According to a digital invitation, the 60th birthday celebration of actor Francis Onwochei would begin by 2pm this past Sunday. The Lagos Country Club in Ikeja was the venue. This, of course, meant that, showing up by 4pm was fine. Indeed, the celebrant himself showed up at 4.40pm, pomp in his wake.
By then, most of the guests were seated. But they were all asked to stand to welcome the celebrant, who would also be launching his memoirs. Famous from several Nollywood films stretching back decades, Onwochei strode to his seat, so evidently happy to soak up the attention as his entourage—including his kids, some dancers, and a couple of drummers—was serenaded with the Igbo flute. He looked resplendent in a white outfit, carmine cap, gorgeous beads, and snazzy sunglasses. At least two of his filmmaking colleagues joked fondly about his grand entrance.
Okey Ogunjiofor, famous for writing and producing Nollywood‘s urtext, Living In Bondage, made a note to chide the celebrant later. “I’ll tell him he’s undisciplined for keeping us here,” he said, smiling. Ogunjiofor had appeared at the venue over an hour earlier.
Nobert Young, another actor from Nollywood’s pioneering class, aimed his jab at the announcer, who had demanded a standing ovation for Onwochei. “He should [have said] children below 60 should stand up,” he said.
Both men were seated at one of two tables marked “Nollywood”, although many people belonging to the industry were on other tables spread across the hall. You could see Tade Ogidan (director, Hostages) and Greg Odutayo (producer, Edge of Paradise) exchange greetings, although they were on different tables. Evelyn Ikuenobe-Otaigbe (actress, Behind the Clouds) chatted briefly with Kingsley Ogoro (producer, The Prostitute) before retreating to different tables. Funny man Charles Inojie looked on. Onwochei looked pleased as he sat on a rather capacious gilded chair.
Finally, the event could begin.
The Event
Inojie and Justice Atigogo (producer, Lahira) assumed MC duties. The latter made the first joke, warning those who would fail to clap that he’ll take their names to Onwochei, after which they’ll learn how “Nollywood used to be”. Laughs rang out, although those uninitiated to the workings of Old Nollywood might have wondered just how vindictive the industry used to be and whether that has changed. But the jokes were not limited to the stage.
On his table, Norbert Young (actor, Checkmate), who had his wife, Gloria Young (actress, Glamour Girls), by his side made a joke as a pastor was called upon to open the birthday celebration with prayers. The MCs had said the pastor was from Christ Embassy, so Young wondered audibly, Why wasn’t he sporting jheri curls?
Moments later, he made another joke. “If them give this man chance, he go talk till 7,” he said. This time he was referring to Kayode Aderinokun, the Chairman of the event, who was going on and on when asked to give a speech.
The programme continued with more songs and more greetings from Nollywood pioneering set, many of whom appeared to not have seen their colleagues in years. At some point, it felt as though anyone who was somebody in 1990s/2000s Nollywood was present. Ngozi Nwosu (actress, Evil Passion), Fidelis Duker (director, Not My Will), and Teco Benson (director, State of Emergency) showed up at some point. Emeka Ossai (actor, Doctor’s Quarters) came in quite late and received some ribbing from Young before taking a seat.
In time, the event became as much about Nollywood stars as it was about Onwochei, with the MCs making sure to name their colleagues, prefacing their names with humour, flattery, fact, or some interesting construction involving all three. Segun Arinze was referred to as “turning 60” even though as he has “several birthdays”. Norbert Young was “the first Nigerian to make acting look easy”. Ogunjiofor’s work on Living In Bondage was praised, and then Inojie added a flourish: “If men were to carry their achievements on their shoulder, he would develop hunchback”.
By now Onwochei had changed outfits. And as a microphone found its way to him around 6pm, he got a chance to speak, recognising people who weren’t from Nollywood but close to him all the same. Before then, stars and backers of the film industry had hogged all of the attention.
The Evergreen
Soon, the writer and publisher, Toyin Akinosho, was invited to review Onwochei’s memoirs, titled Evergreen. He called the book a “fascinating memoir”, offering a self-effacing comment about how better reviewers would do a better job of reviewing the book than he had. He seemed to be particularly impressed with the person who wrote the preface. Nonetheless, his review was considerably more informative than the one subsequently offered up by an academic in attendance.
Finally, it was time to launch the book. In true Nigerian style, this it was a financial move, targeted at wealthy guests. Kayode Aderinokun, as Chairman of the event and “Chief Launcher”, was handed a microphone. His speech was shorter this time, mercifully. He would be launching the book, he said, with ₦2m. He was applauded but shortly after Inojie showed up to say that it wasn’t necessary to declare a figure publicly.
On the Nollywood table, the Youngs discussed what number of drinks were enough, a playful semi-negotiation ending with Norbert joking about Gloria moving to a different seat to escape her supervision. Ogunjiofor briefly mentioned that he was writing a number of books on Nollywood, which, in addition to Onwochei’s book would be quite an outpouring from a generation of Nollywood players who have spoken too little about what it was like to start an industry from scratch. He went up to take a photo with the celebrant and then disappeared into the night.
Onwochei was on his feet, taking photos with his many well-wishers, before he began dancing, hugging, and shaking hands as the event turned into party. His ebullience at 60 might have been surprising, but this was a man who almost made a national football team in his youth.
As the evening events closed, someone dimmed the lights in the hall and a short video showing the celebrant answering questions about his life came on as an offscreen interlocuter asked 60 questions. While all of the answers were quite revealing of the man who starred and produced 1998’s Raging Storm, the final question was quite a clincher.
How would he complete the sentence “Francis Onwochei is…?”
“Francis Onwochei is evergreen,” he replied with a smile.
In the hall, his youngest daughter, a vivacious 17-year-old named Chinaza, watched the video, perhaps seeking familial information unknown to her memory. Asked what her father’s 60th birthday means to her, she responded readily. “It means he’s oooold,” she said with a short laugh.
Ah well. Father and daughter think alike. The teenager said “old”, the 60-year-old said “evergreen”. Potato, potahto.
