Apart from Lagos State which has always been the home of not just Yoruba movies but entertainment generally in Nigeria, Abeokuta, Ogun State has also been in frontline when we talk about those who make things happen in the Yoruba movie genre of Nollywood especially when late Hammed Alasari was alive.
A few years after he died, the filmmakers in Ibadan Oyo State utilized the opportunity to snatch the leadership from them as Ibadan was busy producing more fantastic actors, producers and directors with quality movies.
Recently, Abeokuta has however not let this weigh down its chapter as the movie caucuses in the zone are putting in their best to produce more blockbuster movies and also make the new set of actors to hijack the industry soon. www.yorubamoviegist.com compiled and presents to you 8 Yoruba movie groups currently rocking the scene in Egba land.
IGI ALOYE
Just as the Lagos chapter of TAMPPAN has Odunifa caucus which seems to be number one in the state, same it is with Igi Aloye. This is a group that has produced fabulous actors, producers, director and other good hands which has to do with acting. Being one of the oldest groups in the city, Igi Aloye has a lot of coordinators. One the stars they’ve been able to yield include Bose Aregbe, Lekan Olatunji, Olu Olowoogemo and many others. Many of the groups we now have in Abeokuta today came from Igi Aloye.
MR LATIN GROUP
Comic actor, Bolaji Amusan’s caucus popularly known as Mr Latin Production is another group that is giving in its best to make the industry proud. Apart from the blockbusters the group has made which include Mr President, Ori Bishop, Omo Ode De and more, Latin production has been producing its own stars who are right now the boss of themselves and also shaking the industry. They include Odunlade Adekola, Lola Magret, Titi Adeoye, Ayanfe Adeyinka, Folorunsho Adeola and more.
OAFP GROUP
OAFP is the abbreviation of Odunlade Adekola Film Production. Since it was established a few years ago, this group has really helped the Abeokuta chapter of filmmakers in the Yoruba movie industry. Apart from the fact that the group seems to be the biggest in the city at the moment, producing enormous quality of movies back to back, it has also been used to create job for a lot of youth in Abeokuta who are vagabonds but now proud to be somebody in life. Some of the stars from OAFP are Tunde Owokoniran Taiwo Aromokun, Bukola Adeeyo, Biola Adekunle, Eniola Ajao, Muyiwa Olorode and many more.
OGUNGBE FILMS
Even before top actor, Segun Ogungbe was born; his family has always been in frontline amidst the movie makers in Abeokuta. His dad and his uncle, Akin Ogungbe who both died a few years back were one of the pioneers of the movie industry in Egba land. Ogbungbe Films Group is affiliated to Igi Aloye and some of its stars are Wunmi Ajiboye, Tosin Salami and others.
YEMKEM GROUP
Each time the Yemkem movie group is mentioned, a lot of people thought it’s owned by popular therapist, Dr Akintunde Ayeni. We can tell you authoritatively that if you are one of such, you are definitely wrong with such believe. Yemkem is a movie group in Abeokuta owned by Olayemi Jimoh. One of the actors who emanated from the group and rocking the industry is Ifedayo Rufai.
IJAIYE FILMS
In Abeokuta, there is an area which accommodates a lot of actors and producers. However, the actors named the group after the axis and it is called Ijaiye Film Group. Just as Odunifa Caucus is named after Odunifa Street in Ebute Meta, Lagos.
FUNMI ABIJA GROUP
This group is owned by a very youthful actress from the city known as Funmi Abija. She is one of the actors trained under the tutelage of late Alasari. The pretty babe has so many things working for her in Abeokuta. Funmi has the largest dancing troupe in Abeokuta.
OWOLABI AJASA FILMS
Owolabi Ajasa JP is another actor rocking Abeokuta movie scene. His group has over the years been churning out fantastic movies and he has also produced so many young actors rocking the industry at the moment. As it was stated earlier, Abeokuta movie groups are like several eggs in the same basket as they all work together.