Dollie Popman is an event savvy gentle man and has passion for the Disc Jockey. I met him during our university days in the University of Calabar, where I had the opportunity of playing a role in TALENTICA (Talents in Calabar) alongside KAODIMO OQUA of Rainbow Connexions and then later Miss Cross River beauty pageant. In him you will see the homeliness of his personality each time he is either organizing or co-organizing an event, then the Dexterity in his handling of the music machine at Asma Nite club at the paradise city Hotel.

 It was not because he was wayward or irresponsible, but the creative spirit of success was his driving force. Something inside him was nudging him forward despite the parental disapproval. He had to disobey his father to fulfill this passion. Most people who succeed in what they do are so because it comes from their hearts. When you put a piece of your heart in what you do, you become a success.

Dollie took the decision to be a DJ back in the days when being a DJ puts a societal blight on your personality and family. Hear him..“as a village boy and a secondary school student my dad shut down a party and chased me away. I was the "operator" (as local DJs were then called). Determined to make a mark, I stood my ground and went all the way to becoming the Resident DJ in top clubs; Asma Nite club in Paradise City Hotel, Metro Disco Palace at Metropolitan Hotel, now Transcorp Tuxedo Junction, Crystal Palace Studios all in Calabar, Cross River State. In Cross River Radio and later AKBC, the village boy ruled as top-notch host of several chart-topping music shows, hobnobbing with the high and mighty including the nation's biggest boys and girls! Then of course I paid school fees at University of calabar from my DJ fees.

In October 2011 while on DJ duties, I was appointed to my present Government House role, where I have served two governors, walked the red carpet and mingled with 8 Presidents and heads of governments, countless Governors and ex Governors, senators, ambassadors, ministers, power brokers, military high commanders, movie stars, A list celebrities, media gurus, business moguls, top dollar lawyers, high brow professionals and all. I've been to all the best countries of the 6 continents.

I have shared the same stage with 50 Cent and Ciara, performing live! Including all the A-list Naija musicians, I've jammed with DJ Trauma, DJ Whookid, P. Diddy & T - Pain just to mention but 4!

My dad and I became very close even as a mere DJ! He was proud of his village boy until we lost him 3 years ago. May his soul Rest in Peace. My 3 sons are kicking the game too - Clinton,13 plays the keyboard. Lionel,11 is a lead guitarist and Aniekpeno,9 is a drummer. They have a band, The Benjamin Crew.

My advice to people is “Pursue your passion. Do what you believe in. Do your thing. Forget haters, look forward for there's more in front than behind. Don't let no one stop you, but please go to school, it’s an interesting place. The world today is ruled by knowledge”.

Dollie is always giving multitude of thanks to God Almighty who has blessed him with talents & brought him this far.

 He said “Who am I! A mere village boy who became a top DJ and a Certified International Protocol Expert!

 

For Dollie,this is just a pencil sketch of his journey so far. The sky is only the begining

 

By Don Kester Oshioreame

From a sociological perspective, the 22:46 minute short film by Ovunda Ihunwo (DGN), titled Chiringo (My God doesn’t take bribe) is a revisit of Marx’s theory of Class Class Struggle which basically thrives on the principle of social stratification that creates a marked delineation in fiscal, political, social, etc terms amongst people in society.

The Honourable, Nyemenuka Kpakota (Ovunda Ihunwo) effectively represented the bourgeoisie (political elite, put in specific terms) in society while Chiringo (Juliet Urenna) and her mother (Joy Success) were the proletariats; the plebs, oppressed, deprived, and disadvantaged in society. The story set in Rivers State (Ikwerre) is a simple plot woven around the apparent abuse of power and the advantages that come with it. The honourable ran for office to represent his people and attract development, but would rather deprive an indigent constituent of a scholarship opportunity to medical school and chose to offer his biological son the opportunity at the expense of a brilliant but indigent Chiringo who incidentally, came out tops at the entrance examination. All pleas to do the honourable thing by awarding the scholarship meant for the indigent, fell on deaf ears. In the characteristic manner of many a political elite, they would rather sacrifice merit and excellence on the altar of political party patronage and loyalty. However, in a twist of fortune, replete with Morality Plays, Chiringo eventually qualified as a medical doctor by the sheer resilience and sacrifice of her widowed mother. Then the Karmic law of retributive justice caused the path of honourable Nyemenuka Kpakota and Chiringo to cross again. As the leveler; COVID-19 would not permit many elites to embark on Medical Tourism, as usual, honourable was rushed to a middle-class clinic after a dramatic fainting episode whilst called to give an account of his stewardship in office. Incidentally, Chiringo was the doctor on duty, and the revelation ensues.

