Qadiri
By IFECHI OKOH
Today, we are showcasing the concluding part of the Nollywood mafias which we started last week. On parade this week, are the rest of the caucus leaders, starting from Odun Adekola, Baba Latin, Femi Adebayo, Saudi Balogun to Yinka Quadiri. All of them are crack actors and few of them are also award winners. These two qualities and the fact that their roles could be taken just once during shootings, made them hot cakes for directors who enjoy working with them too. This, no doubt fetches them lots of respect from marketers, producers and even senior colleagues who encourage them to be in their productions. Their standing and authorities have since made them Caucus leaders and mafias too. Welcome!
ODUN ADEKOLA
This gifted and celebrated actor with many of awards, who is now a director and producer, was undoubtedly grounded in acting, before graduating to production and directing. As a result of his highly acting skill, many see him as a toast in the Yoruba movie circle, especially marketers and others with such obvious powers and influence in movie making. This position may have encouraged him to start The School of Dramatic Arts in Abeokuta. Today, his grip on the industry has since made him a mafia of a prominent caucus of which his graduands know and have also been enjoying it.
BABA LATIN
This veteran who has been an officer of ANTP over the years, holding various positions, is well known and respected by practitioners and marketers. Hence, he features in many of the productions and is also well paid as a mafia head or caucus leader. His high standing in the scheme of things has since made him a voice heard and embraced at all times. No wonder colleagues, contemporaries and marketers have been featuring him ceaselessly in their productions. His exalted standing makes it easy for him to fix any member of his caucus into a production the person wishes to be.
FEMI ADEBAYO (JELLILI)
This lawyer’s son-turned actor of Oga Bello has been seriously fingered as a mafia or caucus leader. Feelers who made this exclusive available to Showbiz Xtra gave his natural acting prowess as the first reason, followed by his many awards which the marketers, directors and producers respect and, as a result, makes it pretty easy for him to pave way for members of his caucus. This clause, according to knowledgeable feelers have ensured their continued allegiance to him till date.
SAIDI BALOGUN
This fine-boy actor, celebrated and controversial as well,cannot be ignored by stakeholders as a crack actor and even a camera man. His proficiency has actually placed him in a position of respect among directors, producers and seniors whom he uses at will to better members of the caucus he leads. The members, too, have been very grateful to him over this and as such, can't avoid not to show their allegiance every time they see him.
ODUNFA GROUP
This is a pretty powerful caucus which has Yinka Quadiri, Ogogo and Abbey Lanre found years back. In one of Quadiri’s interviews, he described the caucus as the most powerful. He confessed that it took his belief, humility and love to nurture it to where it is today. He recalled that some girls whom he maintained were used by Satan to almost scatter the group but they did not succeed because of God's intervention and sustenance. Quadiri is very proud that it produced Jide Kosoko, Funke Akindele and other celebrated actors and actresses.
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