Nollywood, the world’s second-largest movie trade by output, has developed via distinct eras—from the nineteenth century to the current.
Since colonial instances, the Golden Age, the video movie period, and now the New Nigerian Cinema and streaming period, Nollywood has profoundly influenced thousands and thousands throughout Nigeria and Africa’s cultural values, beliefs, and views.
But, regardless of its international success, a lot of this storied evolution stays undocumented.
To this finish, The MoNICA Centre and Lufodo Group have partnered to create a everlasting exhibition on the historic Glover Memorial Corridor within the coronary heart of Lagos Island.
The thought is to ascertain a brand new Lagos museum devoted to preserving Nigeria’s movie historical past, simply because the everlasting exhibition will open in February 2025 on the Glover Memorial Corridor.
In an announcement on Saturday, the co-CEO of Glover Memorial Corridor, Joke Silva, mentioned: “Internet hosting Dropping Daylight as a everlasting exhibition right here is an ideal match. This venue performed an instrumental position in shaping the movie trade we have fun right now. It’s symbolic, full-circle, and a reminder of how artwork and tradition thrive when establishments be part of forces.”
Taiwo Adeyemi, director of The MoNICA Centre, emphasised the urgency of this endeavour, saying that amassing, curating, and celebrating this historical past has turn out to be extra important than ever. Making it accessible for youthful generations is essential to preserving this legacy.
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Dropping Daylight
The thought and partnership started in 2023 with Dropping Daylight, a multisensory exhibition that captured Lagos’ consideration by addressing the absence of documented historical past in Nigeria’s movie trade.
The exhibition blended artwork and historical past, showcasing movie relics corresponding to classic posters, gear, scripts, VHS tapes, costumes, and installations that reimagined the golden days of Nigerian cinema.
Quickly hosted at intervals over three months, Dropping Daylight welcomed hundreds of movie fans and tradition custodians in partnership with Ecobank Nigeria, TikTok, and 37 Lagos.
Throughout the occasion, Mr Adeyemi hinted at plans for a everlasting house for the gathering, guaranteeing accessibility past particular occasions. Now formalised as The MoNICA Centre, quick for the Museum of Nigerian Cinema and Artwork, is a registered nonprofit dedicated to changing into a cultural hub for African artwork. “This partnership with Glover Memorial Corridor is a serious step towards realising that imaginative and prescient,” he added.
Glover Memorial Corridor was inbuilt 1887 to honour Captain John Glover, the Governor of the Lagos Colony. Glover Memorial Corridor is steeped in historical past. In 1903, the venue hosted Nigeria’s first public movie screening marking it as pivotal within the early days of Nigerian movie tradition.
The corridor has been a stage for iconic theatre artists corresponding to Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi, and Hubert Ogunde, whose provocative play Yoruba Ronu sparked authorities censorship in 1978. It additionally hosted notable occasions, together with the screening of Wole Soyinka’s Kongi’s Harvest, the W.E.B. Du Bois lecture, and unforgettable performances by jazz greats like Duke Ellington.
The Lagos State Authorities handed over administration of the corridor in 2022 to Lufodo Group, based by Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, with Soji Jacobs on the helm, in partnership with Ciuci Consulting, beneath the management of Chukwuka Monye. Following renovations, Glover Corridor stays an essential venue for culturally vital occasions.
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