Jan 08 2009
Lessons from Jennifa 1&2
Yeah, you read the title well. It will seem so shameful to some, but I watched it. 
Let me say clearly for starters though, that watching that movie was not a natural impulse for me, but haven watched it, and the way my mind works, I have no regrets. Jennifa, Starring Funke Akindele (tell her to contact me for an interview – should be interesting) is interesting to watch. Buy and watch, don’t watch it on facebook, let the artists prosper!
Jennifa was a slightly exaggerated and humorist view of what is happening in our society. It is also moral in the traditional yoruba kind of way – as the traditional yoruba stories always have a lesson for you to learn. Jennifa has tipped as a film, I started getting interested one day when I saw about 30 people of different ages, mostly ladies gathering at a bus-stop steering at a TV set on the street. I thought they were watching football, but as I drove past, I saw they were watching Jennifa. Haven watched it, I’m somehow happy they did watch it, and I’m happy for the team that put it together that their movie sold. There were some observations I made however in my special watch, and some lessons I want to crystallize.
A good number of the things that happened in Jennifa are things I’m aware are going on with ladies in our higher institutions and in society. Jennifa has interestingly brought them to limelight. Please bear with me as it may seem I’m a swinging a little towards the ladies side today, obviously its because this is based on Jennifa. Sadly however, guys, some of us are the cause and the drivers of most of these issues.
Observations
Please if you are a parent and you have daughters in school, please pay close attention to these, these are the current facts. We pray for change but these things are no mere jokes, they are happening for real. The first line are observations from the movie, and the others, just a few thoughts from moi.
1. A good percentage of our tertiary institution students don’t speak good English.
I have interfaced with over 10,000 students as candidates, and please take my word for it. Witnesses?
2. There are many people in school who have been there for years, that are not students of that school or anyone at all for that matter.
I have personally hosted a lady that agreed with me that she lives in Oduduwa hall in Ife, after she mistakenly claimed to me to be a student of OAU. Can I have a witness on the net?
3. Most nights in school, you see lots of flashy cars, even in far away schools where you think social civilization is centered around the schools. Most of those cars are owned by Aristoes – Older men with pot bellies who have come to pick up ladies.
hmmm. Witnesses?
4. Tertiary institution ladies have become regular accessories for any party happening in town.
I have personally seen luxurious buses in schools packed full of ladies being sourced for a party 2-3hrs away from their campuses. I have heard of corporate functions and end of year parties loaded with campus “Bigs Girls”. I have heard of a Bank regional heads meeting, where campus babes were used to cool off. A friend told me about an incident that made him publicly shout “Jesus!”. The interesting thing is I know there are people out there who’ll say, “Deolu, you have seen nothing” – Witnesses?
5. There are people in higher institutions who come from humble backgrounds and get lured into a life of pressure and competition by hanging out with the wrong gang. Some of them also in trying to escape the stigmatization of village girl live extreme lives, change their names to Tracy, Jennifa and Becky.
Sorry to say, but these names have become the brand of prostitutes. If I meet a lady in Nigeria for the first time and she’s from the west and introduces herself as Tracy, I wonder.
6. Exam malpractice’s are real.
Ladies and guys, none are left out. People that spend their times on the wrong things, usually end up wanting to desperately excel. Witnesses
7. Some ladies have sex with lecturers for better grades.
I’m sure this is common knowledge. In the university I went, one of the most decent in Nigeria by all standards, I have heard of different types of stories. I have heard of an elderly lecturer who gets it done on his office table. I have heard of a lecturer who fainted in one of such acts with the lady running out creating a scene, I have heard and know of people who actually don’t have what is going on so coded.
8. In society, there are ladies (high profiled) who meet up with Jazz men to give them what will make them able to keep in bondage any man that has had sex with them.
Just like there was “Magun”, now there is “Malo”. I haven’t heard much about this, but it kind of like figures. Any Witnesses?
9. “Bigs Girls” are getting higher returns from having anal sex with top shots.
I actually heard about this in a gist outside the shores of Africa. In the story I heard over a year ago, it actually has gotten so bad for some of the ladies, that they now wear pampers. Top shots? I hear that’s our leaders, in whatever capacity you want to describe it. I can’t shout.
Lessons Taught.
I like the way the movie ended in both parts. It ended sadly, and truly the end of these types of lives can’t be well. I advice that people learn from these lessons and quit while they are ahead.
1. Hanging around for parties called by anyone may actually lead to death.
Some ritualists also organize events and the easiest preys today are ladies. Sadly. I have seen some of these ladies around, and trust me I’m not into hanging out for parties, and sometimes it just touches my heart when I wonder if these people have families.
2. Sleeping with lecturers does not always produce the desired result. Jennifa was almost doing twice daily and it still backfired. Sleeping with lecturers hands you a skill that you may need to do to get along in life. It’s demeaning, and reduces the user into a mere tool. You’ll rather not start.
3. We usually never see the end of what we are doing, the beginning of it always looks glamorous, but the end is not so celebrated. Before you do something, ask yourself, what are the possible ends of these and who are the successful long term role models.
4. Parents need to educate themselves. If the parents have zero insight into how the higher institutions operate they are powerless to help or direct their children. The old concept of collecting money for Dic, for Tion and for Ary, in the bid to cheat parents who should have paid for Dictionary has taken on immense proportions. Ask your child where she or he got that phone you didn’t buy for them from.
