In Memoriam: Amaka Igwe, Nollywood's Finest

Nollywood mourns the death of Amaka Igwe, one of its pioneer movie makers. The celebrated film director, screenwriter, and producer, died on Tuesday, 29 April, at the age of 51, following complications from an asthma attack.

We will remember the doyen of Nigerian screen industry as a visionary and pioneer of modern Nigerian TV drama and film, particularly for her award-winning classic TV soap, Checkmate and its spinoff Fuji House of Commotion as well as for her critically-acclaimed Nollywood blockbusters, Rattle Snake 1 & 2 and Violated. 

The accomplished entrepreneur who died doing what she loved most (she reportedly died on the set of a movie in Enugu, southeast Nigeria) founded the Amaka Igwe Studios, BoB TV Expo, and was the chief executive officer of  Top Radio 90.9 FM and the recently-launched Q Entertainment Networks.

Nicknamed GOC (General Officer Commanding) as a kid by her father, because of her leadership qualities, Amaka Igwe started making money as an A-Level student at Idia College, Benin City, organizing house variety shows. She later studied education and religious studies at the then University of Ife and got her Masters in library and information services from the University of Ibadan.

Following her national youth service in the 1980s, Amaka Igwe pursued her interest in television at the then Anambra State Broadcasting Service, Enugu (home to Basi & Company and New Masquerade). It was there that she got the inspiration for Checkmate after watching the popular soap, Mirror in the Sun.