Some veteran Nollywood actors and scholars on Monday described the legendary Pete Edochie as a custodian of tradition on his 75th birthday.
Edochie was celebrated by family, colleagues and well-wishers in a Zoom meeting hosted by Kwechiri Unity Forum and moderated by Chido Obidigwe.
Prof. Patrick Lumumba, Director, Kenyan School of Law, Nairobi, who spoke on Western Influence on Africa culture: The example of Okonkwo in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart described Edochie as a “legend in the entertainment industry.”
Lumumba said that Nollywood was recognised because of people like Edochie, stressing that the Nigerian entertainment industry would never forget his contributions.
According to Lumumba, when Nigeria gets it right, Africa will also get it right.
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He urged everyone doing one thing or the other to sustain the Nigerian entertainment industry.
“We wish you long life, good health, wisdom because I know like a good wine, you become wiser as you grow old,” he said.
Also, Sam Dede, who spoke on “Pete Edochie as a creative innovator in Nollywood: An Insider’s Account,” said he had worked in different capacities with the legend.
“Pete Edochie is a custodian of our tradition and for that I sit at his feet and learn. He is like that one who stood in the middle of the forest and when the lion came facing him, it turned back into the forest.
“We have worked in various capacities and whenever we have issues based on tradition, we don’t hesitate to call on him for guidance and advice.
“He once condemned an actor who didn’t play the role of the Igwe well. These are the little things we learn from him.
“All the things we sometimes overlook, he cautions. It is really fascinating to celebrate someone like him,” Dede said.
Joke Silva who spoke on “Pete Edochie, Nollywood and the feminist movement,” described Edochie as the Iroko serving as support for the entertainment industry.
Silva, however, said there was no way she would discuss the topic without talking about a statement made by Edochie on feminism.
She noted that Edochie had attributed feminism as the major cause of violence in most homes.
“Gender-based violence is also violence on all genders and not just one particular gender. Men also experience violence and we know.
“Each gender is expected to be treated equally. Nollywood when portraying women in movies should also do a balanced story.
“Nollywood is an influential industry which has made it possible for people in Africa to tell their stories and these stories should be told to develop the people and not just to entertain.” she said.
Kanayo O. Kanayo, a Nollywood veteran actor who spoke about “Nigeria’s Movie Industry and Value Orientation: The Pete Edochie example”, commended the veteran actor for the values he brought to the entertainment industry.
” Pete Edochie has been an inspiration not just to the younger ones but also to people of his age in the industry. All guilds will celebrate you and Nigeria will celebrate you.
“In Africa, we have values that we respect, one of which is the breaking of kolanut. Just like I can’t just shake Pete Edochie without respect and these are the things we portray in our movies and that’s value oriented.
“Our movies show that light will overshadow darkness and that is value orientation of what we tell people. Nollywood is the greatest export from Africa to the world.
“Nollywood has afforded us the opportunity to tell our story in our own way. Even with insecurity, Nollywood preaches peace and progress,” Kanayo said.
Dr Reuben Abati who spoke on “Pete Edochie as a broadcaster, an actor and cultural agitator: Enthroning Professionalism in diversity,” said the veteran actor distinguishes himself in everything he does.
“He has become what Wole Soyinka is in literature and what Olu Jacobs, his colleague is. What we see in him is true professionalism. He puts his best in all he does.
“As we celebrate him, I believe attention should also be put on some issues in the entertainment industry like piracy, payment of royalties and other things that would help develop the industry,” Abati said.
The President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, also commended the veteran actor for his contributions to the movie industry and his fatherly role.
“You have achieved many feat and you are an inspiration to us all. I celebrate you on behalf of the AGN and I pray that God will continue to grant your heart desires,” he said. (NAN)