By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A Nigerian filmmaker, Mr Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, also referred to Okey Ogunjiofor, has expressed dismay over a report linking him with a purported endorsement of the Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodinma, for transforming the state.
In a statement, the respected Nollywood icon, who produced the award-winning Amina, said he was not part of the movie practitioners, who visited Mr Uzodinma as reported by one of the leading newspapers in the country.
He described the report as “terrible journalism” and demanded a retraction of the story as he was not in the state as claimed by the reporter.
“My attention has been drawn to a news article circulating on various news and social media platforms in the public domain titled Nollywood stars heap up encoumiums on Uzodimma for Imo state transformation as published by Vanguard newspaper December 4, 2022.
“I, Okechukwu (Okey) Ogunjiofor hereby state as follows:
“1. That I, on behalf my Company Videosonic Studios, and the cast and crew entered our latest film Amina for various categories of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards 2022.
“2. That subsequently, BON Awards announced the nominations and Amina got 10 Nominations in various categories.
“3. That due to these Nominations the organisers of BON Awards extended invitation to us to come to Owerri, Imo state (the hosting state for 2022 BON Awards) slated for December 4, 2022.
“4. That although logistics were arranged by BON Awards for Okey Ogunjiofor to represent his office, cast and crew at the event, he was unable to make the journey.
“5. That a slight mix-up in the logistics planning caused him to miss his flight to the awards.
“6. That the organisers called to apologise for the mix-up and offered to make it good by booking another flight but I declined to travel to Owerri.
“7. That we are very shocked and surprised to see the published material stating that I was at the event.
“8. We are therefore stating categorically here that this is a PR job made without our consent or approval.
“9. This report is very unfortunate, and very unprofessional and in bad taste.
“10. That I wasn’t anywhere near Imo state on the said date, neither was I in Owerri for the show, yet the paper says I was among those who commended the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for his uncommon devotion to duty.
“11. This is terrible journalism and I hereby demand Vanguard to retract this statement and correct it adequately in their subsequent publications,” the statement signed by Mr Ogunjiojor stated.
