LAGOS ANCEDRAM CHAIRMAN COMMEND MEMBERS.

By Oluwafemi Dosu

The Lagos state chairman of All Nigeria Conference of Evangelical Drama Ministers (ANCEDRAM), Evangelist Isaac Afolahan has commend members of the association saying Lagos ANCEDRAM is full of visionary people and its  activeness begins with the activeness of individual ministry. The chairman while speaking at Ajah yesterday in an exclusive interview with  Ayanfeoluwa and Segun Balogun of Lagos ANCEDRAM publicity Team during the ongoing congress of the association also disclosed why Mike Bamiloye was present at the state congress and his intention either to run for a second term or not, Excerpt:

Interviewer: Can we meet you sir?

My name is Afolahan Yemi Isaac, the Chairman ANCEDRAM Lagos state

Interviewer: Do you have a ministry?

Isaac Yemi Afolahan

 Yes, I have a ministry and the name of my ministry is Christ Gospel Drama ministry, popularly known as CIGEDRAM

Interviewer: What position do you hold in the ministry sir?

I am the president of the ministry

Interviewer: How many films have you produced, featured or probably directed?

The ministry has produced four movies namely “Ileso Agbara, “Indisputable image”, “Ipinle mi” and “softy forces”. As per how many movies I have featured; countless, how many movies have I directed; countless.

Interviewer: What is your area of specialization in film production?

Directing, Cinematography, Editing and acting.

Interviewer: Despite the challenges all around, what keeps you moving?

The grace of God and the calling. No matter the challenge, no matter the bottle neck, the instruction and vision of your calling will keep you moving.

Interviewer: Speaking of ANCEDRAM, Have you been able to achieve you vision for this tenure?

Along the way, new visions kept coming. From 2016 that we came on board, everything we stated in our vision bulletin has been successfully achieved by the grace of God, at least 98 percent.

Interviewer: As the chairman of Lagos state ANCEDRAM, what are the challenges you encounter?

Every office has its challenges but my own believe is that all challenges are surmountable. It is not easy to manage even a nuclear family talk less of an association. This is an association and not a denomination, it is a combination of people from different background and different denomination and we have to unify all our church doctrine to become one; that is a challenge on its own. Also, Because it is an association, everybody has a voice, what you think is good some will say no it isn’t, for example, if you call for a program and you say it is a bible study program, some will say why must it be bible study, we do bible study in our churches all the time. If you say it is a prayer program, some will say; good, we love prayer while some will say why must it be prayer all the time so it is a challenge to satisfy everybody. Also, our members have not been committed financially, I can say only 10-20% are financially committed in the association and this makes the financial burden a challenge and the executive and the elders often shoulders the responsibility.

Interviewer: How has it been possible to bring our daddy Mike Bamiloye to the state programs recently?

Relationship! As leaders, you must build a relationship with your high authorities. When they have programs, you also be there. Also, follow God’s instruction. When I received the theme of the program contend for the faith, I saw it in a vision seeing daddy Mike teaching it. So I called daddy Mike that we would be bringing him to the state. Actually he said he won’t be chanced and I felt somehow bad. Up to the time we printed the flyer he was still not chanced but just for people to be encouraged we put his picture on the flyer. Two weeks after the flyer came out, he called me and said he was considering coming for the program, it appeared God ministered to him to come for the program. In fact, as at that the time we already draw the outline of the program but we had to redraw it. In all our decision, make sure there is a spiritual back up and God will do it himself.

Interviewer: How has it been able to control and organize your team of executives?

My team is matured people and vision oriented. Except one or two cases, we never had misunderstanding. It has never been difficult organizing them. It will be difficult to correct people when you have divergent of views and people who are not vision oriented and not matured enough in handling issues.

Interviewer: How do you balance between your home and ANCEDRAM despite your busy schedules?

When I began to receive the instruction to come up as the chairman, I sat my wife down to discuss it. I allowed her to pray so that she also can confirm and then she gave her consent that for the period of time I will be there the home is safe so she has been keeping the home. Whenever I get home we keep on doing it together. She is an understanding woman.

Interviewer: Do you think she will allow you go for a second tenure?

If God says I will run for a second tenure, He will minister to me and also minister to my wife. Both of us are spiritual, once God says it we don’t dispute it so that is not a problem, it is not even dicey at all.

Interviewer: Left to you, are you willing to run for second tenure?

I am not the type that hold tight to office, I am a vision man and once I realize a vision I believe that it has been achieved. For me this tenure, I believe I have been able to achieve something good but if God wills, who am I to say no but for me I think I am done.

Interviewer: Are you really satisfied with this year’s state congress?

Sure, I am satisfied, though every state congress has its own itches, like in the area of accommodation and the venue because there are little interruptions that we did not really plan for between our programs by the church but there is nothing we can do because ANCEDRAM does not have its own retreat center that we can say we have One hundred percent control over. So if a church allows you use their facilities you should appreciate that but we know that in the subsequent meetings things will be better. The congress is a success as long as I am concerned, our expectations have been met. I want to appreciate the publicity and the media team. Previously, the attendance has being between 250 0r 300 but because of the effort of the publicity like the social media program, the live interviews and others, we have over 300 participants. No one is left behind because the media team is transmitting the program live on facebook for those who are not here to follow up. Keep up the good work.