5. People change, and players can find true love.
Tracy decided to get a new start, and it paid off. Even though the consequences of the seeds we sow will not abort before harvest, we still have the opportunity of beginning again and getting it right.
6. Everything you do in life has it’s reward. They all paid dearly for their conduct, Becky was rewarded with a damaged anal section and body odor, Jennifa with AIDS, and Tracy with a broken womb.
7. Miracles can happen, and that might be the theme of part 3
Feel absolutely free to share and circulate this, I fear that many just watch films and never learn, maybe this can help make it vivid enough. What we sow, is what we’ll reap, here or hereafter. Or sontin li dat, you know, as in, later
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hahahahahha
Baba D …. I gbadun u too much o. Someone actually sent part 1 to us here n we are awaiting the shipment of part 2. You are spot on with your analysis of the moral fiber in our world now. Another recurring factor is the d disintegration of family values and the obvious effect it is having on us all. Remember when Jenifa went home to visit her parents for the first time after resuming in school – she gave them gifts and the mum was not wise enough to ask where the money really came from but became very excited. That is the same reason yahoo boys can drive the car bought from their scam to their parents’ house without fear. You can’t do that in my parent’s house, till now they still monitor your ways even though one is independent. I hope people learn from these kind of films and not just enjoy the good acting and humor. Thanks for sharing this.
Ayobami
http://www.ayooladejo.com
lol, bro deolu, i nearly shouted when i saw that topic…lol
I thouth i was the only Nollywood film critic that secretly watched it….lol
I love funke akindele. I fell in love with her acting during her days on set for “I need to Know”. I love the fact that she’s got finesse, at least better than most Yoruba Nollywood actress.
Jennifa was an inspiring lesson ridden story that makes a whole lot of sense. I have not seen funke that hilarious…lol
It sure has lessons and as you’ve highlighted above, i hope that individuals will not just watch it for entertainment sake, but learn lessons there in as well.
Need i say that it’s the first Nigerian nollywood movie that has a part 2 that i will not hiss about their ending….
Hi Deolu ,
Commenting on the Film Jenifa was in the right direction .You have pointed out several moral lessons to be learnt .
Hope persons in situations depicted by the ”bigs girls” would learn.
And , what is the shame in watching Jenifa.
If it were an American or Indian there would be no shame watching it abi !
LOL….good lessons.
I have slept through 2 attempts at trying to watch the whole movie. I must finish it today!!! that is not to say that i’m not very familiar with the funny terms used in the movie.
I hope all those who want to be “bigs girls and bigs boys” would take note of this lessons.
I may just watch home videos this year.
She that walks with a he goat will smell like one, a word is enough for… I no fit shout!
Well i have only seen the part one of jenifa i think i will go for part two today. there is lesson to be learned from all these movies especially when you see a good story. Thumbs up Funke Akindele, Baba Deolu i will give Nogerian movies a chance this year.
This flim is a must for all women, young or old, married or not,parents, especilly mothers should try and watch this film,Thumbs up for funke akindele and others.
@Busee
Is that your new year resolution? maybe i will submit a proposal for supplies even though i don’t watch.
Deolu, I was surprised when I saw the title of your new post. I also saw both parts of the movie but only after some people I know and respect asked me to or did not stop talking about it. I agree with all the notes you have made of the movie and may just cancel my own write up on the movie and just circulate yours as it is more apt and captivating. It is a shame what our university campuses have become, a terrible shame when those that are supposed to carve destinies of peoples and the nation indulge in terrible acts of immorality and disrespect to the mandate handed them. It is a shame to note that the value system in our universities are corrupt that I wonder what hope for the future of this nation. I watched with dismay when many times students spend more time on campus doing irrelevant things or majoring in minor issues only to spend whatever time is left before exams preparing micro-chips (‘expo’, ‘egun’ etc.) for use illegally in exams and tests and some others going the mile to exploit the moral decadence of lecturers by offering bribes (cash or in kind) for grades. Perhaps the only other area of concern for me that the movie did not address is the callousness of student leaders a lot of whom rather than see their office as an opportunity to learn leadership and impact on their community, celebrate acts of hooliganism, vandalism and in some cases become the foot soldiers for politicians. I do not regret the close to four hours spent on seeing Jenifa and hope that it is seen by others as a clarion call for action. Action to stem in the bud the bad value system on our campuses (and nation). Action to promote a positive culture on campus and showing of the benefits of these. Action to hold responsible for their actions corrupt teachers and students on our campuses.
‘Deolu, Thank you for this post.
Deolu, I was surprised when I saw the title of your new post. I also saw both parts of the movie but only after some people I know and respect asked me to or did not stop talking about it. I agree with all the notes you have made of the movie and may just cancel my own write up on the movie and just circulate yours as it is more apt and captivating. It is a shame what our university campuses have become, a terrible shame when those that are supposed to carve destinies of peoples and the nation indulge in terrible acts of immorality and disrespect to the mandate handed them. It is a shame to note that the value system in our universities are corrupt that I wonder what hope for the future of this nation. I watched with dismay when many times students spend more time on campus doing irrelevant things or majoring in minor issues only to spend whatever time is left before exams preparing micro-chips (’expo’, ‘egun’ etc.) for use illegally in exams and tests and some others going the mile to exploit the moral decadence of lecturers by offering bribes (cash or in kind) for grades. Perhaps the only other area of concern for me that the movie did not address is the callousness of student leaders a lot of whom rather than see their office as an opportunity to learn leadership and impact on their community, celebrate acts of hooliganism, vandalism and in some cases become the foot soldiers for politicians. I do not regret the close to four hours spent on seeing Jenifa and hope that it is seen by others as a clarion call for action. Action to stem in the bud the bad value system on our campuses (and nation). Action to promote a positive culture on campus and showing of the benefits of these. Action to hold responsible for their actions corrupt teachers and students on our campuses.
