Chiori Daniel Cole is a highly skilled filmmaker, entertainment consultant, and serial entrepreneur in the Nigerian creative scene. She has worked on numerous film and musical projects. The Lead City University of Ibadan mass communication graduate shot to fame with his execution of #OLIC (Olamide Live In Concert) and Achievas’s first big blockbuster film, “Knocking On Heaven’s Door.” He rated the creative industry’s success in 2021 and discussed his next initiatives, among other things.
What inspired you to work in the creative field before entertainment?
I’ve always had a passion for the entertainment business. I used to be a professional soccer player, but that didn’t stop me from following my dream of using my skills to amuse people. I began working with my family in the entertainment industry somewhere around 2007. I wasn’t a director of Achievas Entertainment when it was registered in 2007. I didn’t even have an office to occupy or a place to be.
I used to be more like a young child who was so enthralled with entertainment that I would forego quizzes and examinations in order to attend events in and around Lagos, Ibadan, Osun, Ogun, Port Harcourt, etc. In addition to traveling with our former musician, Solidstar, I was also indirectly working as a cinematographer for 2Face. Even though I wasn’t paid anything at the time, I only wanted the experience. I didn’t need money; money wasn’t what drove me. I wanted to observe and gain knowledge so that, with the support of my incredible team at ACHIEVAS Entertainment Limited, I could perform flawlessly when it came time to shine. Our unwavering goal is to restructure the entertainment sector and make money feel like more.
You appear to have stepped away from making movies for a while as a filmmaker.
We continued to produce movies at a steady pace. Filmmaking demands imagination, and it must be of the highest caliber if we are to be able to amuse audiences or convey our message in a truly original way. It takes more than just assembling Nollywood stars in a set and calling the result a blockbuster two weeks after production begins if one hopes to wow the public.
We don’t operate that way here. We take our time to craft, develop, comprehend, and tell the world a wonderful narrative. As a filmmaker, I aspire to win an Oscar for my Nollywood productions, and I am confident that this is achievable. For the benefit of Africans, Nigerians, and people everywhere else, we shall do it. Right now, one of these SVOD sites is anticipating the premiere of our completed project, Oldest Bridesmaid. It is the first Nollywood film to ever be featured on an NFT market space, having also been included on the NFT market space.
How do you think the industry will fare in 2021?
To be honest, your children would love to hear the tale of how every Nigerian musician, from A-listers to others, rose to fame in their respective fields. In just a year, they’ve completely transformed the music business, and I can assure you that it’s had a fantastic year overall. To maintain that pace, we just need to love each other and form additional alliances with record labels, financial institutions, businesses, and a host of other organizations to make our stories come to reality.
The film industry is still developing slowly, thus, financial assistance is required in order to produce high-caliber images, narratives, performances, etc. We can do better, in my opinion. It’s currently 90% in the music business and 40% in the film sector. My goal is to secure collaborations and international recognition in order to preserve the Nigerian film industry.
How was the first-ever Buju concert that you recently hosted?
The young individuals on Buju’s squad share our desire for success and are fantastic guys. We all intended to pack Balmoral Hall for Buju’s concert, and we succeeded in doing so. It was made possible by everyone involved, especially the media who helped us out. Additionally, we received support from Lagos State via its agencies, including LASAA, LASPARK, Seyi Tinubu, Peter Cole Chiori, Chivas Regal, and numerous others.
Why was it decided to hold a Buju concert?
I convinced Buju to sign with us because of his incredible talent because we wanted to put on the greatest concert in Nigeria, and we thought we had succeeded. I informed Buju and his group that all I needed from them was for them to provide his followers with quality music; we would take care of the rest, and as they say, the rest is history.
What do you expect to happen in 2022?
We have much in store for everyone, including boxing, soccer, music, and movies. We don’t need to say much about this because our deeds will speak for themselves.
