Okija: Shrine Saga Enters the Movies

Nigerians are a great lot when it comes to cashing in on opportunities. If not, how can you explain the fact that the recent shrine saga of Okija people is already in movies?

Home Video People can reveal that the sad story of Wednesday, August 4, 2004 raiding of the Ogwugwu Akpu shrines, in Anambra State by men of the Nigeria Police Force, is now on home video courtesy of O.J. Productions Limited, in a movie titled South Connection.

The shocking discovery of over 20 human skulls and 50 decomposing corpses in the shrine and many other sagas surrounding its operation and existence, can now be bought and watched in this soon-to-be-released movie.

In a chat, Ojiofor Ezeanyaeche, the financier and producer of the very controversial and high-budget movie, said he is not scared doing a well-researched movie on the shrine, which the media have also dubbed Okiga Gate. "South Connection is a highly revealing movie. It will shock many the moment it is released nation-wide. We have chosen September 13, 2004, as its release date. Remember that it is not my duty to say whether the stories are true or not, but we are just taking note of a historical issue for posterity."

Nigerians and indeed the world, had read so much about Okija shrine in the papers. It is now time for them to see it real in home videos."

Continuing, the amiable movie-maker went further to reveal that some unknown people had been calling and threatening him not to go ahead with the release of the highly expository movie. "One million of them can't stop me. By the time this movie comes out, Nigerians will then know the real clients that patronised the shrine before its fall," he said.

Meanwhile, in order to ensure that movie-buffs get their money's worth in the much expected movie, the producer brought together some of the heavy weights in Nollywood to dazzle in South Connection. Among them are; Pete Edochie, Enebeli Elebuwa, Kanayo. O. Kanayo, and Pat Attah. Others are; Chidi Mokeme, Prince James Uche and many up and coming acts.