‘Deolu, Thank you for this post.
Deolu,
Nice one… I don’t normally watch yoruba films but I really enjoyed this one. It’s got humor and lots of lessons to learn.Funke really did a great job in the movie.
But for a part 3..??!!… No way O!..
Let the lessons from the movie stick to pple’s hearts with the way parts 1 & 2 ended.
wow….i really was suprised when i saw the title of the post.i would never have thought that you could take out time to watch a movie like that. however, judging from the lessons you’ve outlined here; it was worth the time spent.
i totally agree with the lessons you drew out and clearly outlined….so many of our tertiary institiutions are becoming breeding ground for evil.A these are lessons which are obvious to anyone who has seen the movie. but sadly, the truth is some people never learn. we live in a world where people are so driven by greed that they’d do just about anything to get what they want; they’d literally “kill” for these things that have no eternal value.i guess its the darkness that surrounds the age. i hope some people are turned away from those vices after watching, i really hope so. or else the whole aim of the movie (in as much as people are entertained) would have been defeated. I’m hoping that one day i’d see a post that says “my interview with the Jenifer-star” or something. I love your site. you are an inspiration to me and so many other people. Keep up the good work….God bless you sir
Hmmm….Jenifa 1&2…That is a film that i will root for anyday anytime. I was not only a critic fo the nollywood films..i despised them with passion. However, Jenifa succeeded in making me look for and watch a part 2 nollywood film. Ok apart from the lessons, i was struck by the level of professionalism in the film production. The script is superb as I was never lost thruout the duration of the film. The actors matched and portrayed their roles excellently. And Jenifa was suprisingly consistent all through the film particularly in her village accent. Doubt if she slipped for once in her accent or carriage.
This is both hilarious and serious… Its a big complicated issue in our society, the blame of which can not only be directed at negligent parents/wards nor the victims in question. In my opinion it is a meltdown of our socio-economic state which is driven by our so-called leaders. We cannot also totally exonerate our individual selves from guilt. We’re all partakers in this decadence!!
I’m also a secret critic of this Nollywood movies. I must admit that I’ve been quite impressed lately, though I’m yet to see this “Jennifer” in question. Funke Akindele and Dayo Amusa are dynamites in little packets!
Deolu, nice 1.
Jenifer!!!
It’s a good film. I spent one of my nights last week watching it with my wife. She got the two parts from a friend.
This is a big kudos to Funke for a job well done. I trust it will help the society and also pray they will hear.
Good analysis Deolu, i wish we could get our journalist to write this kind of analysis of film instead of what we currently have.
Nice one Deolu, even though i have a clue you do watch movies when possible but the last i could think of is Yoruba Movies but here you go with sound presentation of the lesson from this movie.
I’m a serious fan of Nollywood movies despite all the short comings of storyline, acting and production, my opinion is “if we should close our eyes for a bad person to pass, if care if not taken a good person too will pass without one knowing it” As for me i watch a lot of Nollywood movies and in the midst of plenty quite a number of them with sensible lessons to gain from it.
Interestingly, i just read a profile of Funke Akindele about 2 weeks ago and discovered there that she is a graduate of Law from Lagos university, infact she is very impressive in most of her storyline and acting.
I have not fully watch this movie but a few clips from You-Tube, it’s not available where i buy from but i’m happy to call for it from Naija, weldone Deolu and keep up the great work.
Big Ups to Funke and to Broda Adeolu for not only highlighting the sound lessons of the movie, but also for this tacit endorsement of the Nigerian home videos. The market and the industry can only improve with this endorsement. I also saw part 1 because my people at home were talking about it and ‘made me watch it’ and they have started making fun ‘gbogbo awon big girls’.
And as Peter said, Funke Akindele has done well for herslef and the industry as I can say that she has consistently churn out blockbusters with excellent story lines. I think she came to the industry with a purpose in mind as she could very well have gone the english film routes as she was a resounding success as tennager on the famous family series ‘I need to know’.
Peter, can you place your order for the films as usual and I think I can deliver in 48hrs…..Laughs!
Pastor D!
As I always fondly call you!
I love this analysis!
TRUTH! timeless and ageless, with unmatchable critical logic, you have deployed!
TRUTH as a weapon is very potent in the re-discovery and emancipation of an egalitarian society!
I’d also like reinforce the voice of truth,so that we can have a reverberating echo of sound reasoning to transform the current decadence in our corporate national life!
Jenifa was also a victim of the disruption and destruction of poverty.
We should all take time to watch this sobering movie and see the tears of Jenifa! at the end.
Those are tears that come from the grief of genuine pain rooted in
1)greed and foolishness;
2)Poverty and hope/dream of better life/tomorrow, that is not based on knowledge/principles.
There is lesson for all!
Thanks so much Pastor D!
I think the yoruba movie industry has reached a tipping point. At least another yoruba actress has demonstrated empirically that something good can come out of nollywood. I am glad funke brought her education to bear on the movie. I look forward to more outstanding films.
