Amaka Igwe//ⓘ (2 January 1963 – 28 April 2014) was a Nigerian filmmaker and broadcasting executive. Igwe was the owner of Top Radio 90.9 Lagos and Amaka Igwe Studios. She was recognized as one of the second-generation filmmakers who helped begin the video film era of Nigerian cinema. She remained a prominent figure in the industry until her death in 2014 resulting from an asthma attack.[1]
On 2 January 2020, Igwe was honoured on her 57th posthumous birthday with a Google Doodle.[2][3][4]
Early life and education
Uzoamaka Audrey "Amaka" Igwe was born to Isaac and Patience Ene on 2 January 1963 in Port-Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State, south-south Nigeria. Igwe was the fifth of seven children, and the fourth of six sisters. She was known as "GCO" (General Commanding Officer) by her father and "Storm" by her mother because she was always busy with some activity. As a child she acted as a Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.[citation needed]
She studied at All Saints School and Awkunanaw Girls High School in Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria. She boxed, played basketball, and was captain of the girls' soccer team. During her A-Levels at Idia College, Benin, Igwe began to explore her creative side. She taught people the Atilogwu dance and competed nationally. She also began writing plays and songs. Amaka Igwe wanted to study law, but officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) offered her "Education and Religious Studies (Theology)" instead. Hence, she studied Education/Religion at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).
From OAU, Igwe jointed the MNET short celluloid film "Barbers Wisdom" as director and then proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where she obtained a master's degree in Library and Information Sciences. She spent her time during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a travelling secretary for the Scripture Union. She then worked at the Anambra State University of Technology as an executive director at Eida Information Systems before settling in the creative industry. She married her husband Charles Igwe in April 1993 and had three children.[5]
Talent
Igwe was an accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher. A pioneer of modern Nigerian TV drama and film, she hit national limelight as the writer and producer of award-winning TV soap ‘Checkmate’ and its offshoot ‘Fuji House of Commotion’. Her Nollywood projects include Rattle snake and Violated, which set Amaka Igwe Studios apart in the Video film era of Nigerian cinema. She founded BOBTV Exp.,[6] and was the founder and CEO of the Lagos mainland-based Top Radio 90.9FM station,[5] the quality content production powerhouse, Amaka Igwe Studios and Q Entertainment Networks, and DSTV channel.[5]
Legacy
Igwe will be remembered for raising the bar in movie and TV production in Nigeria, setting, attaining and maintaining high standards with her company Amaka Igwe Studios at a time when Nollywood was not taken seriously, for not conforming to low standards as a means to achieving success and for inspiring many Nigerian movie makers, Nigerians, and the world as a whole.
A sense of duty to and respect for God, her family, excellence in everything, the integrity and quality of her work, and tradition in general was an integral part of Amaka. She loved her family, and resolved to always be there for them. Amaka Igwe invested in people, and they remain her testimony. She often told those she directly trained that she would give them what she had so they could add to what they had and be better than her. She never thought she was indispensable, and she was committed to the growth and sustenance of the Creative Industries.[7]
Honors and tribute
Igwe won a number of awards during her career. In 2011, Nigeria recognized her substantial efforts and immense contributions to the creative industry by awarding her with the Nigerian National Order of '"MFR," which stands for "Member of The Federal Republic of Nigeria."[8][9]
