NOLLYWOOD & POLITICS: HON MAKINDE'S TRIPLE EFFECT!

From time immemorial the adage sounds true that it takes a rare spirit of Gung ho, astute professionalism, credibility, charisma and an imbued spirit of humanity and selfless service for anyone to be a leader, trailblazer,  icon and a veritable capstone: this sums up the Man aptly called Maiyegun of Ife, the enigmatic and pungent Hon Rotimi Makinde in the field of Nollywood and politics in Nigeria. 

Since his adventure into Nigerian politics, Makinde has gradually transformed himself into a poster boy for democracy due to his several poverty-alleviation programmes in his constituency. As the English proverb says :"The proof of the pudding is in the eating."

Makinde is a man of destiny as the first Nollywood artiste to be elected as a federal lawmaker in the history of Nigerian politics. He is indeed a trailblazer and a formidable template for grassroot politics in Nigeria and history has reserved a memorable place for this gentleman.


Hon.Rotimi Makinde.

"If I am a bad example of Nollywood actor that joined Nigerian politics. Do you think many of my colleagues would ever dream of contesting for elections in Nigeria? To the glory of God,I have laid the foundation for them to build upon but unfortunately,I did not see the support of any of them when I was contesting for election as a federal lawmaker from Osun state.Success has many friends and family members while Failure is an orphan."



Many Nigerian artistes now interested in politics assume it is a game of chance not knowing that you need to be popular among your people, not because of your number of films produced but you've actually lived among them for many years before coming out to ask for their votes and support.

As Mungo Park, a Scottish surgeon and explorer discovered the course of the River Niger in the present-day Nigeria,the executive governor of the State of Osun,Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola discovered,motivated and commissioned Rotimi Makinde from the theatre industry to join politics.

No wonder the sterling leadership qualities and visible achievements of Hon Makinde in politics have strongly influenced his Nollywood colleagues to join the race to join the political class in Nigeria but uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

According to Hon.Makinde :

"I am humbled that some of my Nollywood colleagues have seen my achievements which really inspired them to join politics.Glory be to God that I am not a bad example.This is a good development but politics is not a child's play.It requires hardwork,sacrifices and feeling the pulse of the people.I want them to have a genuine call to serve their people and not just to increase their popularity as political aspirants.As Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos state is a selling point for APC leadership in Nigeria.I am also the reference selling point for my Nollywood colleagues by the grace of God.I have created a landmark in the political history of Nigeria if not in Africa,just like the former Hollywood film actor Arnold became the governor of California in America."



For his Ile-Ife people,Makinde who is seeking for second-term in office said he remains committed as a true democrat and chief servant of his people and will never let them down.

On his Nollywood colleagues,Makinde stressed the need for unity and cordial relationship among his former colleagues because unity is strength.

"Many of my colleagues have been coming to me on individual basis and I am doing my possible best to assist them in my own way,but I want them to unite.I have sponsored bills at the national assembly to champion their cause.Many of them work like elephants but eat like ants."

Credits: Jagunmolu Dare Lasisi & Lamzat