Ibrahim Malami is the newly elected Chairman of the Kano State wing of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). He was a director and producer with Africa Magic, he has acted in many Hausa and English movies and he’s also an entertainment journalist. In this interview, Malami talks about his mission and vision for the entertainment industry, among other issues.
Tell us about your journey ib the industry?
My name is Ibrahim Malami, an actor, a director and a producer in both Kannywood and Nollywood, and I have been in the entertainment sector for over two decades. I was born and raised in Kano State. I attended primary and secondary schools all in Kano. I later joined the National Film Institute Jos in Plateau State and from there I moved to Hallmark Institute of Photography where I obtained a Bsc in Mass Communication.
When I returned to Nigeria, I started working with Africa Magic and was also engaged with various media outlets after resigning from Africa Magic. With time, I resigned and decided to be on my own as an independent artist.
I featured in movies like Kwana Casa’in, Labarina, Izzar So, Sanda and many others both within Kannywood and Nollywood.
What drew you to the, entertainment industry?
The passion for the industry is something I have nurtured since when I was a kid. My passion was initially for music, then my love for the entertainment industry gradually became an obsession, perhaps that was why I strived so hard to get admission into the Film Institute, Jos. The journey to being an actor started while in the institute and that was what motivated me to start as a filmmaker.
My name gradually became a household name.
What is your view on Kannywood and Nollywood?
They are my professional parents; I have been part of both entities and I am proud to tell the world that these two entities will soon be the talk of the world because we have plans for both to come as one.
Can you tell us something about your recent elevation in the industry?
Yes, I was elected as the new state executive chairman of AGN, a position I contested for and won by the grace of God. We came into office with the zeal to take the entertainment industry to the next level; era of analogue practice will soon be over. We intend to upgrade the industry, especially Kannywood, to a level that the world will understand that we are the giant of Africa for a reason.
It is in our manifesto to create a very good synergy between Kannywood and Nollywood on the basis of culture and tradition. Our aim is to ensure that we project our culture, our norms and values to the world irrespective of the medium one has chosen to use. We also have the intention to start shooting Kannywood movies in English as a way of expanding our reach. These among other progressive attempts in uplifting the industry were part of our manifesto and we are hopeful that before the expiration of our tenure, we would be able to attain them all.
What would you say are the challenges of the entertainment industry?
Every practitioner will agree with me that lack of funds and lack of both government and private sector investment in the sector are the major challenges the industry is facing. However, to a large extent, I do not blame the private sector because if the government sector had faith in the industry and had invested in it, the private sector would definitely be interested in investing.
I am sure the private sector is willing, but the system seems to be unstable for investment, this is one of the things we have planned to address. Another is the issue of professionalism, which also we have planned to address by doing the right thing in ensuring all practitioners are professional.
Kannywood is said to be at loggerheads with the Kano State censorship board. What do you intend to do about that?
It is apparent that every regulatory body will have issues with the sector it is mandated to regulate and Kannywood isn’t an exception. However, I am glad that the leadership of the board under Abba Almustapha has been a responsive one. I have a good relationship with Almustapha at a personal level, and I believe being a practitioner himself, we wouldn’t have issues. I am sure we will fine-tune way to cooperate and work in harmony for a progressive industry.
Having Abba as the leader of the board is a blessing to the system. I am sure he would do all that it takes to move the industry to the highest level. All actors in the world, irrespective of their languages, are called actors. We are one entity and I am sure with the innovation that we hope to present to the board, a very cordial relationship between the two bodies will be attained.
Are tiktokers part of the industry?
Of course, they are and you can’t take that away from them only that they are unprofessional and that has been the reason behind them having issues. The social media entertainers are like the quack doctors prescribing the same medication to all ailments. What we need to do is to get them regulated by law. What we have to understand here is that an actor is a role model to his or her supporters, hence the need for them to be regulated to save the future generation.
Are you working on any project presently?
Yes, we are working on a movie that will require the attention of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Kano State government, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). It is a movie on health-related issues which we hope to premier in Kano here.
