He joined the Nollywood industry as a location driver, but now, he drives the industry as one of the leading producers of blockbuster movies. Chief Executive Officer of Ifeme Divine Production Limited, Ifemechukwu Ibeh is a resolute person. He tells his experiences in this interview with Sam Anokam
Please can you tell us how it started for you in Nollywood?
Ifemechkwu
It started in 1996, when I joined the Nollywood industry as a location driver. Though then, I had an opportunity of appearing in my first movie, which was ‘Silent Night’, a film produced and directed by Chico Ejiro. That was when the industry was operating with VHS, you can imagine when the hustle all started for me. In that very movie, it was more like an opportunity, because it wasn’t so serious, even as I played the role of an extra numeral alongside other major casts of the movie.
Since my appearance in that movie, I continued the journey while working with the then big names like O.J Movies, Infinity Productions, Emmalex, Alex Merchandise, Amaco Investment and many others. These were people who held the industry strong in terms of constant production of films. It was cool working with them and the experience of working helped in shaping my present position as a producer.
Did it occur to you to further your career in acting?
Yes, it did. I really thought of acting further, but then it was so tough that I had to pull out even as a location driver. But later, I returned and started as an associate producer under Divine Touch Productions Limited. And the film I started with as an associate producer was ‘Men in Love.’ As time went by, we worked as a team in producing ‘Ada-Mbano’, which you know was a blockbuster. Today, we have some other well sold out flicks like, ‘Ofe Owerre’, ‘Madam Success’, ‘Strippers’, ‘Sex Slave’, ‘Dirty Secret’ and many others.
How about your most recent movie, ‘Mother’s Club’?
It’s actually a good movie, though we had financial problems, but we were able to overcome it. As you know, it ended successfully, and it will soon be in the market.
What inspired you to go for such movie?
It is the need to fix a society with the right attitude and mindset to living. It was what inspired me. ‘Mother’s Club’ is about two belligerent women who went for another marriage while keeping an existing one. And the question was what could make them go into another marriage? Could it be self-enrichment or what? It’s a suspense-filled one, I must say. It was directed by Reginald Ebere, while starring Mike Ezuruonye, Uche Ogbodo, Clarion Chukwurah and few others.
What is your area of specialty when it comes to producing a story?
I do glamour movies, but I concentrate a lot on family related issues. There are things going wrong in homes, and they need urgent attention for proper correction. Through my films, I help to put those things right.
What is your love for the Nollywood industry all about?
Right from my childhood, I have always loved entertainment. And I believe it was exactly what attracted me to the industry. And here in Nollywood, we have this accommodating industry. Everyone here is accepted, and you have the opportunity to showcase your talent without anyone being a hindrance to it. So, I will say that the love I have for this very industry is numerous.
Outside being in the entertainment industry, where else would you have seen yourself?
From where I come from, we are business minded people. I would have gone into the business of buying and selling, but it’s all good that the industry took over me first, and I couldn’t help it. Maybe in the nearest future, I will try my hands in other trades, even as I can’t put my eggs in one basket. But for now, film production is my area of concentration.
How challenging is the industry?
It gets tough day after day. Though it all falls on marketing which involves the piracy aspect, you will work hard to get fund. You go to location to produce, and finally when the movie is out, you then see your films being added to a DVD compilation without due permission. It’s a problem for us who are independent producers. We are using our hard-earned money to produce, and we are not getting support from anybody.
Another issue is the one on power. Today, you cannot find light in homes for our movies to be watched. Not every house could afford the excesses of a generator set. And you know that people at home are our film consumers. If they don’t enjoy good light, they can’t enjoy our films.
Outside all of these challenges, what motivates you?
There is this popular say that a quitter doesn’t win, and a winner doesn’t quit. It’s a popular say, and it keeps me going whenever I feel like quitting. A lot of people stopped on the way as a result of the challenges but remembering that statement, it encourages me to do more.
While working with Divine Touch Productions, what level of support did you receive?
I got a lot of support and experience. I will not be fair without appreciating this wonderful man in the person of Mr. Kingsley Okereke. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Divine Touch Productions Limited. He is one man who likes to encourage people in business. He is my friend, but then, I owe him a lot for his show of love and support. I also want to thank his amiable wife, Chisom Juliet Okereke who brings out her quality time in developing good stories for all my films. That we have good stories that are making our films to be blockbuster ones, it is all because of her support. She writes and screenplays for us. Also don’t forget that behind a successful man, there is a woman. I won’t forget to mention the name of my beautiful wife, Vivian Chinwe Ibeh. She is a very supportive wife.
What advice would you give to people aspiring to be in the industry?
I would want to advise the younger people. Before investing into any business, try as much as possible to study it. Take a good survey of what you want to do. We have a lot of fake people in the industry, who are claiming to be what they are not. They are out there to rip people off their money. One has to be careful. Be mindful of those who call you into business for investment. Be careful with your kind of association, it’s very important. Then pray for the right people.
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