JAMMEH WASTED OVER #300,000 POUNDS ON A NOLLYWOOD MOVIE!

THE STATE HOUSE/FATIMA JABBIE SCANDAL UNVEILED

JAMMEH SELLING GAMBIA

By Pa Nderry M’Bai

When President Yahya Jammeh announced in May of 2009 that he (Jammeh) “is a big fan of Nigerian movies,” little did Gambians know that the head of state had secretly reached a multimillion dalasi movie deal with a  Lagos based film company called Nollywood. Nollywood Executive film producers were introduced to Jammeh—thanks to Fatima Jabbie, a Gambian resident in England, who is believed to be “highly connected” to The Gambian dictator. Reports in the grapevine even suggest that Jammeh could not hide his love for the lady, as he unequivocally warned against any kissing to be extended to Ms. Jabbie, who was featured in the movie as one of the actresses.

As the producers of the film are working very hard to fine tune the “finishing touches”  of the highly anticipated  movie titled “The Mirror Boy's heritage, it has been gathered that the film which was earlier earmarked for the people of Nigeria had to be changed from Nigerian to Gambian, sources familiar with the deal told the Freedom Newspaper. The change of venue for the movie shooting was largely because of lack of funds. The Cross Rivers State Government, the original party that expressed interest in the movie could not foot the bills, sources said  

“Unfortunately, the Cross Rivers State Government was not able to provide the Nollywood film company with competitive rates or enough logistical support to shoot film in Nigeria. It was a classical case of no money,” said a highly placed source.

Having been tipped about the Nollywood proposed film, miraculously, and from nowhere, the Gambian Government stepped in. They were just too happy to have Nollywood come shoot in their country on the sole condition that the company capture their amazing landscapes and culture in the film, said our source.

According to sources “This trailer has been hurriedly put together to meet a deadline for a state function in Gambia, and which the President was to be shown, so don’t  even judge yet. Some of the footage of the country is breathtaking, as y'all know Gambia is an amazingly beautiful country.”

The Nollywood film is expected to be launched in The Gambia soon. President Jammeh is expected to grace the launching ceremony, sources said. Here is the link to the sample of the movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku3aCR6ugNA&feature=player_embedded   

In the face of economic meltdown, and massive unemployment befalling the impoverished country, Jammeh is engaged in misplaced priorities. The country’s life expectancy rate is declining dramatically—thanks to poor health delivery system.

Taiwan, recently extended a huge amount of money to help boost Gambia’s health sector, but donor funds often lands in the hands of corrupt officials. Corruption is endemic in Jammeh’s Government. Government projects are never advertized. They are awarded to parties who are willing to bribe officials in Government.

The deal is that there is a Gambian girl called Fatima Jabbie in the movie, said our sources. She is apparently a love interest of  President Jammeh.  Ms. Jabbie persuaded the head of state shoot the movie.  The Gambian Government  financed the movie project—totaling close to the tune of #300,000 (Three hundred thousand pounds sterling. The said figure could be grossly underreported as work on the movie is underway.

"I wouldn’t like to speculate just yet because it’s a work in progress. Plus the Gambian Government offset much of the costs including flight tickets, hotel accommodation  etc. OHTV are the Executive Producers and they are keeping figures highly secret. But I would speculate that a cinema-worthy Nollywood film would cost anything between $200k to $300k,” said a source familiar with the film deal.

In its May 27^th 2009 edition, the Daily Observer quoted President Jammeh of having said that “"Nigerians love the African culture and that is why I like your movies especially the ones that you act in the villages with the 'Igwes'," President Jammeh told his visitors. "As long as you are an African, I am proud of you. Let us patronise our African movies and have our own awards and standards. If we understand one another's culture, then there will be less conflict and that is why I initiated the Kanilai International Cultural Festival", Professor Jammeh stated. "Africans should believe in their rich culture and we have to get family values. If we don't follow our culture we will be lost", the Gambian leader observed. He informed the Nollywood stars that they have a crucial role to play as movie industries are excelling in the world market."Africans have to work together to regain our lost glory. But if we continue to look up to the West, we will not get what we want. Source:  http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/i-have-great-respect-for-nigeria-president-tells-nollywood-stars  

Fatima Jabbie played an instrumental role in ensuring that Nollywood was awarded the film contract, sources said. She is one of the actresses in the trailer. “She's expected to become his  wife sometime soon, and has direct access to the President's ear. That’s how she persuaded him to give Nollywood  his backing. His other 'condition' was that no-one was allowed to kiss or hug her in the movie,” said a source reaching this paper.   

Efforts to reach the Nollywood film company for their side of the story proved futile. This paper would continue to reach out to them in the interest of balanced and objective reporting.  A  dependable source in Jammeh’s  Government said  Nollywood was hired to shoot the movie.