I met Amaka in 1989 at home. She came to see my father with her cousin to discuss a project; we met very briefly at the time.
A year or so later, I had finished school, just lost my father and wondering what to do. I got a visit from Tammy Abusi and a few others. They asked me to read a script written by Amaka. I read a few lines and they said they would let me know. A few days or maybe weeks later, they called me back and offered me the role of Anne Haatroope in Checkmate. The rest is History.
Amaka was a lot of things to a lot of people. She was a great teacher and Leader. She had a warm heart large enough for everybody. She taught a lot of people, I included, and she gave it all she had. She never held anything back. She encouraged many to start their careers or businesses; she employed so many people during our checkmate days and after. Always giving everyone a chance. She mentored and encouraged hundreds and she gave thousands of people many enjoyable laughter filled, tear stained years of entertainment through her writing and eventually directing.
She had a fantastic work ethic, she encouraged and supported, and cajoled. She took chances with people she believed in regardless of what other people thought, and had the ability to inspire you by letting you learn from her and not hold anything back. She gave 100%.
Amaka was an exceptional and purposeful woman. She had a vision and carried it out with committed excellence. She had the ability to rise above any situation, disagreement, and disappointment and sort it out usually with sincere warmth and concern for the individuals involved even after the harsh words were spoken.
She did that because she believed in people, and in the film Industry and she could see the big picture and did it for the greater good. She helped start the Association of Movie Producers, instrumental in the start also of ASSOCIATION OF MOVIE PRACTITIONERS, ensuring the various guilds were set up. SHE WAS ALSO A HUGE DRIVER IN PROJECT ACT. Ensuring that the grant from government was channeled in the right direction.
Amaka was the first person in the Film Industry who believed absolutely in my ability as an actress and then as a producer. We became friends while we were working on Checkmate and became closer friends as the years progressed from Checkmate to Violated, To Live again and beyond.
Even when we were not fully in each other’s lives, I always critiqued everything I did on the principles of Amaka’s tutelage. It’s funny looking back now I recognise that the way I work on a film or a project is based on some of the ways Amaka worked on projects.
We worked so successfully together that she spoiled me for other writers/Directors. I have not worked with that many since Amaka, only a small number of people who I judged to be close to her standards.
She was my mentor. When it came to all things Industry she had an opinion of what I should do and she always told me, “Ego oyinbo we have to do this, you have to come and do this or that. You have to make this film”, do this or that, always something. She was my Nollywood link; she kept me anchored to the industry.
Amaka was a wonderful wife to Charles, a loving and devoted mother to Ruby, David and Danny. A devoted daughter to Mrs. Ene, a sister to Sis, Gloria, Uchechukwu, Rita and Bob, a sister in law and daughter in Law to the Igwe family, friend, colleague, business partner, teacher, mentor, Boss to many here.
To me, she was my friend. She changed my life. It may sound Trite, but it is true. I will always be glad that her talents made me realise mine. I hope that in some way I did give her something back.
I will miss her more than I can say. Rest in Peace.