Oluyemi Adeosun
It is if i have watched the movie afterall. I am not a fan to Home videos, i like most of the stories and because of its easy predicability, i scarcely sit down to watch. But i will search on for this one.
Thanks for the lessons in it.
Thanks my brother. Though i’v not seen the movie, i catch the stroy.
Deolu,
Good piece, even though the system we are in allows for moral decadecy amongst both young & old, rich & poor. The fact remains that Gods’ standard cannot and will not be lowered. As the His word made us to understand that no sinner will go unpunished. And though the Lord love the sinner he hates sin. This is another opportunity for everyone of us to examine ourselves and see were we’ve fallen and retrace our steps back to God Almighty. When parents beging to live right focus on the right thing live by examples, make out time to talk with their children(starting early enough) before they even get to tertiary institions.Prayerfully lead them in the way of the Lord. With all these efforts and moch more and God being on ourside we’ll be able to reduce to the mimimum such evil happen to our wards. God help us all.
This is very true Deolu. I have seen many like that back on campus. There was a case I witnessed (and I may say I was part of). A Christian lady – born again – who got admitted into the polytechnic, though engaged back home, she joined bad got involved with bad company and ended up in the hand of cult guys. Thanks to God she realized on time and was helped to trace her steps. There was another story of one that after all her atrocities was best described as insane.
In great teachings through films I’ll want to commend Mike Bamiloye of Mount Zion Films and his team. Their films are amazing and life transforming…always.
Hope people will learn!
@All
I really don’t know where to start from, I’m pretty excited that this little experiment of mine worked. I’m glad I watched, and not only silently, but decided to write about it, maybe this will be the beginning of blogging movies… and hopefully driving traffic to what is worth watching
@Kenn
The it’s a shame is what I expect a lot of elites to express, and indeed watching a lot of Nigerian movies I’m sorry to say is a shame. There are movies I will not allow my children to watch for fear of it affecting their IQ, just like there are foreign ones too – I have special beef for tele-tubies. I’m however glad about this one because it was good and well done. What can I say, we need to watch with an open mind and be selective. We must open our eyes, so we can see both good and evil and filter them away from our children and the people we have responsibility over.
Growing up, I was a walking video recorder. I watched a lot of movies both local and the Rambos, James Bonds, Robocops, etc. If you weren’t around while the viewing lasted, just call on me and I’ll render it in details. However, nowadays I hardly watch movies maybe because I do not have the time. Once in a while, I let loose my grip on my schedule and loosen up with good movies and I can watch all night. It was my more spiritual and very choleric wife that came home one day to tell me of a movie that someone gisted to her about in her office. It was hilarious although I thought it was exaggerated.
Deolu’s observations are very real. I remember July 10 1999 at Mozambique Hall OAU Ile-ife. It was a scene I’ve heard in gists but saw for real. Posh cars, the make that I do not know of, same colour, brand new, close to a dozen, parked in front of the aforementioned hall. I was coming from “class”, not lectures but from late night study. I think it was a party train. The wonder of the situation was later dulled in my mind because because few hours later cult guys would later strike and kill 5 students in a most barbaric act.
Ooopss…I got interested in this post right from the title..This is because my lil’ sis and i just bought a dog (German Shepherd) few weeks ago and had decided to name her Jenny (short form of Jeniffer). We bought it for biz sake. So i was like what is the lesson in here..
I don’t do yoruba films like that except for some few ones on MM Africa, this is because i know where they r driving at from the beginning…The lesson learnt in Jeniffer is no news to me sha..Thanks all the same
I know so many people have learnt from these and more will still learn.
Thank you sir
Happy new year..Deolu.
My wife watched the movie with my 10 month old and the boy could not understand why she was laughing so hard. ‘cos of this post I will follow my wife recommendation and find time to watch…
cheers,
opeyemi
Deolu, I hardly see Nigerian movies but I think you’ve done a good marketing for this one. I’ll try to see if i can get one on my way home from work today. What an influence you are!
Thanks Deolu the chief marketing officer. I hardly watch Nigerian movies, I tag them “eran iya osogbo” simply because it’s very easy to read between the lin es. This is a great story, and kudos for highlighting the lessons learnt.
I will surely look out for these movies.
Another fantastic post from you Deolu and a great endorsement for Funke Akindele’s film!I watch Nigerian movies and am a strong supporter of home made movies, maybe because i have been involved in two award winning movies from the Amstel Malta Stable-Sitanda and White Water!People that condemn the industry do not know what the practitioners are up against, so its easy to just sit and criticise!I will advice like with everything in Nigeria, lets all do our part, invest in the industry, write good scripts with fantastic storylines and get someone to co-produce with us.Bishop T.D Jakes of Potters house in America, just co-produced a movie from a book he wrote and for me thats the way to go!
The lessons from Deolu’s post are profound and like i will always say, its not poverty that has made our university ladies Aristo babes but greed and wanting to belong-Its a complex thing!I have seen ladies that went through school without resulting to following Aristos and lecturers and they were also from poor homes and wore their clothes like uniforms everyday, but today, can afford all they need and want!Another point from Deolu’s analysis is the speaking of English issue, and its so sad, because students would rather invest in clothes and jewelries rather than in books,educative magazines and other materials that will increase their knowledge base, I have always been a reader and would rather invest in books that will build me up instead of things that will only add little or no value to me.Deolu, like you…i have a beef for teletubbies and you can never catch my children watching it!lol.Thanks again for helping readers take a new look at the Nigerian film industry with ‘Jennifa’, maybe i should hook you up with Funke for that interview,seeing you have increased her account with your post! lol!
http:/www.bridgetelesinspeaks.blogspot.com
@Biddy,
Hook me up oh… so we can have a more formal arrangement
But seriously I’m willing to interview either her or the producer, particularly if their lives represent these values.
