Dr. Oreofe Williams, otherwise known as Awojesu, shares how he goes beyond borders in addressing societal issues and transforming lives with his faith-based movies. CHINYERE ABIAZIEM brings the excerpts

Recently you hosted ace actors and fathers of faith in Ibadan. What influenced this?

It was all about our annual festival tagged ‘Festival of Talents 2024’, which was to celebrate Easter uniquely. We started small from the City of Talents Academy and the event is getting bigger by the day. We had a line-up of the events for the year, including the premiere of our new production which was attended by popular actors, fathers of faith and other personalities. It is a faithbased movie and both Christians and nonChristians must have a feel of it. It addresses some critical issues in the church as well as to re-ignite souls. I am happy to tell you that the response to the new movie, entitled, ‘Olorun Merinlokan’ has been overwhelming. This shows that God is behind us. He gave us the message to work upon and granted us the wisdom and the strength to pass it across to His people for a greater impact. There are even demands from everywhere. Plans are ongoing to take the movie to Lagos, Abuja, and some parts of the country. Even churches want us to go on a tour. You are known to have distinguished yourself as a faith-based filmmaker, career personality, and founder of a film village and school.

How do you feel about achieving these?

I believe so much in hard work and determination. Of course, there would be no way you want to get something done that there would not be distraction. But I believe in discipline because no matter how determined you are if you are not disciplined, there are things you would never be able to get. By extension, l believe in loyalty; to be loyal to the people who love you and who have been there for you. Of course, when l say loyalty, l do not mean that you are going to be loyal to people whose intention is to deceive you or destroy you. I don’t burn bridges, l make friends. If l get somewhere and l discover you are not out to deceive me or destroy me, you would be my friend. I still get in touch with my teachers who taught me at the university in 1991. I believe in commitment and availability for those you love. These are virtues that have helped me over time. In addition to the virtues, what principles have been guiding you on your journey so far? Among many other things, l also believe in helping others to attain their desired goals, helping the upcoming ones to fulfil their dreams and I believe it is in helping others to get to the top that l also find myself at the top. These are what I believe strongly in. This is what we do at the City of Talents, taking people off the streets and helping them.

You also are the first PhD product from the Theatre and Media Arts Department of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) how do you feel about it?

It has renewed a sense of purpose and we should not forget that an attainment of greatness brings more attention and more responsibilities. I happened to be the first Ph.D. candidate to defend in that department. I look forward to giving back to society and making those coming after us achieve what they intend to achieve. My main goal is to make sure that as many people as are talented and intend to go to school, get help to go to school. So, when people came around me at the film village, l coached them, empowered them, and encouraged them to proceed to the university to pursue their dreams academically even after getting their diplomas.

What new work are you working on now and when will it be released?

‘Olorun Merinlokan’ (Quadrinity). That is the first cinema project I just engaged in after the defence of my PhD. You know, for some time, I have not had much time and then ‘Digital Tongues’ on my YouTube channel, Oreofe Williams Awojesu. Another one is the ‘Sky below the Sea’. These are works that we have been able to put together for our audience across the world. The ‘Sky below the Sea’ is a story about a pastor and how he runs his church. ‘Digital Tongues’ is talking about educating the younger generation about our history. That TV series has run for over a year, and it is also on local television. Same thing with the ‘Sky below the Sea’. Olorun Merinlokan, which is a new cinema project released during the Easter season. It is an exciting ensemble of projects helping also to reach out to the audience.

You were also the pioneer provost of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), and it is being said in some quarters that you were given a huge sum of money while you served in that capacity…

By the grace of God, l had the opportunity to serve as provost of TAMPAN Academy because l was asked by the president of TAMPAN to come and help the academy. He came to our film academy, saw what we were doing and he wanted me to replicate the same in TAMPAN, which I also embraced with honour. I never collected a dime for anything done for TAMPAN. I love giving back to society. I believe that it is not about what you take. Maybe we call this side talk, you know some people just think that whatever we do, we do because of money. I went there for one year and they are interesting students. For one year, we were doing it and, sometimes, l had to fuel my car all through even when the price of fuel got up. I sponsored the young ones among them. I want to acknowledge, very immensely, the HoD of Theatre Arts in UNIOSUN, Dr. Sesan Akinwunmi, who always comes to help us without taking a dime.

Would you say this gave you leverage to feature secular actors in your works?

No. I have had a cordial relationship with many actors before now, and it has been very fruitful. They are too numerous to mention. I have featured many popular actors in our movies, and they have proved that they are great thespians. You have been accused of featuring secular actors in faith-based films. How do you feel about this? I do not see this as an accusation. Truth be told, I don’t prioritise religion in my work. I am particular about good delivery and taste. I am not sentimental. God has sent me on a mission that is unique and impactful. I do not see any hearsay or accusation as a big deal. We need to realise that these people are professionals in their own right. They have their religion as well, and they don’t mix profession with religion to educate, and entertain us as thespians. As for me, I am particular about professionalism and quality. Many of them are even Christians and even those that are not. I have been able to give them a feel of what is right in the face of God.