By Olawale Olaleye
After nearly four years of hard work and incredible investment of both material and human resources, in an attempt to shatter the ceiling and create something novel, Makemation – the first ever Nigerian AI film – is finally out for the pleasure of the curious public.
Too many things stand out about this idea. But the novelty is it! Conceived and nurtured to maturity by a renowned social entrepreneur and scholar, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, who had put in almost all of her social capital with a very high networth of network, MAKEMATION is definitely a Nigerian pride.
Unfamiliar but identifiable with an everyday connection, Makemation is a focus on the trajectory of a promising young girl from a rural part of the cosmopolitan Lagos in Nigeria, who would stop at nothing to leverage AI and technological innovation to plug some of the difficulties an average youth in Africa contends with in their quest for a better life.
The staggering blend of the very old and budding young actors across the different genres of the movie industry, raises requisite excitement about the mindset of Akerele-Ogunsiji and her capacity to do the impossible with Nigeria’s limited local resources.
Pause a moment and run through the cast list: Richard Mofe Damijo, Shaffy Bello, Tomi Ojo, Yvonne Jegede, Tony Umez, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Jide Kosoko, Chuks Joseph, Adeoluwa Akintoba, Ali Nuhu, Wumi Toriola, and Toyin Afolayan.
The others are Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga, Mayowa Aderoju, Ibrahim Chatta, Michael Dappa, Nifemi Lawal, Chiamaka Uzokwe, Sapphire Ekeng, Chimezie Imo, Idara Peniel Ekaidem, Promise Agbor, Chioma Edak, Jude Chukwuka, Damilola Ogunsi, Kameel Audu, Lawal Michael Nasiru (Nasboi), Adesege Adeniji and Osas Okonyon.
However, between the storyline and the initiator of this idea is one thing: the “can do” spirit of the typical Nigerian. Consider this effort all of Akerele-Ogunsiji’s life for now, and you might still be scratching the issue on the surface.
Where would you rather start from? The sleepless nights or the times she was overwhelmed and would resort to crying her eyes out for temporary relief?
Perhaps you should be keen to know how much toll this had taken on her lean purse?
But tough, resilient, unbreakable and never giving up too easily, Akerele-Ogunsiji, many times got back on her feet, cleaned up her face, buckled up her chin strap, sleeves rolled up and returned to location.
She’s not just a woman; she’s a Nigerian woman who is toughest in the face of challenges and is always resolved to overcome situations. The average black woman is wired like that, and the Nigerian woman, like a case study, is a different variant.
Good news: The baby, Makemation, has been delivered – safe and sound – and in good condition. Mother and child are doing very well. Those who thought it would be a stillborn, die at birth, or even proposed abortion at conception must be living with inexplicable regrets and hurting badly from within. It is the consequence of their envy and little faith.
This is also why Akerele-Ogunsiji does not have to dissipate energy, worrying about those who had attempted to challenge her claim to making the “first ever AI movie” after failing to live their own dream. Like the late Afro Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo, noted in one of his lyrically deep songs, “Owo ki f’un owo l’orun.”
In other words, businesses do not have to strangle each other for one to succeed or survive. The beauty is in competition. After all, the sky is wide enough for birds to fly without getting involved in accidents.
My dear Akerele-Ogunsiji should, therefore, remain focused, continue to do her thing, and market her idea in whatever ways she deems best for her work. Do yours, too, and seek help if you need one, eyin abinu eni. All ye haters!
Many congratulations, Akerele-Ogunsiji. In the end, this shall be the least of the many great and hugely challenging efforts you’d be seen to have put in the works. Welcome to another sphere of making our crazy world a better place.
Onto the next…