Well done bro, its a very nice justice you just did to this social vice… I hope all the stakeholders, especially the parents make efforts to monitor what goes on in the life of their chidren.
And I think we Nigerians realy need to have a rethink about our Nollywood. Its not everything that comes out of their that we should overlook. I believe we have great stuffs coming from Nollywood too, so let’s learn to celebrate them. Abi for how long are we going to run after American fantacies?
Deolu i almost passed out when i saw the title! …but after reading through i think you did a good analysis of the movie…as in.. u know.. i mean welldone!
Oouushhh (lol!)
I decided about 5 years ago to stop watching Nollywood films unless it’s been talked about as really “worth it” by respected people. That was after been disappointed with the ones I watched up till then. You have done great justice to this one, I will definitely try and send for it to watch it too. Great review chairman. Thanks.
@ Bisola,
Up Chelsea, Shepe lomo
@Koyejo,
Maybe I suppose dey sell small small abi?
@All
With so much written I will go and buy one and so much unwritten I will buy that I can see here.. I should arrange for commission oh…lol
@Mr. Deolu….Yes ooo…The commission will do just fine for this marketing you have done
The issue here is not that people do not know this things happen,cos theres nothing new under the sun,but that people have to be constantly reminded about the laws of cause and effect,is short of appalling.we do not have glorify a medium for reminding us about this,personally i do not care what anyone does with their life,but no one should tell me that he or she does not know about reaping and sowing.
Quite a good one i must say. I don’t particularly watch home movies and a friend as been trying to convince me to watch this particular movie. Well,maybe i will give it some consideration after your great review!
Cheers!
Ladies and Gentlemen,it is really imperative that we enjoy the films but most importantly learn the lessons – What to do, What not to do. Choose virtues as against vices, choose good as against bad!!! There is so much going on out there and we must influence others positively.
I am currently mailing fom Offshore, PortHarcourt, but do not miss this blog because it is very educative and positively inspiring. To all our contributors, let your light so shine before all to see. Be a good example wherever you may be and avoid compromise towards negative consents.
We all have a reponsibilty to play – As individuals, the government at whatever level, parents/guardians, the NNC, leaders, followers, rich, poor, influential, uninfluential, whatever state/status. Once we can accept responsibilty as Deolu has said, then we can be great as individuals and as a Nation.
Have to stop here. May God bless you all.
Whao, a great piece for a great movie. I am yet to see the part 2 but I have learnt so much from this movie. The truth be told, the value system has depreciated so much that you dont need to get to the university to see some of the things we saw in Jenifer or the ones Deolu wrote about. I have seen secondary school students who carry mufti in their bags, on their way to school, branch off to do whatever with whomever, and even teachers are not left out, they are their patrons sometimes, with the promise of more marks and little cash to buy tops and jeans. The question is, mothers have got to rise to their responsibilities and stop pursuing what is not missing.
Ihave a case that bothers me all the time in my neighborhood, there is a family of 4, 3 boys and a girl who live together by themselves as papa and mama have decided to go abroad to look for the golden fleece that their forefathers left there. For over six years, these children have been living alone, without any guardian. The first three are in the university (So they told the neighbors o) and the youngest in secondary school. What they do I am sure you can imagine, its a big flat where you see and have all manners. Their parents send them money and even cars to sell, so they dont lack anything, but it goes beyond comfort. the truth is, even with a guardian, there is still that delinquent nature in any child, not talking of when there is none. What happens to children of people who only know their Aunties (househelp) as the parent figures in the home. Aunty needs help, does not know anything, pikin can not be better in this case.
I am looking at the decadence in our society not from the eye of the fact that Jenifer left home without money and had to squart, but the fact that, some do have everything and still follow aristoes and other anomalies.
The Aristoes are men in our society, politicians, industrialists and co, sometimes we even celebrate them. One thing is sure, the world is indeed rounding up and we need more of God for our homes to be what God has purposed it to be.
Uncle Deolu, Thanks so much for writing this post and happy new year.
God bless
Well, Deolu this is another great post, I have seen the film too. I like the story line, good and simple story, they equally showed us good portion of “females flesh” but i insist it was badly narrated when it come to professionalism. It is good for us to write good and story filled with morals but lets not forget that we need to write films in a way that will make the audience believe it afterall, film is portraying real life. Saying “SULIAT” later “JENIFA” who was a local champion, had a cell phone while going to school, wrote WAEC and JAMB before gaining admission, (all these before she joined the wrong gang in school), could not pronounce “DOCTOR” even till the end of part 2 after spending more than 1 session!!. laughable????? real????. My grandmother will do better if i teach her how to pronounce doctor in 2 weeks, JENIFA says “DOSTOR” for you to be a local champion, you must be a little smarter than your peers and you must be able to adapt, for the record, I did my primary and Junior secondary school in the village where we had just one secondary school with about 10 teachers, yet when i got to the city for m SS class i was able to catch up within a term, why? I was the most brilliant and local champion in my village. Come to think “SHAKI” and “AMOPE,(BECKY) who were always looking up to “SULIAT” in ayetoro suddenly became teachers who were lecturing her onhow to speak Lagos yoruba. “funny” then, the ritualists had the power to transform nice building they were having the party to a coven and still the girls had a chance of escaping from a gate made these guys look ike they were not the ones responsible for the transformation in the first place. finally, AYETORO is a town in OGUN STATE, if we had any other Ayetoro in the west, none is as popular as the one in Ogun state, and this JENIFA from this same AYETORO struggled to speak IBADAN or OYO dialect throughout the film is amazing. the story is nice, lesson learnt, but let them improve and learn how to do make good films, tell them to take a cue from the numerous Musical videos in Nigeria. they can do it, it will be better for all of us. If AIR FORCE ONE was shot that way i wouldn’t see it for a dime.
