Meet Mr. Ojie: From Camera Operator to Multiple Award Winner in Nigeria’s Movie Industry
Creative director and Chief Executive Officer of Ojis Media Limited, Mr. Asuelime Ojie. Eniola delved into the video production industry in Nigera as a camera operator in 1999.
As time goes on, Mr. Ojie began to improve his craft and became director of photography, editor, post producer and technical/content director.
He grew in leaps and bounds to morph into a media consultant, producer, director and an executive producer.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, September 3, 2023, Mr. Ojie was recognised for his great works in the movie industry, winning the Movie Producer and Director of the Year in Nigeria at the NIGERIA ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2023 that went down in Leeki, Lagos. He achieved the feat ahead of Demeji Ajibola, Jade Osiberu, Vincent Okonkwo, Victor Okpala, Maimuna Abaji and Seun Olaiya.
“Getting nominated alone is a big deal, let alone winning multiple awards, so I feel great winning,” he disclosed.
The director claimed the award with the movie titled ‘City Hustlers’ – a comedy/drama movie that showcases real life events of the day to day hustling of the average Lagosian.
Speaking on the challenges faced while shooting the movie, he said: “One of the biggest challenges I faced was Lagos traffic. We spent 7 hours moving from Lagos Mainland to Amen Estate after Ajah and yet again, same happened returning to mainland.”
Though, he revealed that gathering the crew and cast for the production was not a tedious process, “Assembling the cast and crew wasn’t a difficult task considering my relationships with a lot of actors and crew members, knowing that I started off on this career from about the lowest level of being a crew member.”
The producer also mentioned that he loves working with actors who delivers and brings to life a particular character.
“My advice to upcoming producers and directors is never to give up on thier dreams regardless of what is happening. They must remain consistent and never let money be the motivating factor,” he stressed.
Mr. Ojie is also a member of the DIRECTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA (DGN); ASSOCIATION OF MOVIE PRODUCERS (AMP), and NOLLYWOOD CREATIVE MINDS FORUM (NCMF).
Amidst his recent success, the media consultant also talks us through his works and recognitions in an interview;
– I have written, produced and directed movies like; “No Budget”, “City Hustlers”, “In Circles”, “Traffick”, “Venomous”, “Wild Emotions” – which are all cinema blockbuster movies and also worked on others like “Broken”, “Quest for Justice”, “Father of The House”, “Crushing”, “When Stars Align”, Marriage Diary”, “Twale for Ladies”, “What Men Want”, “It’s In You”, “Loving Linda Series” and many more.
– I have worked in various capacities on several video production projects within and outside Nigeria, this includes being the technical director for the biggest reality show in Africa (Big Brother Naija) and Malta Guinness Street Dance and so on. I also wrote the format and series, produced a first of its kind reality show in Africa “Celebrity Come Build”, which was aired in over 24 countries in Africa and beyond in the year 2021, and the “Mr Ideal Nigeria” show as Series Producer/Head of Technical in 2023.
– I have directed over thirty musical videos and concerts across Nigeria. I was also the producer of the biggest CSR award ceremony in Nigeria (SERAS) for three editions in a row – and also on the GTB Fashion Weekend Show runway in 2021 & 2022.
– I have also worked on several documentary projects for cooperate organisations, states governments and for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
– In 2022, one of my movies “CITY HUSTLERS” was the awarded best movie in cinemas nationwide in the month of March and was in Cinemas for 11/12 weeks. Another movie of mine titled, “IN CIRCLES” was premiered in London in April 2022 at Odeon IMAX Cinema, Greenwich Bugsby’s Way, London. It was a sold out show and was later aired in cinemas nationwide in Nigeria for 11 weeks.
– “CITY HUSTLERS” was also nominated for the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), 9TH EDITION in 2023.
