TRIBUTE: Oronto Douglas’ private views about Nigerian journalism, nationhood… Nollywood

Tributes have continued pouring in for Oronto Douglas, special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on research, documentation and strategy, who died on Thursday after fighting cancer for seven years.

While Jonathan said he was “deeply saddened” by the death, Muhammadu Buhari, the president-elect, consoled the president, saying Douglas still had a lot to offer the country. But just how much did the late lawyer and environmental rights activist have to offer Nigeria?

Kole Ade-Odutola, a Florida-based Nigerian academic, shares with TheCable excerpts of his private exchanges with Douglas “around 2009 before he became too engrossed in the Jonathan PDP-led government.”

“The last message I sent to him was in 2013 which till date remained unread. There are other ideas I sent to him that were never considered or followed up on,” Ade-Odutola said.

“Please read a few of what transpired between us and tell me what you think about him. Read his ideas about Nollywood and I hope those who got large sums of money may understand why they were given the money in the first place. Oronto if there are ways of reaching out to me again, you trust I would appreciate that!!”

See unedited conversations below:

Oronto Douglas 16/5/2009
Did you ask me some time ago what is my idea of a good movie? Greetings! I appreciate all your comments. Let me clarify: A month or two ago I posted the following in my profile as my best movies in recent times: 1. Amedeus 2. A beautiful mind. 3. Men of Honour. 4. Osuofia in London. 5. Slumdog Millionaire. That post elicited several reactions and Kole then asked me to define what I mean by “a good movie” I have been busy and just now got round to it. My post yesterday therefore has two distinct thought stream. One defines what I think a good movie is and the other is to encourage our own Nollywood to move to the next level. Does my definition of good movie captures and glorify all that is Nollywood? Certainly not. Am I patriotic? Yes and unapologetically so.

I am in San Francisco next door to the home of Hollywood Los Angeles. The San Francisco International film Festival has just ended and we were not represented. But we will get there and soon our movies will be sought after. Many a nation and people have finished telling their stories. We are just about to start. There is a revolution in Nigeria championed by Nollywood and we must appreciate this: Low budget films. Producing Films with camcorders. Audience capture and cultural protection and evangelism. The emergence of our own indigenous actors and actresses as heroes and icons is great!

The possibilities are immense, considering our place in Africa and the black world. We are telling our own stories! I cannot and will refuse to cast a stone at creativity no matter how “mediocre”. There is a spark of genius in our people, all we need to do is to encourage its emergence and overflow.The natural movement to excellence will, like Pita suggested, eclipse mediocrity in time. Nigerians go for the best. For now I am happy that we have been able to protect our space. Next is operation improvement in quality which will happen as the pretenders and ‘shortermist’ take a bow after this initial moviedom effervescence. Warmest regards, Oronto

Oluwatoyin Kole 17/05/2009
My bros, what do you think about Nollywood serving as a tool for local consumption. Have you stopped to think that apart from the technical aspect or the weak story lines and unbelievable acting at times, this Nollywood has helped and continues to help local “i dey sew under petesi” to understand the styles some men and women want? There are some furniture makers as well who have made sales just becos a Nollywod movie has a certain kind of furniture in it. Yes, at a very pedestrian level Nolywod has helped in the circulation of products if not ideas.

The question that bothers me most of the time is: which should come first, a culturally developed society or a mentally and ideologically developed filmmaker. Or must both develop at the same time? Let me digress gain, Dele Momodu, the main voice of entertainment journalism, will sell millions of his wares before TELL and Newswatch combined sell their first thousand. So is it Dele’s magic or Tell’s choice of serious news that should be blamed? Nigerians prefer to eat biscuit bone than chew on hard bones. Nollywood is easily digested story line. It asks nothing of you and does not pretend to want to change society from its confused state. Leave that to the Pastors and Imam. Nollywod is us and we are Nollywood. We all love RMD and Genevieve and the new sensation called Akindele . Sorry this is getting too long…. I cannot rest my case

Oronto Douglas 17/05/2009 14:47
How was your Sunday? My brother, the opportunities are immense. We just need to harness them. But I believe our generation is equal to the task.

Kole: Do you think… 28/06/2009

“To fight for national culture means in the first place to fight for the liberation of the nation, that material key stone which makes the building of a culture possible.” (Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth)

I got this from GG Darah’s paper he delivered at the SONTA conference. BTW your book was mentioned too…
Ok my question…do you think Fanon was saying that a nation is the material keystone for culture? So does it mean we need the nation for a national culture to evolve?