@christopher
I cannot but react to some of your comments, the point is that this post is all out to acknowledge and emphasize the lessons captured in the movie not really saying it is absolutely perfect in terms of professionalism, i have found out this is one of the reasons why a lot of us Nigerians hate or necglect watching home video, we complain too much, we always find fault or create one overlooking that sometimes there are a lot of things to learn from the movies. It’s something similar to the complains about the government and Nigeria, as if everything about Nigeria is bad..
If i’m given opportunity i can fault quite a number of foreign movies too but we tend to assume that they are right or trying to set a new style, we always understand many things they do.
Sulliya’s character displayed is very real and possible, one session is too small to tame someone’s tongue which is very local, passing WAEC (written english) has nothing to do with spoken english or pronunciation, we have a picture who her parents are and how they talk. Mostly in my days in school being brillant is not measured against how good or posh your english pronunciation are but mostly written english.
I think what is most important now is to lay emphasis on the lessons highlighted, encourage the brains that are working so hard to teach the society morals, spread the goodnews of not only watch movies to entertain yourself but to learn from it and act it out, many thanks.
i actually watched it too and you will not believe the audience the film got.Mostly corporate people will pose when talking about home videos, but not with Jeniffer… like you said anyway, its more important to note the lessons in this award winning and homevideo of the century…. Sulia kan, aiyetoro kan…. gbogbo bigs girls
@ Christopher,
Bone that your movie technical argument oh, the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians that watched the movie are tripped with it as it is. It’s a slightly exaggerated humorist view, and believe me it’s one of the best ways to communicate, to make people laugh at themselves before they discover it was about them.
Nollywood will be better I believe, if may of it’s critics just join them and take responsibility. I’m giving Nollywood a thought oh, seriously. I can act Professor, Pastor, Teacher, Cult Leader, Bigs Boys, Business man, e.t.c so far I don’t have to shave my head. Come to think of it… we acted back in those days… any witnesses??
Deolu, I understand everything perfectly, but i know you a bit and you are not the type of person who just wants everyone to nod in agreement with whatever he is saying, my kind of person likes to see things from a wider perspective, if possible not to agree with anybody for that mater just for the sake of it. i like to have my arguments and no one is under any obligation to agree with me. I studied film a bit, and i know what i am talking about, let the home video industry take a cue from the music industry, those people are nigerians as well and they are churning out musicals that have been winning awards everywhere. I dont have anything against the moral aspect of jenifa’s. but i believe they can do better, we had great films in the past. Orun mooru was one of them, check all Ade Love’s film , Ogunde’s and so many others at that time. recently we had Amazing grace with nice technical input. and in the category of this jenifa film, try and watch “Ti Oluwa Nile”. U will get my point. they will not improve if we do not point out their shortcomings and we keep applauding them expressly. We have movie critics in developed countries, their aim is not to run them down but to make them improve and that is exactly my point. I used to watch a programme on STV then, called GATEKEEPERS, the programme analysed, rated and criticized nigerian movies constructively but the cabal who will not allow professionals to come and prove their mettle killed the programme within 1 year. If we need a new Nigeria, it is not just our politics and governance we will talk about, it is a total package for a new nigeria. for the record one more time. I WATCHED “JENIFA 1 &2″, IT IS A GOOD STORY, BUT FUNKE THAT I KNOW COULD DO BETTER. ***YOU DO NOT HAVE TO AGREE WITH ME.
@Christopher,
I understand your views, and I have no serious issues with them. My only point of difference is that I am not doing a critic on the professionalism of the video, and by not doing that neither am I endorsing mediocrity. My current interest is helping the many viewers to go away with lessons. I have watched Ti Oluwa Nile, and I think you are comparing a Jim Carrey’s – Bruce Almighty with a Russel Crowe’s Gladiator. Sleep and death are similar, but the difference is enormous
The interesting thing however is that like all things in life, the best selling is usually not the best.
I like the idea that there are professionals like you in the industry that can help criticize the mediocrity and stay on it for the change to happen. Constructive feedback, is what I prefer to call it.
And yes, we need a total package for a New Nigeria.
Ok Deolu, I absolutely agree with you highlighting the lesson as well. we just seem to be looking at the proverbial elephant from different sides. you probably might be seeing the husk while am seeing the big four legs. but its a nice story with great lessons. Anyway, am looking forward to seeing you in one of the Home videos. it will be nice to see people stopping me on the road and ask me why did i play that role and I will gladly sign autograph or grant interviews on your behalf, cos people will mistake me for you. LOL!!! Take care man. hoping to see you this year after so long
Duo I haven’t seen the movie but from your analysis I grap the gist nice one sir ‘I can’t shout’ lol…….You’re too much baba!
