Mike Orihedimma: A Legend Remembered
Mike Orihedimma: The Unsung Legend of Igbo Comedy Movies. His statue should be somewhere in Onitsha, and men should tell his story as Hollywood tells the story of Billy Wilder. Some system should be teaching the art and craft of Mike Orihedimma in the university.
The Rise of a Comedy Pioneer
From the 70s to the 90s, Mike was always there on every screen in Southeast Nigeria. There was no week he failed to give the residents something to enjoy. His genre was comedy, and he did that in the best subtle manner.
From Music Dreams to Film Realities
Solomon Eze, for that is his real name, started his creative career as a musician. His talent was so crude, but like great dreamers, he believed he would leave a mark in the industry. He started identifying with a fellow music lover, Oliver Sunday Akanite (Oliver de Coque). While Oliver played the guitar, Mike played the mouth organ. Both friends were so ambitious that they produced an album each with their craft.
The Goddess of Fortune’s Favor
But Fortune is a biased goddess. She favored Oliver and didn’t look Mike’s way. Oliver became very popular, dropped an album titled Expo ‘76, started dining with the ‘who’s who’ in society, and graced the floor of the almighty People’s Club, but no one ever looked the way of Mike, the mouth organist.
A New Path in Filmmaking
Mike gave up the dream of becoming a musician but didn’t give up the dream of contributing to the creative industry. Back then, Indian movies were very popular, and there was Zebrudaya’s New Masquerade. A lot of productions were going on in Enugu, and this failed musician started dreaming of making a movie in Igbo.
Overcoming Early Obstacles
He started a community and shared his idea with them. In those days, there was no VHS player. Films were produced in what was called Betamax, and very few people could afford that. The only way to get people to view your film was through television stations. And the only available TV station in Southeast Nigeria was NTA Enugu—which was a national television station.
Persistence Pays Off
Mike raised enough money, called together amateurs, and made his first movie. When he took it to NTA, the obvious happened. Maybe it was below standard, maybe they didn’t want to take a chance on a local Igbo movie produced by an inexperienced crew.
The Breakthrough with Anambra Broadcasting Service
Mike didn’t give up. He waited until Anambra Broadcasting Service, a state-owned television station, started. And the ready Mike met his long-awaited opportunity. With passion, he wrote, acted in, and produced an uncountable number of films. He discovered John Okafor (Mr. Ibu), Uwaezuoke, Ngozi Ezeonu, and an uncountable number of actors who later became more popular than the mouth organist.
The Challenges of a Changing Industry
Unfortunately, Mike never made it big. The sponsors never came, and piracy was a war he couldn’t fight. He was at his peak when the wave of Living in Bondage came, and what we know today as Nollywood was birthed. He would later direct and produce some Nollywood movies.
Mike Orihedimma: The Unsung Legend of Igbo Comedy Movies
A Final Farewell
Mike Orihedimma died in 2016 and was buried in his native home in Orsu L.G.A. of Imo State.
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