AUSTIN FAIR, Lagos
It is no longer news that legendary thespian and one of Nollywood’s best, Omotola-Jalade Ekeinde is currently down with the dreaded coronavirus and expectedly, on self isolation receiving treatment.
Unfortunately, the multiple award-winning all rounder who maintained all the Covid-19 protocols during the total lockdown in the country, had the misfortune of contracting it on movie location recently, as reports have it.
Consequently, there is palpable fear in the industry over the development and safety of personnel on locations. What is the way out? Like other sectors, the lockdown brought untold hardships to the entertainment industry generally. So should it be imposed on again?
We sampled the opinion of industry stakeholders and players who objected to any idea of a restriction of whatever kind and instead opted for a stricter observation of the safety guidelines.
Firstly we sought the opinion of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Chairman, Prince Ifeanyi Dike said, ‘’When you viewed it from the perspective of the Big Brother Nigeria house, it gives us the hope that shoots can still go on. The only thing is that we have to obey all the protocols whereby once an artiste gets into camp he is not allowed to mingle with an outsider. Also production outlets must be thoroughly sanitized before any assemblage and production. We wish Omotola quick recovery.’’
To industry stakeholder, Rahman Raji, the solution to checkmate the deadly virus at production centers is simple. ‘’Maintaining proper guidelines is a way out.’’
Also contributing, Emeka Okoro whose latest movie, FLEE, is making waves around the movie circles would rather wish Omotola a quickest recovery and a return to base.
However, another stakeholder, Reginald Akuchie feels that Omotola’s case is like a timely warning. ‘’although nobody is sure of where she actually got it from [heared her husband brought in her children from abroad], I would suggest the immediate stoppage of location productions for now to avert further disasters.’’
This, contradicts with the view of the Queen of Nollywood, Mariah Jijingi who said that; ‘’as far I know, Covid=19 has come to stay. Work has resumed fully and the industry cannot be left out. I think we all have to take preventive measures while on location.’’ A view upcoming actress, Princess Ify, supports. ‘’Productions should not be stopped but all the safety protocols must be strictly observed.’’
The unanimous agreement was that locations should remain open with all protocols observed. ‘’We have not recovered from the initial lockdown and its attendant hardship ,’’many of them swore.
…Recovers, infects children!
Contrary to the views in some quarters that the returnee [from abroad] children of screen diva, Omotola, may be the ones that infected her with the virus, the reverse is the case.
Speaking for the first time after her recovery on her instragram page over the weekend, Omotola confirmed that it was actually on a movie location that she contracted it and unfortunately infected her daughter and asthmatic son with same.
“My God showed up for me as my son is asymptomatic, so positive but not sick. My daughter lost her smell and taste and had severe diarrhea. But all has stopped now, thank God.”
She confessed that the movie industry remains her worry as Covid-19 is real. We must come together to find the safest way to work and protect ourselves.