A Business man and a company owner, a Movie Producer and also a
humanitarian, Chigozie Zeribe Wanodi a.k.a "Zegon", has Urged the Federal
Government to put more efforts in the development of Nollywood, saying the
industry is so large and can boost the country's Economic potentials. Read
his interview below:
Introduction Sir?
My Names Are Zeribe Chigozie Wanodi.AKA.Zegon. Am from Rivers State Ikwere
L.G.A .I grew up in Imo State and attended Isiala Mbano Community Secondary
School, which is where my Mother came from. In my School Days, I know I was
a brilliant student that came from a bad system. So, I decided to do
something and go into business and production, because nobody will give me
if i don't have.
What do you do sir?
I'm an entrepreneur, I manage my personal business of portable production
and some manufacturing as well as creating ideas for other SMEs on creative
designs of their products packaging, and I'm also a movie maker. I am not
making too much of profit but i try my best to still help people in the
society in my own little way. I am a busy man and between My Business and
Movie making, i rarely have time for myself.
You say you're a movie maker, what is your advice to the Government about
Nollywood?
I think government's intervention was negative. They didn't do enough
research before intervening. Another thing they did wrong was giving people
license to rent out our movies. If you have an alternative to buying,
people will choose the alternative. 85% of those who could buy movies now
rent, Now, you have people that are licensed to mass-produce your works
without recourse to you.
I started thinking of the effect of Business to have a Basic life. I don't
like the idea where you only give admission to brilliant students who pass
the common entrance and reject those that failed. Afterwards, you would say
your school produced excellent students when you selected excellent
students in the first place. I say no to that method. The challenge of
being a school proprietor is to change that boy from a dull-head to
all-brain. We believe every parent's dreams is achievable in the school.
With some kinds of movies being produced do you think God is in Nollywood?
God wouldn't be angry because what we do in home video is like a ministry.
Our stories are interactive, they are like things you hear from the pulpit.
It is about the triumph of good over evil. I see it more like ministry.
Before we started home video, the issue of step mothers maltreating their
step children was rampant. We explored them extensively and that helped a
lot.
Do you think the religious bodies will agree with you?
I see the religious bodies as the alternative government. If you say the
government out there is corrupt, you should provide alternative governance.
We all know that religious bodies e.g churches is a big organization with
sources of revenue generation e.g tithes, offerings etc and can
conveniently complement the government in making life better for the
masses. Look at Jesus that preached to millions of people, he did not have
a church building. Is it that Jesus could not have built the biggest hall
if he so desired? You see this idea of building gigantic and ultra modern
church buildings is vanity. All these big buildings can be converted into
hospitals to save people on the street because Jesus came for the poor on
the streets.
I am God-fearing but I feel if those efforts were converted into missionary
schools where those who pay tithe will not have to go through hell to pay
their children's school fees, then the church would be doing the work of
the kingdom. Churches should not lose their major focus. The focus of the
church is to redeem people on the streets. Bible says Jesus was doing good
everywhere he went. How many of our pastors' lives are characterized by
that goodness? They (pastors) now drive posh cars trying to compete with
governors.That is fine, they should look at the poor and should do the
basic job of the church. There should be no hungry orphans and widows in
the churches.
what was your bitterest betrayal?
The bitterest betrayal I'd never forget My Mother told me that my worst
undoing would be with people I call friends. I did not know what it was
until I was badly betrayed. I now keep only business relationships. Is
something of the past and wish not to talk about it anymore.
What about Girls, you being a movie producer you must have tonnes of them
flocking around you?
I'm no longer playing "Mungo Park" with women. I've become more brotherly
to my fans because I realized that they look up to me as a role model. You
have to be a counselor to ladies than discovering what they have between
their legs. I prefer to be my sister's keeper than being a "Mungo Park".
"Mungo Park" discovered River Niger, I don't want to discover the girls
(general laughter).
What About Success, will you call yourself a success?
Success is being able to give back to the society. I have empathy for the
people on the street. The people you call area boys, I don't see them as
such. I just see them as stranded individuals. The youths are losing depth.
It is when you are able to change lives, not when you have so much money. I
think people can look at me and say I've changed lives. If you can give
back to the society, you are successful.
You quoted your mother earlier, how is your Relationship with your Mother?
Any child that does not remember his mother is eating fruits of sorrow.It's
always good to know your history, and always remember your Mother and pray
for her, and do all your best to make her happy. Because they are
wonderful. Hot Advice from this young business man, Nollywood Movie Maker
and a humanitarian .
Are you on social media, how can your fans reach you?
Yes i am on facebook and my fans can reach me via this link
https://www.facebook.com/zeribe.chi