I guess Mr. Deolu Akinyemi is our own version of Oprah
I can’t believe the rise in number of my ‘posh’ friends that went after a copy of Jenifa 1 & 2 after your reflective analysis of the Nigerian film. I hope the people that need to read and learn from this really do as most of them are either in the village still being excited when their daughters bring gifts home from Part 1 or are actively in the trade. But you hit the nail on the head with ‘…Ask your child where she or he got that phone you didn’t buy for them from’.
All in all, I am very impressed and I am glued to this site from now on. Well done.
I agree with Christopher. The film tramples on our sensibilities and we are busy laughing that we didn’t know that our intelligence is being subtly insulted. One thing we should note is that our institutions of higher learning are being used to make cheap money by movie makers. Why are girls always potrayed as prostitutes and the guys as cultists? Can we not find something good about our universities to talk about? Is that what going to school is all about? I have two degrees and I know the University is not all about having sex cheaply. They contribute to societal growth for God’s sake!
If our film makers have not been to the universities, they need not reinforce stereotypes by putting all undergraduates in one box – prostitution.
They should write scripts that typify what the University is all about – knowledge. For me, Jenifa has not said anything new. it is only relying on stereotypes and is lucky that it got a good actress to demonstrate that. Let us add value to our institutions by saying something good about them. If we make them look like a brothel, we will be surprised that no one will learn any lesson from these films. All these years of potraying girls as pros, has it stopped anything? Who learns what lessons? Who are those who teach these lessons? Don’t they have one or two skeletons too? Do they want to say they are saints when it comes to sex? We hear of exchanging sex for roles in Nollywood, how come there are no films showing this? Why should it be that lecturers come under hammer as exchanging sex for marks all the time? Let’s stop the hypocrisy! All we will have, at the end of the day, are young girls who want to go to the University to learn prostitution since it looks so interesting
I have only seen the part1 and I intend to watch it agian despite the fact that I am not a movie freak, be it Nigerian or American, I simply do not have the time.
I left Unilag over a decade ago, although things were a bit more sane then but I could still identify with many characters potrayed in the movie.
What has made it worse along the years is the fact that many guys/gals in the Univ. have no business being there.
In Warri, there is something they call ‘Fall in’ someone who abandoned school in SS1 years back, will suddendly want to ‘fall in’ so he/she gets someone to write WAEC&JAMB at ’special centers’. She probably wants to do that to move up her game since University girls tend to have access to high society men different from the petty petty ones she deals with in her community.
This person cannot pass any exams and she knows it so she does not even bother with studying.
The same thing with the guy, he probably becomes the lecturers’ agents and explore other avenues of making money and passing exams.
@ Bimbola,
Whew! This is a completely different tangential direction. I don’t even know where to start to show you what I think.
There is a lot that goes on in the universities, movies will usually sell if they are able to present a mixture of entertainment and a connection to reality. I like your passionate suggestion of ideas on what would be better rather than stereotypes, I’m sure you can share some concepts to make them appealing and interesting to watch by all and sundry.
I love the diverse views!The fact that God made us all different is for us to display our different sides as it would have been boring if we all spoke one language, he saw this in genesis 11 and in verse 6, scattered the people to go their seperate ways!lol.
Am truly passionate about Nollywood, so those of us like Christopher and Bimbola that believe in taking the industry to the next level should do something about it, you can start by getting involved in any way from having seminars for the practitioners, writing great scripts, providing equipments and finance to support a director that has a great story that would be worth seeing etc.Tyler Perry, a Producer,Director,Playwright,Screen writer and now a Studio owner in America started releasing his famous films as a result of his own personal experience and today, he is a success and has defined a new path for the blacks in the industry!I believe Deolu is doing his part with his analysis and from here, he will become a playwright,producer, director and will do those cameo appearances once in a while!lol. Jokes apart, its criticism and views like this that will help us talk less and do more!Kudos all!
http://www.bridgetelesinspeaks.blogspot.com
I’m glad we’re begining to see some good in our own thing. Maybe I should ask Deolu what prompted him to sit down with such a film, or he’s been watching them before?
I think there should be a way of showing the film on some campuses so that the message could go in better.
Cheers bros!
it took mii a while getting to the bottom of the comments list, but oga the i remember some of the stories. Well done Bro
WOW…See comments….Deoluakinyemi.com kan, Jenifa kan
Just dropping by to say a big congratulations to Funke Akindele for winning the Future Awards for her role in Jenifa et all..I couldn’t find a better place to send my congratulations message except on this no 1 blog/site…
I am happy you said parents should ask their daughters about that mobile phone set that they did not buy for her, but not happy that u did not dwell on it a thinny whinny bit more. I am male almost 40 years from a middle class background (grew up in apapa – maybin road/point road), I remeember twenty years ago my mum taking me to task over some clothes and shoes I had just bought and I am amazed that NOBODY bothers to question an 18 year old (male or female) with a fifty thousand naira phone. PARENTS SHOULD PLEASE LIVE UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES – NOT JUST PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHES AND SHELTER, BUT ALSO MORAL GUIDIANCE – NOT BY SAYING IT ONLY, BUT ALSO BY HOW THEY SAY IT AND DOING IT.
