At 47 years of age, Prince Tonye Princewill has done many things that many of his age mates dread to attempt. From running successfully,Riverdrill, his oil and gas conglomerate employing hundreds of Nigerians and other business interests to being the youngest gubernatorial candidate in Rivers state elections of 2007 as candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria. He was also Labour Party Governorship candidate in 2015.

By Fred Iwenora

Recently, at the Toronto International film festival, Tonye and crew stood out as the movie 76 which he proudly produced was singled out for honors. He speaks on his unwavering interest in leadership of Rivers state among other issues.

You must be feeling happy about the recent exploits of the film 76 at the recent Toronto International Film festival. Why did you venture into culture and entertainment as diversionary or complementary to your political interests?

Tonye Princewill

Both my political and individual interests are complementary but I notice many people often wonder how come Princewill is making films. A closer inspection will reveal why. First, the films have powerful messages and all the messages are aimed at the next generation of youths. This is my fourth film and even though 76 is making the most impact, the others will soon be making their impact very soon.

That is the story of my politics too. I want to show the next generation that they do not have to wait for things to happen. Given a sincere passion and a driving determination, anything is possible. 76 is going to Toronto and London Film festivals back to back, the first for a Nollywood film made in Nigeria by Nigerians for the international community. As we are proud to export our entertainment, one day we will be proud to export our politics. It’s all about sending a positive message of Nigeria. 

What did you specifically learn from Toronto as regards the art and technology in film making and its distribution?

Toronto was a confirmation of what I suspected all along. There is a hunger for the Nigerian experience. If well packaged, Nigerian films can make money. Even before we arrived Toronto we had already secured 300% on our investment. The movie had not even be released yet. Is that not good business? I brought my business acumen, my political contacts and an ability to identify a good team to create a winning formula that makes this business more profitable than oil. My first degree was in Petroleum Engineering, my second degree was in Mineral resources Engineering, I made my money from Information technology and project management but here I am now investing in film. Toronto has shown my team and I that film is a universal language and given a chance, Nigerians can influence the world and create their own story.

Your interest in the murky and volatile climate of entertainment must be long time because I recall your involvement in Delyork.   No one invests in culture without strong passion…

That is correct. I have invested in films all along from scholarships to internships and also to skills acquisition. I try to give back in a guided way. Free food is not always good so I match effort with reward. Many of my scholars have gone on to transform their places of work. I was pleased to see one of my scholars also in Toronto acting in one of the best documentaries we have made, Green white Green. I don’t want anything back from them except that they remember they are Nigerians and that Nigeria is full of good people. Find them and help them. If we had more Tonye Princewills down their bit, the difference would be visible in no time. I believe they are there, out there, even better than me.

Did part of your growing up prepare you for the latest moves you are making in entertainment?

I believe it did. I was an all rounder in both arts and science. My father too. He made me read the entire works of Shakespeare aged 10 and my love for film was total. In the university, we lived on campus at Uniport and so The Crab which was the home of Theatre Arts was a hangout for me from an early age when school was not in session. The Ola Rotimi house was my second home and so I was exposed to the theatre and its allure before the world of business took control in my life. That is why it may surprise others but I can explain my passion, my love and my dedication to film making and I know that this is only the beginning now that we have seen the money one can make from film.

Nigerians have come to respect Izuu Ojukwu for his creativity..How did you meet him?

A mutual friend who is the co-executive producer on 76, Adonai Owiriwa brought him to my attention after I decided to get involved in my first project. It was a movie that highlighted the plight of orphanages in the country and the role of individuals and government in making miracles happen. For the first time I met someone who was more interested in his art than in money and who let his work do the talking. Found out later that we both grew up in Jos and were both driven by the same passion for excellence. I call him the Spielberg of Nigerian film and as far as good guys go, Izu is up there with the best. This is our second project together and in each we have tackled issues that will make the next generation think. Nnenda was about orphanages, 76 is about women and things people miss when they read only the headlines. Izu made all the difference. He also doubled as producer too.

On the film 76…you must have been touched by the story…?

Yes I was. Deeply. Watched it the first five times and cried every single time even though I knew what was going to happen. After a while I suspected it was the money we spent that made me cry because since we signed our deal in Toronto, I have watched it three times and it hasn’t been so bad. Having said,    that the original version has been modified for festival audiences and made less dramatic. Oyibo people do not like too much drama. We are yet to decide which version we will show Nigerians on November the 25th. Either way I believe they too will be touched no matter which version they watch.

I hear you have more films in the pipeline

Yes. The next movie is about Boko Haram and we will go to Sambissa. We are also doing a documentary as we speak which is bound to open doors Nigeria has kept closed for over 40 years. But in everything we do, we do it with wisdom and care. The unity of Nigeria is paramount. I see our differences as worthy of celebration and not a cause for conflict. Fear should not rule us, love needs to start winning. I am glad to be in the midst of an industry that can make and is making a difference.

