Rogers Ofime (born March 10, 1973) is a Nigerian born Canadian based film maker and television producer. He is best known for producing several notable Nigerian television soap operas, including the successful Tinsel,^[1] which was the first multi-camera studio based television daily soap to be produced by a Nigerian producer in all of East, West or North Africa^[2] and more recently Hush.^[3]

Early life

Ofime was born in Lagos, Nigeria. In May 1985, he graduated from St. Paul's Primary School in Lagos, Nigeria and then went on to Iponri Grammar School in Lagos in June 1991 for his secondary school education. After his secondary education, in May 1994 he obtained a Certificate in Drama from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Osun State, southwest Nigeria and another Certificate in Music from the same university in May 1996.

In July 2000 Ofime graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (2nd Class Lower) B.A. Dramatic Arts from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun state, Nigeria.^[4] In October 2004 he obtained a Masters of Arts (PhD Grade) MA Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.^[4] In 2016, he graduated from Robertson College in Canada with a certificate in Business Administration.^[2] He then enrolled for a PHD at the Lagos State University, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Growing up, Ofime looked up to mentors such as Erika Klopper, Desiree Markgraaf, Tade Ogidan, Richard Mofe Damijo, and would grow to become a fan of Steven Spielberg and Tyler Perry. He had his first opportunity given to him by Tade Ogidan, a foremost Nigerian director. But the opportunity that led to his breakthrough in the television and film industry was given to him by Erika Klopper. According to Ofime, "She believed in me when everyone doubted my ability to deliver a studio based multi-cam daily series."^[2]

Career

In 2001, Ofime began producing movies, television series and commercials as a television production manager in Lagos, Nigeria and by 2005, Ofime took a job with South Africa-based Film Company, Sky Sweeper Films. In his time there, Ofime produced his first set of television commercial projects, which enjoyed notable success.^[5]

In 2007, Ofime was head hunted by top South African media company M-net and was commissioned to produce a daily soap opera Tinsel on the M-net/Africa Magic platform. While working on Tinsel, he worked with a 120-member film crew, 15 recurring actors and 500 supporting actors. The show went on to become one of the most viewed television series in Africa, viewed by millions and syndicated across 48 African countries on satellite and local television stations.^[5] It also made him the first Nigerian producer to produce a multi-camera, studio-based daily television soap opera in West, North and East Africa.^[2]

In 2013, Ofime was mandated by M-net to develop a Tele-film initiative by putting together a team of 120 film-makers to produce at least 80 tele-films in 2013, 60 films in 2014 and 40 in 2015. The movie project initiative, which was successful is called the Africa Magic Original Films (AMOF) project.

Ofime relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and set up his own production company, Theatron Media Incorporated^[4] and has worked alongside several notable film producers and directors including Tade Ogidan, Erika Klopper, Juliette Hagopian, Robert Peters, Curtis Graham, Steve Morrisson and Titus Orpen.^[6]

Ofime is the Executive Producer at Native Media TV, a production company, under which platform he produced the series, "Zone 222" and "Till You Are 16" for Africa Magic TV.^[7]

In 2020, he produced a movie tittled "Voiceless". A movie that focuses on the troubles faced by those living in the northern part of Nigeria.^[8]

Personal life

Ofime is married to Olabimpe Ofime. They met in the university, and have been married since 2002. They have two children.

Awards and recognition

At the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), a movie he produced, Oloibiri, was named Best Movie West Africa.^[3] The movie is story of the historic town where Nigeria's first commercial oil discovery was made by Shell Darcy in June 1956, and starring Nigerian great actors like Olu Jacobs and Richard Mofe Damijo, Oloibiri beat A Trip to Jamaica, 76, 93 Days and The CEO to win the award.^[9]

In May 2015, Ofime was honoured with a plaque by the National Association of the Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP, as a certified thespian for his commitment to the development of arts and culture in Nigeria.^[1]

A list of Ofime's awards include

Filmography

References