Literature

The film aspect of me was formed from writing ? Sadisu Mohammed

Sadisu Mohammed, popularly known as Teacher Yekondunu, started as a writer but eventually becomes a famous actor. Beginning from Nollywood in 1997, Kannywood in 2002, he is now a colossus in the emerging Nupe film industry; Nupewood. In this interview with SUMAILA UMAISHA, the multi-talented writer and actor speaks about his writing and acting careers.

Let?s have a brief biography of Mohammed Sadisu, A.K.A Yekondunu, Sarkin Wasan Nupe.

I was born into the Goro family in Mokwa Local Government area of Niger State. I studied English in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State, and post-graduate studies in IAM Academy, Malaysia. I started my writing career in 1997. That was when I also started my film career in Nollywood where I produced a movie entitled Pages of Agony, which I wrote. In 2002, I moved to Kannywood where I directed movies like Firdausi and Zahariya. It was in 2006 that the idea of doing a Nupe movie was conceived by me. At the moment I have produced over 500 movies and musicals in Nupe. I combine acting and directing. In 2008, a respected, first-class monarch, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers turbaned me as Sarkin Wasan Nupe. I now teach Digital Film Techniques at the IBB University, Lapai.

What about your writing career?

As I said, I started writing seriously in 1997. My first creative work was a novel; The Alhaji's Adventure. It was a true life story I fictionalized. With it I went to ANA Niger, same year. My first published writing was a short story; A Dark Wednesday Morning in an anthology Cramped Rooms and Open Spaces which appeared in 1998. Thereafter I continued in that genre which led me to publishing Inaudible Noise (Kraft, 2003). I had written another novel since then and another volume of short stories, both still unpublished.

From writing you found yourself in acting. How and when did the acting career start?

I really can't remember when I first acted. But my major role that made me a household name in all Nupe speaking areas of Nigeria and beyond happened in 2005. It began with a film entitled Teacher Yekondunu where I played the role of Teacher Yekondunu, a hilarious character ? a name that has comfortably taken over my real name now. I really did not set out to act the role but fate made it happen as the man who was to play it refused to show up. We waited for him all day and on the second day, I took the role reluctantly and the film became an instant hit. It really turned out to be the first Nupe film to attract serious viewership attention.

What really inspired you into acting?

It is fate, passion and patriotism. Fate because, I was born an introvert. No one ever thought I could stand before a crowd and talk. I was the shy type too. While growing up I was doing well in Science subjects and later went to a Science college. There, I was introduced into debate by Barnabas Musa. I later became the darling of all in debate. My expressive nature was born from there on. After my secondary school, I met BM Dzukogi, the current General Secretary of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, where I started writing and published a collection of stories, Inaudible Noise (Kraft, 2003). In between writing and schooling, the film aspect of me was formed, naturally ? perhaps by the quest of wanting to be heard. In other words, the film aspect of me was formed from writing.

How would you compare the Hausa and Nupe film industries in terms of patronage?

The truth is that, there are more Hausas than the Nupes in Nigeria. As a result, Hausa movies are more patronized than ours. But I must say that, going by recent statistics, in spite of the wide market prospect theirs have over ours, Nupe movies and musicals tend to sell more than many Hausa movies. The reason is not far-fetched. The expertise with which Nupe film industry started was conspicuously absent in Kannywood. Again, in Nupewwood, as it is fondly called now, we separate clearly music videos from movies. We explore our cultural heritage in a very special way so much so that our productions are now wearing a universal outlook. Our current target is to shoot a Nupe movie that will win Oscar. So, patronage is not really an issue to us now. We want to claim the real banner of the Nigerian movie. That time, patronage from everywhere will be under our feet.

Would you say the acting career has enriched you?

Anything other than YES is being ungrateful to God. It has in all ramifications. Honour and respect to me and my family. A blessing to Nupe nation. It has created job opportunities to thousands. I can tell you, the Nupewood has grown beyond mere rating. I now have a family of my own, my parents are all alive. My bills are footed from Nupewood.

Is it only Charlie role you play in movies?

My first role was it. And I became famous for it. The Charlie character later became my trademark such that people laugh by merely sighting me. At times I wonder what really was funny about my attitude or speeches. But that is gradually fading away now. I have acted movies like Ewo'e Gbin, Eba Be Yimin, Auren Kenci, Ummaimah, etc, that somehow proved my versatility as not a one-sided actor.

Why do you prefer Charlie roles?

I really do not prefer being Charlie. Just that I love making people laugh because of the good side of laughter. Again, when you are known for something, producers love to exploit it for market benefits. And you cannot change their mind especially if they are willing to pay your fee, moreso that the script does not go against one's faith or other vital issues.

What challenges are you facing in the industry?

The main challenge is lack of support from government in terms of funding to attain international standard. But Nupewood is receiving special attention from Niger State government now. Piracy is another killing challenge. All other challenges are surmountable.

How do you think the challenges can be overcome?

They could be overcome by good government policies like what Niger State government, under Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, is doing now. An agency has been created now named Book Development Agency headed by BM Dzukogi. A film unit is to be established where Nupewood will soon be launched. This way budget that has always been a major setback for indigenous movies will be a thing of the past. In Nupewood we have no challenge of expertise, we can boast of having the best in all the 'woods' of Nigeria and even Africa. The least of our practioners are professionals, from the Malaysia's trained down to the New York Academy. Then workshops are always organised to update, upgrade and initiate practitioners. This can only be found in Nupewood. And I am talking from experience of one who has been everywhere of the 'woods'

What do you have to say to your fans?

I have not really started. I want them to be patient, my very best are yet to come. And I really need their prayers.

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