Nkem Owoh clarifies comments on Nollywood’s origins
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Post and MyJoyOnline
Nigerian actor Nkem Owoh, known as Osuofia, clarifies that his comments concerned the origins of video film in Nigeria, not the creation of Nollywood. He credits Yoruba filmmakers, including Hubert Ogunde, with a role in the early development of video film, while the name Nollywood emerged later, according to MyJoyOnline.
Nkem Owoh rejected the claim that he had said the Yorubas created Nollywood, explaining that his comments concerned the origins of video film in Nigeria, according to MyJoyOnline. He said the term “Nollywood” did not exist when he began making films with other directors.
The actor credits Yoruba filmmakers, notably veteran director Hubert Ogunde, with a role in the beginnings and popularisation of video film in Nigeria. He maintains that the Yorubas helped launch video film, but did not create Nollywood, a name adopted later following discussions within the film industry.