Interviewer: Daddy Mike Bamiloye said yesterday that Lagos state ANCEDRAM is one of the most active states, what is the secret behind that?

Lagos is full of visionary and talented people therefore there is no way you won’t be active. You can see it from the pantomime ministrations and other ministrations. The activeness of Lagos state chapter begins with the activeness of individual ministries. When these ministries are active, there is no way it will not rob on the entire chapter of ANCEDRAM in Lagos state. Moreover, we have elders in Lagos state that when they finish they do not run away and that is a motivation that keeps us moving.

Interviewer: What are the relationship between Lagos state ANCEDRAM and the state elders?

There is a cordial relationship, before now, some people believe our elders were our problems. I carry them along and they have been very supportive. In this congress, some of the elders contributed ten thousand to support. Some of them have been around since we started and they will close with us, it shows that we have a cordial relationship.

Interviewer: Any word of advice to the local unit that might take it up next year?

The local unit that might take it up next year should learn the lessons from this one. They should get us a venue without interference; they should start their planning early enough.

Interviewer: What other advice can you give other visionaries?

Everybody that has something in mind that you can contribute to the growth of Christian evangelism, come out! Come out into the position of leadership. My philosophy is that what we are doing in ANCEDRAM is what we are doing in our ministries; ANCEDRAM is just a bigger platform for people to operate. There are programs we do in our ministries so when we get to leadership positions in ANCEDRAM, we start it.

PARTICIPANTS AT LAGOS ANCEDRAM CONGRESS SHOOTS, EDITS THREE FILMS ON SMARTPHONE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TRAINING.

  By Oluwafemi Dosu and Segun Balogun

It was a huge success and a step higher as participants at the Lagos state ANCEDRAM congress shot and edited three major films with Smartphone.

This was done after training on Smartphone film making facilitated by Evangelist Paul-Esupofo Oriade and assisted by Brother Olufemi Abraham. The participants were divided into three groups and were saddled with the responsibility to come up with story, shoot and edit it on phone.

Meanwhile, the training class was conducted on the same day and the students were able to do more than the expectation. The title of the films are AN INCH, NEMISIS and SPEECHLESS.

According to the director/co-editor, Evangelist Muyiwa Adeyeye while speaking on the challenges faced during the shoot noted that most of the people in the group are not experienced, also noise was a big challenge and that was why they have to shoot without audio.

Oriade who was the facilitator during his speech said “we are so excited that we have a dream and it became a reality, people who have never shot and edited were able to do so.”

For his own part, the co-facilitator, Evangelist Olufemi Abraham expressed his mind saying “the people are very hungry; it’s a thing to have food on the table and it’s another thing to be hungry for the food. The participants are hungry, willing, cooperative and understanding. It’s one of the best training so far, one of the most successful set of people we have trained, we feel fulfilled at the end.”

It may interest you to know that the films were premiered today and it was marvelous. Evangelist Oriade was elated that it as success at the end after lecturing the students and he also promised to post the best practical project on his website.

PAUL-ESUPOFO ORIADE CALLS FOR SMARTPHONE FILM MAKING AMONG DRAMA MINISTERS.

By Oluwafemi Dosu

The Chancellor of Sword of Excellence Drama University, Evangelist Paul-Esupofo Oriade is calling on drama ministers nationwide to embrace the use of Smartphone to shoot movie because it will ease the burden and hatred. Paul-Esupofo who was speaking during an exclusive interview with Ayanfeoluwa Oladapo, Segun Balogun and Oluwafemi Dosu (members of Lagos ANCEDRAM Publicity Team) at the state congress of All Nigeria Conference of Evangelical Drama Ministers, ANCEDRAM Lagos state chapter  at Ajah today. He also challenged Lagos ANCEDRAM leaders to do more of the good works they are doing, bombard the internet with the correct message, the right message, and biblical message not religious message, also not to preach religion to people saying they should allow people have their own relationship with Jesus, Excerpt:   

Press: Good afternoon sir

Paul-Esupofo: Good afternoon

Press: Can we meet you sir?

Paul-Esupofo: My name is Paul-Esupofo Oriade. I’m the lead instructor of Special Drama Film School Online and the Chancellor of Sword of Excellence Drama-Film University, not yet accredited Chairman Board f Trustee of Sword of Excellence Dunamis Ministry INC. (SEDMI) and a child of God, most importantly.

Press:  Smartphone filmmaking and this era, what’s the benefit?

Paul-Esupofo: I want to believe that having gone through the class that I have given this morning, you will see the essence of Smartphone filmmaking. It is another dimension and alternative to other big cameras and this has not made it lesser in output. It’s just like you are watching cartoon. If you look at cartoon very well you will see the rudiment of film making as long as whatever device you are using in filmmaking is correct and you follow the techniques or rules in film making you are good. So Smartphone filmmaking has come to stay even the professionals have been using it.

Press: What advantage does editing on Smartphone has over editing on system?

