by Lekan Olanrewaju

A Nigerian filmmaker based in the United States has announced plans to shoot a movie on the former Biafra secessionist state of South-Eastern Nigeria. Odera Ozeka, who recently held the premiere for his new movie “Soul Diaspora” at the Ozone Cinema, Yaba, is set to commence this new project next year. The award winning filmmaker has reportedly secured $400,000 from two private investors to begin shooting of his new film on the Biafra titled “A forgotten place”

“I’m looking to starting casting towards later part of this year” he said. “But I’ve already started meeting with actors like Emeka Ike, Kate Henshaw and Step-Nora Okere and some unknown ones to play major parts. I think it’s time for such a movie to be released, seeing where the country is, with constant fears of a breakup; the movie will be a way of reminding people of the struggle and the cost it took to keep this us a united country, and it’s something that should not be played with.”

The young film maker is also gearing up to make history  on Tuesday, February 28,  with the public presentation of  his book on President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformational agenda titled “Goodluck Jonathan Transformation Agenda: A Youth Perspective in American System.” The event, which is expected to see in attendance top government officials and politicians like the Secretary to the Federal Government, Pius Anyim Pius, who will be the guest speaker, and Hon Lawan Faruk, is billed to take place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Odera, who has already presented the book to Jonathan said, “Mr. President likes the book, and he has promised to use it for one year anniversary.”

Speaking on the idea behind the writing of the book, he said  “I was inspired to write this book as a means of documenting what I‘ve come to realise as solid policies that worked in America, which I feel can be applied to our ever evolving political climate.”