Family on Fire continues to make waves

Lagos came alive again on May 1 when Tade Ogidan’s wave-making movie, Family on Fire, was screened at the MUSON Centre, Onikan. The hall was filled to capacity with fun-loving Lagosians who were eager to have a feel of the much-talked about movie.

Comedian Teju Babyface, who was the compere, helped the audience to relax with jokes while Ogidan took the cue and enjoined parents to bring their children up in the proper way. According to him, parents who mess up Nigeria and send their children abroad  to study will only compound the problem of the society when their wards return home.

Prior to the screening, the cast made up of Nollywood’s most talented role  interpreters – including Sola Fosudo, Lanre Hassan, Sola Sobowale, Saheed Balogun, Segun Arinze, Bukky Amos, Yinka Odusanya and singer Kenny Saint Best – came on stage to display what the audience should expect from the movie.

Family on Fire,  set in Lagos and London and rendered in Yoruba and subtitled in English – and spiced with Spanish – tells the story of a spoilt youngster, Kunle – played by  Balogun.  Kunle commits a grave act of smuggling cocaine into London by burying the hard drug in his unsuspecting mother’s luggage. Apart from the in-fighting this action caused in the family, the looming crisis gets compounded when Moyo who is studying in the UK – through sponsorship by Femi, Kunle’s elder brother – steals the drugs and sells it cheaply.

Many important personalities have indicated support for Ogidan on the movement for re-orientation that he is promoting with the film. Among others, wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has passionately asked parents, “Are you bringing up your children properly?”

There was also a musical interlude and a display by children in a candle procession, campaigning against child abuse and trafficking.

The movie is one of Ogidan’s several blockbusters as a prolific movie producer and director. Some of the crème de la crème of the society present to felicitate with him include the Managing Director of Obat Oil and Petroleum, Prince Obateru Akinruntan, and some members of staff; Hajjia Abba Folawiyo and the Yeye Oge of Lagos, Chief Oprah Benson.