The Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) has said that the country’s creative industry has lost “an irreparable rare gem” in the death of veteran filmmaker, Eddie Ugboma.
The veteran filmmaker, who died while being prepared for surgery in Lagos on May 10, held record as the only African to have shot 13 films on celluloid.
A statement by the Acting Chief Executive of NFC, Mr Sanusi Sambo, on Wednesday in Jos described his death as shocking and painful.
Sambo said that the creative industry had lost an “irreparable rare gem”, whose creative ingenuity had been a source of pride and inspiration to other filmmakers.
“His landmark achievements and impact will be engraved in the history of the Nigerian film industry.
“The corporation witnessed a monumental take-off and stability as the pivot film agency in Nigeria when Chief Ugboma was appointed the Chairman of its Board.
“He set a formidable foundation for the corporation’s achievements today when he became the chairman from 1988 to 1991.
“As a trained journalist and director also, the late Ugboma would give his very best at anything he sets out to undertake,“ Sambo added.
The NFC official said it was during his tenure that colour laboratory came on full stream for the processing of films shot on celluloid.
He expressed the Nigerian creative industry’s gratitude for the sacrifices he made toward its growth and development.
Sambo said that the deceased’s sacrifices also created massive job opportunities for Nigerians as well as provided home entertainment for a large population of Africans and those in the diaspora.
NAN reports that the late Ugboma directed films such as the Rise and Fall of Oyenusi in 1979, The Boy is Good, and Black President, amongst others.
He died at the age of 79 years.
