripted and served as its director".

Best Nigerian films Abdullahi has a knack for good flicks and so when asked his bests in the Nigerian home video industry; he revealed that, the film, Juliet Must Die is his best. "But in the Hausa films, I don't know. Because if you watch the so called films we produce here, you can hardly select. You cannot distinguish between which of them are films and which ones are dramas. So, it's hard for one to say, heh! This is my favourite.”

Role Models For a young intelligent man who was discovered and honed by a foreigner, Mr. Karl Jurgeson who led the technical crew of Mr. Johnson, he disclosed to Nollywood that in spite of all obstacles and frustrations he is facing on the job, especially due to envy by his colleagues who sees him as a threat, he boasted.

“Nobody can dim my stars”. So for that reason he looks up to some star on top the industry for inspiration.

"My role model is Antar Laniyan and Ali Hamisu Indabawa. Outside the country, I like Master P (Pasley Miller). These guys are real human beings. I mean, I'll need a long sheet of paper to draw up their good qualities. But, most of all, they are simply God -fearing.”

Self Idolation"What makes me tick is the fact that I love the job much more than the financial inducements. I am simply obsessed with it. Besides, it took me some time to be where I am today. I research into a lot of aspects of the industry just to make films. For instance, I know the computer fairly well to know what it is capable of doing and what it can't

"I mean I have to learn almost everything necessary in the industry right from lighting, camera, directing, editing, scripting, close up to acting, amongst others. “Watch one Fulani film and you'd get hooked forever. Live! No doubt about it”, he assured.