Chico Ejiro, The Gift That Kept On Giving
Chico John Meziakpono Ejiro was a razor-sharp prong from the trident of the successful movie-producing Ejiro brothers. Although his older brother, Zeb Ejiro, is the most renowned and popular of the trio, Chico Ejiro is viewed as one of the pioneer of modern Nigerian film in the country as no director has masterminded more movies than the 57-year-old.
Chico hailed from Ozoro, Isoko, Delta, and was the youngest of three brothers. His primary schooling began in Warri, Delta but was briefly truncated when he relocated to Ilorin where he resumed at Primary 4. His secondary education continued in Ilorin at Bishop Suleiman College. He then obtained a diploma in Agric-Economics from the renowned Obafemi Awolowo University after two years before proceeding to the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike where he obtained a degree.
His career-path was inspired by Sergio Leone's 1966 Western epic, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly as well as Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus Of Nazareth, both of which he saw in cinema on visits with his mother.
Chico's road to directing, kick-started under his elder brother, Zeb, during the shooting of 90's soap opera, Ripples, where he worked, in his own words, as a "camera boy" and "production assistant" for seven years. At some point, he eventually ascended to the position of director.
Learning under Zeb exposed him to other legendary directors like Ralph Nwadike, Tunji Bamishigbin and Charles Owoyemi in the TV series Ripples, Fortunes and Mega Fortunes. He branched out to work alongside renowned director-producers like Opa Williams, Fred Amata, Andy Amenechi and Mathias Obiahiagbon. He partnered producer, Opa Williams, for three years, during which they formed an enviable camaraderie, becoming close friends.
His first movie direction was a Yoruba drama which featured Jide Kosoko, Iya Rainbow and Lola Alao. He followed this up with Deadly Affair, Flesh and Blood, Tears for Love and Onome all alongside Opa Williams. In Onome, he directed Nigerian legend, Olu Jacobs, an experience he described as very overwhelming.
As well as a movie director, Chico made a name as a producer, screenwriter and a deft handler of the camera.
Multi-award winning actor, Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey, was struck by Chico's infectious attitude at their first acquaintance, enthralled by his "enthusiasm", "passion" and subsequent "trustworthiness."
He is remembered as an humble, amiable, funny but hardworking personality, characteristics that left veteran actor, Segun Arinze, with the first impression of "an intriguing young man who was willing to do more on set," after their first encounter in 1988.
The 'set' in mention was that of '90s classic soap opera, Ripples, a series which Chico would go on to direct in succession of his brother, Zeb. Ripples ran from 1988 to 1993 and is immortalised in Nigeria history books as one the greatest. Ripples as well as its one-year spin-off, Fortunes, is responsible for the launch of the some stars in modern Nollywood.
The magnitude of his loss was underscored by the reaction of the Federal Government through Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who empathised that Nollywood could only "take solace in the fact that his legacy will live on through the excellent works of the actors and actresses he helped to nurture over the years."
Faces like Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nuoah, Pat Attah, Liz Benson, Shan George, Victoria Inyanma, Emeka Ike, Rita Dominic, Jim Iyke, Chika Ike, Caroline Danjuma, Uche Ogbodo and Regina Askia owe their career to Chico, as they were launched on the pads of this television shows.
His meticulous attention to details was displayed in 1996, movie, Silent Night, where he requested that Segun Arinze shave his hair for a supporting role in the flick. The movie presented a first major television role for Ramsey Nuoah, who appeared as the lead actor. Chico would have been pleased to see the career trajectory of his prodigy, whose only movie direction, Living In Bondage II, is the 11th highest grossing Nigerian film of all time.
Although his meticulousness has been disputed, this is only due to the rapid rate at which he churned movies. Chico is famous for his capability to shoot a full movie within three days, a modus operandi that had him direct over 80 movies within a 5-year span. Although it is widely contested that this MO compromised the quality of his movies, it is a certain fact that they helped sky-rocket the very young Nigerian movie industry to 2nd most productive in the world, behind only India's cinema. It also earned him the alias "Mr Prolific" and the less catchy "Kpa-kpa-kpa."
Any doubt of Chico's precision was squashed in the shooting of 1998 flick, Full Moon, which had him traverse the chills of Jos, to the woods of Abeokuta then to a cave in Onitsha, before more scenes in Osogbo and finally back to the heat of Sango Ota. To further pronounce his detailed approach, Chico spent N6 million on the movie which included chartering two buses to ferry the cast and crew interstate.
During the set of the movie, Slave, shot in Abakaliki, an actor drowned in a river scene. Chico lost his total investment of N3 million naira as the movie failed commercially. Further adversities arose, as he struggled to appease the family of the deceased. He rates it as his worst project as he come close to quitting.
