According to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-olu, Lagos is the “Bastion of Entertainment” within which the best form of creativity is spread into the world. Mr. Governor made this assertion at the Lagos premiere of the film on the biopic of President Bola Tinubu titled, “Last Man Standing,” at the Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos. The film entails a biographical account of the flow of events during the tenure of Tinubu as the Governor of Lagos State for eight years.
Represented by a Public Relations professional and Managing Director of Chain Reactions Nigeria, Jaiye Opayemi, the governor asked that support is rendered from all levels to encourage the creative industry to keep working to produce their best. In the biopic film, Last Man Standing, Lateef Adedimeji — who played Ayinla Omowura in the biographic movie, “Ayinla” —played the role of President Bola Tinubu. Sanwo-olu assured that Lagos State will provide the creative industry with all it needs because they are capable of employing more citizens than the oil and gas sector.
Documentation of history is a necessity in Nigeria.
Applauding the feats of the creative industry in the State, the governor stated that Lagos is the entertainment capital of Africa. He also commended the producers, cast and crew who came together to bring the biopic into life to honor and celebrate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Executive Producer of the film, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, stated that the best way he could celebrate Tinubu was through his contribution to Nigerian history; an act that can be achieved through documentation.
In his remarks, Mr. Fagade stated that documentations of historical happenings and events was a major challenge in the country. He added that if the forefathers of Nigeria had documented some of the country’s history, things might be different today. He stated that he was privileged to be in existence during the regime of Tinubu as Lagos State’s governor, and he vividly remembers how Lagos was in the 80s and 90s, including how the Island is now the preferred choice of Nigerians today.
Casting the film was difficult due to the then upcoming general election.
Also, the movie premiere hosted dignitaries in the country including the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Ojora Meranda; CEO of Corporate Pictures, Abdullahi Abdulrasaq; and former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State Command, AIG Hakeem Odumosu. Lateef Adedimeji was also present with his actress-wife, Bimpe Oyebade Adedimeji, and Shushu Abubakar, who acted Remind Tinubu. Also present at the premiere was the Director of the film, Tunde Olaoye; Kofoworola Abiola Atanda, Madam Kofo, who acted Iyaloja Abibatu Mogaji; Foluke Daramola and Segun Arinze.
Producer of the Last Man Standing, Seun Oloketuyi, said that it was an arduous task to bring together the cast and crew because the cast was done few months to the general election, 2023. It was also very difficult to get someone to act as Asiwaju, owing to the fact that social media was volatile in regards to politics during the time. At that period, the social media was intense with diverse kinds of abuses, but the producer expressed his appreciation to everyone who dedicated time to be part of the Tinubu biopic.
“Last Man Standing” portrays the dynamism of the Nigerian President.
Oloketuyi, speaking on the essence of the biopic, said that affirmed that the film is a portrayal of the dynamism, grit and tenacity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During his eight years tenure, the producer asserted that Tinubu was able to withstand the Federal Government over issues of creating more local governments to introduce a closer government to the people at the grassroot level’. Oloketuyi added that the biographic film reflects the display of the brilliance of the Nigerian President who strived to become a political enigma.
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