…..deolu,
guess u u av a witness in me!!!remember SCM(OAU) in those days…..u practically were an act to my pal(seun olatoye-ojo) and I…..the movie under review here has surely done a lot of good to the public awareness on gender enslavement (if i my classify it as such)cosd by our evolving race….it stands out of the lot and really want to wish jenifa(funke akindele) a fruitful career….maybe she could go OSCARS(i dont think kate winslet’s act in THE READER was better…)less i forget, deolu, u wont believe aw real that picture portrays actual events!!!!just d other day, a typical sulia walked ryt in2 my office!!!!………….i @ first tot it was an act, but alas!na so e be!!!
av a swell year ahead oga mi!
While rejoicing with Funke Akindele on the seeming success of JENIFA, i would also want to point out that most of the comments was based on the comical relief the movie presented. It was good that Deolu point out lessons to be learnt from the movie, albeit what obtains in our institutions. However, talking from a professional point of view, JENIFA was a whole load of rubbish. Disjointed storyline, occasioned by bad plots, directing was less than average and just as was pointed out earlier, the language spoken by Funke was not what is spoken in AYETORO, where the great COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL (COMPRO) is situated. What this simply means is that our script writers do not do enough research on their subject matter before churning out scripts. JENIFA also fail in bits and pieces of continuinty, especially with Sulia’s language. For the benefit of its lovers, the story was more than one semester. Go back to where Jenifa was rusticated for her continued ‘cheating’ during exams. So in all these time frame, she who obviously was eager to be ‘bigs’, would still speak her so called Ayetoro language. She missed it and that is a problem of poor directing. I have seen another movie directed by the same guy who directed JENIFA and such lapses also flawed that. While i wholeheartedly support the young ones to aspire and hold position of authority and power, I believe they should do so after having practised and learnt from knowledgeable elders. I admire Funke’s vision and ambition and believes she is on the way to excel, but that is only if she learn to collaborate with tested professionals. JENIFA, a good watch for its comedy and rich display of female anatomy but from a film critic point of view, JENIFA can only score average.
Whao!
Lessons well outlined. Oga Dee, see how many comments Jennifa generated.:) You could as well add movie blogging to your artillery. lol
God help us all! There truly great lessons in the movie.
“Everything you do in life has it’s reward. We usually never see the end of what we are doing, the beginning of it always looks glamorous, but the end is not so celebrated. Before you do something, ask yourself, what are the possible ends of these and who are the successful long term role models.” Deolu, I also saw the film, it is just the true painting of our society today from the campus perspective. There is a lot of work to do on the Home front. The family need to bring up their Children with the right value system. They stand the chance of surviving this den of a university system. Deolu, Thanks a Million.
I watch Nigerian film whether transmitted in English or Yoruba, though i am disgusted with the extreme copying of moral decadence of western culture of waywardness. Such as lying on a lady that is not your wife, profusely kissing every women on stage in the name of film making. Frankly speaking Nigeria is a falling nation.
However Jenifa film is wonderful, the issue dealt with are not really new to an average Nigerian. Nigerian are generally liars, seeking to live a false life, that is why bribery is a way of life to fund life he/she cannot afford. Nigeria go to church but does not belief in righteousness, he/she call on Jesus Christ’s but detest his.way. The ills highlited in Jenifa film is a common currency among corrupt ridden Nigeria society.
these issues you raised are just so correct that even the girls themselves will agree with it.
as a matter of fact, i was in school today and my lecturer analyzed the strategies used by our politicians to nail people with integrity and moral value. he told us how they use campus ladies to seduce these men so they could easily use that for blackmail and thereafter leave them with two options, whether to resign or be impeached. it all dovetails into the facts that these girls have allowed themselves to be used and dumped, thereby reducing and destroying their market value.
he made an anlysis of a road construction project where adjorning soils are excavated to fill a road course. by implication he was sayng that today, campus biz girls are presently been used by men wicked men old enough to be their father and grandfather to satisfy their immediate pleasures and whenn they even need to marry a wife they go to the village and bring a decent lady and make her their wife.
this is a lesson to biz girls (business girls)
i know of a hotel where campus biz girls drop their phone numbers for the hotel staffs so they could easily contact them incase a foolish man wants their service.
thanks soo much CHAIRMAN.
like somebody asked where is GATEKEEPERS ON STV today. men who do not appreciate class and stamndard have thrown it out of the screen. what a pity to NOLLYWOOD
i feel your opinions on the relationship btw jennifa and nigeria campuses. it’s one of the best Nigerian movies i ve watched. The government and parents should take these issues seriously. Our girls are turning to prostitutes on campus and nobody is batting an eyelid.
Deolu, You got it all. It’s quite unimaginable, what goes on, on ‘campushes wa’ these days. Gone were the days of morality. The decadence has proven too much. You ever wonder why higher schools are introducing dresscodes? Despite this, immoral dresses have really ’skyrocketed’. You might need to expatiate on lecturers as well. Some of our ladies are being threatened by lecturers and our society does not really give a damn about what happens to these victims. Maybe when a couple of lecturers are jailed or ‘punished’ for what they do, then there might be a lil’ difference. On the matter of Aristos, I honestly do not have anything to say. Choosing to go after an Aristo is a matter of choice. Take one of our Nigerian actress for an instance, for sure, whether confirmed or unconfirmed rumor, she is still suffering the pains. Do not ask me what I mean.