His dexterity with the camera coupled with a knack for good scriptwriting, gave him an edge over his colleagues and the ability to shoot in shorter time frames.
His movie credits include the popular TV series, Treasures, 2014's When Dreams Fall Apart, 2002's Festival Of Fire, 2001's Outkast, 2004's Deadly Kiss, True Romance, Passion of Mind, The Cartel, Lost Paradise, Deadly Desire, The Price of Love, 2003's Ashanti, Blind Love, 1999's Aba Riot, Freedom, 1997's Daybreak, 2005's Hidden Treasures, 100 Days in the Jungle, 2006's Family Affair, Between Love, Angels Forever, 2007's Change of Heart, 2008's Tears In my Heart and 2019's Night Bus to Lagos
With over a 100 movies to his name, no director boasted more movies than Chico as at 2010.
He has been rewarded with awards in South Africa, Cameroon and Ghana. He has won Best Director of the Year at The Movie Awards, a Reel awards, an Honour at the Grand Awards and a City People Awards in 2001. The movie, Festival of Fire was nominated for a prize in Geneva, Switzerland.
A rare attitude he is known to display is a consideration of the opinion of his employees. This turned out to be a blessing in the production of the movie, Silent Night, when he heeded the idea of Segun Arinze to survive the character played by Ramsey Nuoah, rather than kill as earlier intended. This allowed for a sequel to the movie, which earned more than its prequel and was one of the best-selling movies of the 90s. According to Arinze, they had enjoyed an "extremely close" relationship ever since, and were on the verge of another sequel to Silent Night when the Grim Reaper called.
His unorthodox generosity was another attribute that astounded the big names in the industry including Oscar-committee member, Charles Novia. Charles recounted several of Chico's open-handed episodes, which would culminate in monetary gifts as much as N20,000. This would usually come about after Chico got paid by marketers or DSTV's Africa Magic.
Former Editor for Encomium Weekly, Editior in Chief for Yes International Magazine and best-selling publisher, Azuh Arinze, was another recipient of Chico's generosity, through whom he got his first television and VHS player. The benevolence did not cease there, as Azuh recounts several occasions he was granted stay in the Festac Home of the bigwig. All of these was recorded in Azuh's book, ENCOUNTERS - Lessons From My Journalism Career, released in mid-2020. Azuh's affection climaxed when he wrote "I fell in love with Mr Chico", a sentiment consented by the entire industry.
He was the owner of Surulere-based media firm Grand Touch Pictures, nicknamed West Coast, as it boasted a number of influential members of the Actors' Guild of Nigeria. He had founded the label after his partnership with Opa Williams and produced all of his classics under its wing. Within the Surulere axis is another enterprise of his called Plantation Bar, which exclusively catered to the edible and recreational needs of stars, celebrities, patrons and friends of the industry.
Being at the helm of all that power, earned Chico a enviable level of authority in the industry. He was so unselfish that he shared how he earned millions monthly from TV ads to Charles Novia, an idea initially oblivious to the director. "It's probably the best idea anyone would give me in Nollywood," were the words of gratitude penned down in his tribute.
Chico's generosity transcended material gifts as he gave to many an attribute deficient in the industry, 'Peace'. Rather than dominate, Chico used his jurisdiction to pacify disputes in the ever tense political ambience of the industry, a noble attitude echoed and praised by Charles Novia in his touching tribute.
Deservedly referred to by Charles as the "respected Grand Master", Chico was featured in the United States-premiered documentary, Welcome to Nollywood, directed by Jamie Meltzer.
Although she lauded him as an important "part of her history" in her tribute, contentious actress, Cossy Ojiakor, criticised Chico for not defending or clarifying the conditions of a leaked footage which showed her in a suggestive sexual act with a dog. The bestial act took place in the scene of 2002 movie, Itohan. Cossy has since suffered harassment and assault from even Joy Ejiro, the wife of Chico.
Chico, whose marriage to Joy Ejiro spanned almost a quarter of century and is one of the longest in the industry had in a 2015 interview promised to "give a lecture" to members of the movie industry, who have struggled to maintain lasting marital unions. He met her at the University of Lagos in 1994 during the set of series, Two Can Play. She was part of the audience and her delectable figure caught the eagle-eyed director. They got married 4 years later in May 1998.
Chico was a fanatical Arsenal fan and is survived by a wife Joy Efetebore Ejiro, four children, as well as brothers Zeb Ejiro and Peter-Red. "To God Be The Glory", the famous end credit initiated by Chico and his brother, is the most suitable credit we can render at the untimely end to the life of lasting icon. Meziakpono lives on... |
