By Opa Williams, PhD.
Chico I have come to know not only as a kinsman as we both come from the same community, the same local government but a soulmate.
We have made some life journeys together and we have planned for more journeys until death did us part. I was doing my corporate marketing support services few years after my overseas educational sojourn when I ran into Zeb Ejiro whom I had known in Ajegunle at NTA.
“You don see Chico?” he had asked me and that was how I reunited with Chico, Lucky Ejeta, Taiwo Ebikeme and Sunny Ossai (these guys I had know in my AJ days).
I equally reunited with Kepy Ekpenyong my school mate at FSS Victoria Island.
Chico was the youngest of all of us and most energetic, vibrant and dynamic. We struck a fine bond from that point.
And so when I left Nationwide television and started my first Tv program ‘Cuisine Internationale’, Chico was my first call and eventually my director. We went ahead to start another tv program ‘Two can Play’, (where Chico met Joy his wife of 26 years).
Probably by now, I wouldn’t be this known today if not for Chico who lured me into the formative stage of what is today Nollywood . “I go talk to the artistes, you go get camera from Nationwide…. we go get marketer to buy am…the story good..and the concept of three languages…” That’s how we shot ‘Deadly Affair’ and the rest is history as they say.
Fast forward when Tv soaps and programs were enjoying huge advert patronage this same Chico while we were having a bowl of starch and Banga soup selflessly advices me into to go into it “I go carry you go meet the agency guys…”
When the idea of ‘Nite of a Thousand Laughs’ came up, one person that came to mind again was Chico as a reliable partner alongside Azubike Udensi (our movie marketer then, come to think of it, they are both gone).
This same-guy would call me or include me in any benefiting Nollywood issues going on.
This Chico became a rallying point when it comes to Nollywood and it’s cause. After the days work we will all gather at West Coast (Chico’s office) for gists and banters. Words and statements like “fire” since 1879” “cry” “there will be war” may no more find a place of pronouncement.
This guy Chico is known for quick phone discussions, it doesn’t matter if he called you or you called him, he will cut the call as soon as the point is made, but on December 23, we talked for over 50mins with a promise to see the next day. He promised my wife that he will be coming to eat Banga and starch on new year day.
We couldn’t see the next day courtesy of the traffic situation from Surulere to Lekki (google map has shown 2hrs14mins) I had to turn back at National Theatre. The next morning I had wanted to surprise him with an early morning visit 8.00am precisely, as I entered the car strapping the seat belt, a call came ”ichico ghuruo” (Chico is dead) from Tony Akposhere. In my state my driver give me a hanky “oga you dey cry o”
In my life amongst the few people who have had strong influenced the course of my life are Efere Mista Ozako and Chico John Meziakpono. I await my turn and hope that it will be a farther date (ojo ajira sira won)
LIFE NA YAWA!
