My day, Friday 17th October, which started with the schoolboy who excitedly ran towards me to greet me culminated in the private viewing of a film project which began in 2022. The MZIGO film project which is focused on sickle cell advocacy is reaching out to the approximately 92% global population that doesn’t live with sickle cell. It is produced by the exceptional Nollywood star and former Mr. Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikubese.
The MZIGO (Swahili word for burden) film is arguably the first Pan-African film project that spotlights the sickle cell disorder, a genetic condition which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. It draws actors and artistes from Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya to produce the exceptional quality movie which has shown in many film festivals including the Abuja international film festival, Zuma international film festival, Zanzibar international film festival, African cultural film festival, International media arts film awards, and Inside Nollywood international film festival and awards.
The sickle cell champion, Ikubese who himself doesn’t live with the condition has taken up the United Nations-recognized ‘foremost public health problem’, sickle cell, to raise its public consciousness and awareness as well as policy advocacy using the power of media, arts, and entertainment.
Little things, big things, they count the same for me – it’s for thanksgiving to Divinity and impact living to humanity, and I don’t take any for granted. Seeing the MZIGO film yesterday brought joy and gladness to my heart as it greatly accentuates the family dynamics which sickle cell can bring to the fore. Yet, the MZIGO film minus sickle cell still makes for an artistic masterpiece with several talking points and of course, with entertainment depth.
God bless Emmanuel Ikubese for this thorough, thought-provoking work of art. I am so happy to see this dream come to reality. Emmanuel had earlier shared this big dream with me on the trail as we did the 10km-long Lagos City Marathon together in 2023. Our marathon that year raised over NGN 4 million to place low-income, high-risk sickle cell warriors on comprehensive health insurance policy.
May the MZIGO film project bag awards, win grants, enter rooms, and do mighty things globally. I salute the great man, Emmanuel Ikubese. Thank you boss.
#YeahMomentsWithYO!