Nollywood film producer, Zeribe Chigozie Wanodi has opened up on how his mum warned him about betrayal from friends.
In a recent chat with the Nigerian film producer after winning an award, he said, “The bitter betrayal I would never forget was something my mother had warned me about many years back. My mother told me that my worst undoing would be with people I call friends. I did not know what it was until I was badly betrayed. I now keep only business relationships.”
On his recognition as one of the fast rising Nollywood producers, Zenog as he’s fondly called said, “I am happy to receive this award as one of the best Nollywood producers. Success is being able to give back to society while having empathy for others. I have empathy for the people on the street. The people you call area boys, I don’t see them as such. I just see them as stranded individuals. The youths are losing depth. We were now operating on a fake platform. It is when you are able to change lives, not when you have so much money. If you can give back to society, you are successful.”
In his opinion about the industry, Zenog believes the Nigerian government’s intervention in the film industry isn’t well placed.
In his words, “I think the government’s intervention was negative. They didn’t do enough research before intervening. Another thing they did wrong was giving people a license to showcase our movie on Africa Magic. You don’t need to buy movies when you can watch it on Africa Magic. If you have an alternative to buying, people will choose the alternative. 90% of those who could buy movies are licensed to mass-produce your works without recourse to you. I started thinking of the effect of business to have a basic life.”
The film producer also reiterated that he’s done living a frivolous lifestyle as he has turned a new leaf and has become a role model for females and males in the film industry.