Oronto Douglas

In the evolution chain of our existential ethos, the culture comes first and the Nation only helps to enhance, protect and project it. Some cultures rise (evolve) to become iconic and national in its acceptability other remain as sub-cultures. If a nation disintegrates into many nations, as in the case of the many states in the soviet union, what will be the national culture of the emerging nations outside Russia? I guess the sub cultures in the new nations will become the dominant culture in the new nations. Culture is a vehicle that keeps the nation especially if that culture ennobles.

Oluwatoyin Kole 05/08/2009 23:00
The Obama commitment to the arts began even before his election. During his campaign, Obama released an unprecedented arts policy document advocating an Artist Corps of young creators to work in low-income communities (a) new WPA, as it were), increased activity at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and in cultural diplomacy, renewed attention to arts education, amid other proposals. Now the President and First Lady are engaging directly with artists;featuring jazz and poetry at the White House, filling its walls with recent work by diverse artists, attending dance and theater performances in the Capitol and beyond. The selection of Rocco Landesman, a seasoned theater producer, for the NEA chairmanship demonstrates a similarly direct commitment to the arts at work.

Oronto Douglas 06/08/2009 07:30
Very much so my brother. I am just amazed the way even the first lady brings in this artist some well-known and others just upcoming to play in the Whitehouse. You cannot imagine what such what encouragement will do to them and to the American society. I agree with you. There is a quiet revolution going on here.

Oluwatoyin Kole 25/10/2009 02:27
Three years ago….what happened? The following key finds were made by the researchers on the Nigerian media situation (Akeem M. Adeyanju and Dr Jenkeri Zakari Okwori 2006)

• Training needs to be increased to address the dearth of quality, and to promote ethical journalism. • The Freedom of Information Bill needs to become law. • The American profit-driven model of media is not serving Nigeria’s needs. • A developmental philosophy is needed among journalists. • State interference in media activity must come to an end in order for the media to play their full democratic and developmental roles. • Community-based radios with Internet connectivity could play an important role in democratic development. • Television output must respect the needs of the viewer in order to fulfill its potential.
14 African Media Development Initiative: Nigeria Context © BBC World Service Trust

Oronto Douglas 25/10/2009 17:29

Kole thanks. Journalism is not shielded from the collapse of values in our society. An internal interrogation will help. I am particularly for community-based radios and internet as a means of getting us out of the present stagnation.

Oluwatoyin Kole

My brother YES you are for it…but SOMETHING is stopping you from moving into the action phase. I have one million friends who were active on the ground and could make things happen, then something gave and…..you know the rest of the story or you don’t?

Oronto Douglas

I will like to have more information on this. I should be back on ground in December.

Oluwatoyin Kole

In fact I think political scientist must start thinking of re-working the social contract theory. We need new forms of representations or what say you sir?

Oronto Douglas 19/12/2009 14:39

Representation rooted in community attestation of good character is what I have always advocated! Too many crooks with leprous antecedents have hijacked our collective patrimony and have individualized our will to live and be happy!

Oluwatoyin Kole

You are Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Strategy?
“I am aware that Mr. President had told all of us, his aides to steer clear of partisan politics and commit ourselves to governance”.

Oronto Douglas

This is very interesting…I better watch my words then…I must be daft

Oluwatoyin Kole

PS: Will you then create an action slate for the president then? Can you oblige us with his action meter? Can you introduce the daily question to Ministers and aides: What have I done for Nigeria’s progress today? If all can answer that daily what do you think will happen?

Oronto Douglas

“WHAT HAVE I DONE FOR NIGERIA’s PROGRESS TODAY?” This is beautiful! Will think through this. Will keep in touch my brother.

Oluwtaoyin Kole 10/08/2010 14:49
No sweat my brother….at this point whatever can prick the conscience of all is welcome. The Action meter will not be a bad idea ooo Stay blessed my bros

Oronto Douglas 10/08/2010 14:51
Yes, I agree.

Oluwatoyin Kole
Let me push my luck again….. (1) What do you think will be the impact of the Presidency meeting all Head-Boys/Girls of all Federal Government Colleges and giving them that pep-talk in leadership and what he expects from them. He can now ask all State Governors to meet with Prefects of all State Colleges while Local Government Chairperson meet with schools in their domain. Those who meet the president become his flag bearers and they in turn will convince their parents. I know you have been a teacher in a secondary school and you can appreciate what such a meeting can mean to the young minds. Sina Oladehinde who is in Tribune talked a lot about the impact you made on them. Just one more strategy.
Yours in the hope for a better nation

Oronto Douglas

This is brilliant! Again, I will explore in the interest of our nation my brother. Thanks a lot.

Oluwatoyin Kole 5/8/2013

…He NEVER go to read this one…