You will always say you are new….what do you see as problems of African especially Nigerian films making it at world stage?

Haha!! But I am new. So what do I know? My little experience tells me that there is a time for everything. Nigerian film aka Nollywood has done what it did with little or no organised pro-active support from government or the private sector. Charity begins at home. Before you present your best outside, things need to be put in order inside. My immediate assessment is we are not yet serious about the things we need to be serious about. Four industries in spite of the challenges of Nigeria have demonstrated that they can produce world beaters. Religion, banking , music and film. The last two are often grouped together as entertainment.

How do you think that these problems will be solved?

When the government and the private sector step up to the plate. There have been many attempts at it but they keep falling short. What is needed is not rocket science. It is simple demand and supply. Everything else is finer detail. If you don’t know where you are going, how can you get there? We need to set targets, agree on what we define as collective success and work towards it. My brief entry into the film industry tells me the potential here is huge. Film is the new oil.

Can they even ever be solved?

Yes. They can. And they will. If not this government, then the next. The recent initiative that Tony Elumelu and the Federal Government signed to partner with the film industry is a sign that this government recognizes things are happening. One must be optimistic. Nothing employs like film. One day somebody important will get it.

One wonders what becomes of your political career now you have entered Nollywood with utmost vigor?

My political career is intact. Good people are becoming more and more critical to move Nigeria forward. When Nigerians realise we cannot continue like this, they will look for people like us or younger versions to exhibit excellence and toughness combined. I do not have to be the one running for office, but either way I will be involved.

Do you still dream of ruling Rivers state?

The dream was never to rule, it was to lead. And lead by example. I do that every day in whatever capacity I find myself. It is not easy to engage with all kinds of politicians and come out clean. I believe I have done that. It is not easy to come from nowhere and make a name in state and national politics, I believe I have done that. It is not easy to join the Nollywood family and make an impact, I believe we have done that and it is not easy to develop the business contacts we did without politics, yet again we have also done that. If politics has not allowed me show my capacity today, one day it will in whatever capacity. Maybe I am bigger than just Rivers state or politics. Maybe my dream is to be a statesman. The country is short of them.

How strong is this dream?

I do not sleep for too long, so I think I dream in episodes. And so far, so good. My dreams are going well. Fortunately I am not prepared to kill, maim or sacrifice human life to achieve my political goals. So my ambition and my dreams are measured by the price I am prepared to pay for them. The dark actors in Rivers state know that if I decide to go down the path of violence, neither of them would rest easy. They know I am not the one who would be afraid. But like the story of the two women and King Solomon, I am not prepared to kill my people in order to lead them. There has to be a line.

How do you assess Rivers state as well as the south south in terms of growth and development?

Not yet time to comment but I expected more. Then again that is compared to what I know is possible. The leaders in power now are doing their best. A
mango can not produce oranges. My job is to pray for our leaders and hope that good can still come from them to the many and not the few. Wike does not take constructive criticism very well, you are either with him or against him, no in betweens. So I have stopped the need to constantly give advice. Very soon I will break down the story so far with a detailed analysis of what he got right and what he got wrong. Till then, constantly talking is not a habit. I am not a fan of my own voice.

Do you think that the youths are clicking into the message of self development like you have always preached?

Yes they are. Faster than I expected. The movement is alive. We can not continue to take them for granted. That to me is the definition of success in our political sphere. Seeds have been sown.

Good question. Let me answer it this way. We have moved forward but we have left too many people behind. That is why celebrating it is not second nature for Nigerians. The grass is always greener on the other side so we are bound to have many who complain for the sake of it. But there are too many genuine patriots who expected far better from us this far into our independence and they are not unreasonable. Our leaders have let us down. History and God will not be too kind to us. Your only redemption is to show your track record. Corruption needs to be addressed head on but we must be able to talk and walk at the same time. Fiscal discipline, creating the environment for growth, security in the Niger Delta especially and the promotion of a positive identity are crucial if we want to crack the No 1 problem in Nigeria – JOBS.

Nigeria is agog with the arrests of judges especially as it happened in Port Harcourt..any comments?

As for the affair with judges and my view on it, why does everyone feel the need to comment? By default, I am inclined to look before I speak. I shudder at people who rise aggressively to defend the judges or the DSS and ask myself two questions.

What if either side is wrong and how well do I know the law? If it turns out the government over reached it self, nobody is better equipped to get justice than judges. If however the federal government is right that they have a case and have exposed the mother of all corruptions, let us thank our God and see where the story will end. Talk about the time of arrest, whether they can arrest, warrants and rights can leave the best lawyers arguing for and against forever. Me and the people I care about have school fees issues, exchange rate issues and health problems to address.

Let the judges and the government sort themselves out. What is clear though is that stealing will no longer be like it was before and that is a good thing.