Plans to Overhaul Nollywood by Tampan Leadership is Underway- Governor
By OLABISI OLALEYE
Governor of Theatre Arts and Motion-Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Prince Zek Ajibola Olaniyan is hardly noticeable in a room but his rich baritone voice, funny and deep usage of the Yoruba language always set him apart whenever he talks.
Olaniyan is a Prince in Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigerian, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Technician and a thespian.
He speaks to Gtechnews on several issues in Nollywood including his ICT background and acting career.
Excerpt
With a history of ICT, how did you find your way into acting?
Both are like two parallel lines for me, they will never be in conflict because I have passion for both of them from my teenage.
From my childhood, my friends most times used to stay around me because I’m a jovial fellow and they used to see it in me as if I’m acting, though I love to watch traditional shows and movies. When I moved to Lagos in 1995, I joined my church drama team and proceeded to Drama College in 1997 and went for training between 1999 and 2000.
On my ICT history, that started from my childhood when I chose a Hausa man selling wrist watches in the market to be staying with whenever I come back from school and as he was condemning some digital wristwatch engines, I used to pick them up and work on them at my leisure time at home and in the end I used to succeed in making 70 percent of them working. When it was time for me to choose a class/department as I was writing my junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 examination in 1992, I chose to be in science class because of my interest in anything related to computer. And when I passed out in 1995, I enrolled in a computer college in Aguda, Surulere Lagos between 1995 and 1997 where I obtained Diploma Certification in Computer Engineering which I later got the knowledge in GSM Engineering and CCTV installations and services with certifications from other sources.
Journey so far?
The journey has been rough and smooth, sorrowful and joyful. Yet with both results, I find joy in the practices.
How has it being as head of a chapter of the association?
Becoming the governor of FCT Chapter of TAMPAN is divine. It gave me more challenge and it helped to make some meaningful difference because I was one way or the other involved in the previous governments/tenures before I assumed the office. I am over two years in office out of four years and my team have made and still making landmarks to reckon with.
Nollywood is fast becoming a place of prostitutes and mediocre as postulated by a known actor, what is your take?
I will start with an adage in my mother’s tongue that says “Onígbá ló pe igbá ẹ̀ ní àkúfọ́, kí ọmọ aráyé tó máa fi kó ìdọ̀tí”.
It does not have direct English translation. If you make your towel a napkin, people would mop the floor with it. So this is indirect one I can think of.
The renowned actor that made the statement happened to be one of the founders of the association (TAMPAN) and he was right in his view though the statement really had negative impact on the association when it was being said.
The truth be told, the National Executives of the association (TAMPAN) through the leadership of our dynamic and global President, Otunba Bolaji Amusan (JP) has put some machineries on ground for the industry reformation and I assure you that in few months time, you would begin to see the rapid changes and differences.
How can things be better and what are the plans to make it a shining example?
Just as I said earlier, plans are underway by the renowned Theatre Association (TAMPAN) to make notable improvements that other associations/bodies would borrow the template to also revive their lost glories in the industry.
What do you want to be remembered for?
This question is challenging! The major and important thing I want to be remembered for is whatever I do for humanity. May God Almighty help me, Amen.