As a well-researched and scripted piece of satire, Chiringo probed the very fabric of our social structures; massive acts of corruption, the hypocrisy of the elites, maladministration, dysfunctional institutions, religious hypocrisy, perversion of justice, etc.

In terms of dramaturgy, Ovunda managed his cast for this short movie very well, cutting out irrelevant scenes and characters, which helped to focus on the basic thematic thrust of the story, which is justice. Again, it is relevant to underscore the use of apposite registers (which aided fluidity in language and dialogue) for the characters that in no little way made the script interesting, cerebral and professional. The character of the medical doctor stands out in this regard. It answers the question of research, which is mostly missing in many a script in Nollywood. 

The blend of vernacular and English language coupled with near-perfect subtitling made comprehension engaging and effective.

As a well-researched and scripted piece of satire, Chiringo probed the very fabric of our social structures; massive acts of corruption, the hypocrisy of the elites, maladministration, dysfunctional institutions, religious hypocrisy, perversion of justice, etc.

In terms of dramaturgy, Ovunda managed his cast for this short movie very well, cutting out irrelevant scenes and characters, which helped to focus on the basic thematic thrust of the story, which is justice. Again, it is relevant to underscore the use of apposite registers (which aided fluidity in language and dialogue) for the characters that in no little way made the script interesting, cerebral and professional. The character of the medical doctor stands out in this regard. It answers the question of research, which is mostly missing in many a script in Nollywood. 

The blend of vernacular and English language coupled with near-perfect subtitling made comprehension engaging and effective.

Histrionics was near flawless by both major and supporting actors. Acting reeked of professionalism. The manner characters seamlessly walked in and out of different moods and emotions as the story progressed should be applauded. The chemistry was real and authentic which again calls to question one of the weaknesses that have dog tailed some movies over time; the evidence of lack of depth in characterization and believability in role interpretation owing to lack of rehearsal or the absence of an artistic director. This was not an issue in my view in Chiringo. Kudos must go to Ovunda who himself is not just a distinguished thespian but also a multi-talented lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Visually, the locations though not much, rightly so, were on point; carefully chosen and managed effectively, as it enhanced the storytelling technique employed by the director, which to my mind is the Latin Media Res (in the midst of things). It is an avant-gardist approach to film narrative as it defies traditional persuasions. At the risk of sounding critical, many Nollywood enthusiasts have always pointed to the exotic and synthetic locale and scenic designs employed by many producers and directors alike which makes our visual interpretation somewhat unreal, if not fake. Our location must be in sync with our story. Our production elements must not stir conflict. This was another positive for Chiringo.

In terms of shots, we had a variety of them fitting for the mood of the situations in the scenes. Amazingly, the shots were not repetitive thus becoming boring. The use of flashback was not cliché, i.e. zoom into the face of the subject (narrator) then dissolve into the past event or use the predictable line of transition “This is my story” and at the end; “That was how it happened” the storytelling technique used by the director was fresh and innovative, if not radical.

The flavor of the local music added verve to the entire ambience. That was commendable.

 I wasn’t too sure the costume beneath the doctor’s coat worn by Dr, Chirongo. The pants looked rather too lengthy thus clumsy but the character managed it well by her brisk movement when she had to move around.

However, a major discrepancy in the entire production was a point of medical research especially within the precinct of the COVID-19 health protocol for health workers; it is required of medical personnel attending to patients in the Covid-19 season, to be properly kitted with face masks, hand gloves, also, washing of hands and use of sanitizers should have been prioritized.

Otherwise, Chiringo is an apt chronicle by a committed filmmaker who makes a serious effort at capturing for posterity an important epoch in national history; a time where public servants would rather faint when called to give an account of their stewardship, a time when public officers falsify documents to their own advantage just to renege their responsibility and subvert justice, a time where the elite thinks ill-gotten wealth can fetch them whatever they desire.