Paul-Esupofo Oriade at the Lagos ANCEDRAM congress, Ajah 2018.

Paul-Esupofo: Oh! Beautiful, Wow! we call it ‘on the go’. You tell a story on the go, edit on the go, you are not limited by time, space and locations, and you are not limited by anything, you can even edit on the plane without restrictions unlike using laptops. You will only need the use of power banks such that last for 6hours or I have even seen some that last for 24hours.We travelled one day from Kano; from Kano to Ibadan we finished editing a whole work. The only disadvantage is that your phone can be hot or limited storage; sometimes your fingers might be paining you. Those are the common things apart from the fact that it is a device whether you say desktop, laptop, Smartphone, it’s a device to use so that is just it.

Press: Does shooting on Smartphone reduce expenses in filmmaking?

Paul-Esupofo: yes, it does because it is economical and relatively expensive. It is economical because anybody can shoot on the go. You can shoot one-minute film and upload it right now on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and people will be blessed instead of waiting and spending hours or days without achieving positive result. You can shoot your films anywhere in your office, home etc. asking somebody to hold your phone for you. It all deals with your preparation and creativity.

Press: Recently you posted on social media about film training; can you tell us about it?

Paul-Esupofo: the free training has started for so many years; it started even before we started the school in 2006. The free training started in my living room in ‘Odejayi’ in 1998/1999. It involves making yourself available for people who cannot ordinarily afford you and it has really gone wide. We do Skype training for those outside Nigeria. The first time I did Skype training was in Canada (video training). People can call us as a team; get a venue/ location for us. We can also guide them on how to design (do publicity) and also reach an agreement on certificate of participation and material. No hidden charges.

Press: What can you say about Lagos State ANCEDRAM?

Paul-Esupofo: Well, I thank God for this revival, there was a time I don’t know if they were dying or sleeping or alive but I thank God because since last dispensation I’ve been seeing a kind of revival. The only thing I want to challenge them for is to do more, bombard the internet with the correct message, the right message, and sound biblical message not religious message. Don’t preach religion to people; draw people to have a personal relationship with God. It is only a man that is not complete that compete. Lagos should not compete with anybody, let them just be their selves and do better.

Press: What is the possible challenge Drama Ministers will encounter on location using Smartphone?

Paul-Esupofo: Oh! That is a very fantastic one. We didn’t get here overnight it’s been more than 4 years now. The first time we used a Smartphone on location in November, 2014 we used paper as tripod, it was Iyanu Adebayo that shot it and the title is “Linked with Deity”. You need to prepare because Smartphone requires the same preparation for film making. Using a Smartphone on location doesn’t remove the fact that you are on location, all you needed is to be prepared ahead of time. At times Holy Spirit might minister to you to go and shoot something, with that you can go along with your equipment; with Smartphone you’re good to go. You must make sure your battery is fully charged along with power bank, you must have enough space on your phone, another one is sound, and making sure you move away from noise.

Press: How are you planning to encourage this at the National Level?

Paul-Esupofo: Let me be sincere with you, I’m trusting God to be there at the National level. Just when I started the issue of internet that everybody must be on internet people were looking at me like a strange man. Our ministry has been the pioneer of many new things. As the bible quoted “we are all things to all men.” If we talk about phone, internet, we want to encourage national, it will make our work easier, imagine you want to produce two movies and you’re still waiting for an Editor.  The National should embrace it to solve problem of people being lazy or not fulfilling their purpose, it will also ease the burden. We should all forgive what some Editors have done in the past. We should all work in love. I can tell you a brother was moved with what I did on the internet; he has been releasing film every day since the beginning of this year except for just two days. The name of his ministry is ‘Christ Mirror Drama Ministry,’ and he uses phone to edit. With this we can counter the secular. Especially the comedians releasing nonsensical things to the world, even with just drama skit we can release on our own on YouTube, Dailymotion, et al. If we release Christian films every two weeks we have at least 52 dramas in a year for every week. If each ministry is releasing ten (10) films, ten times ten thousand (10,000); still not enough. With good phone (Smartphone) in your hand all you needed is a good location, fantastic cast, and your crew. The crew could be you and your wife. Look at what Sis Toyin Fatunsin is doing in Spain with her husband. In my home now my wife can light my child can help with the sound. Sometimes I allow them to direct me. With your friends and family you’re good to go. Don’t border to become a professional at the beginning, just aim at quality job and good message. You grow in the work and you learn more in the work.

Press: Any advice for the learners?

Paul-Esupofo: as you know that this is new to many of us, if you are just learning, just take it easy with yourself. Be patient with yourself, be ready to do more, don’t allow people discourage you or shut you down, eschew any form of distractions and any time you are having problems you can call on us we are ready to answer you because we believe Professionalism  plus  anointing equals excellence.

MIKE BAMILOYE WARNS DRAMA MINISTERS AGAINST DISTRACTIONS AT THIS END TIME.

By Oluwafemi Dosu

Evangelist Mike Bamiloye has advised ministers of drama nationwide to eschew any form of distractions in this era we are which is end time. He noted that all the happenings around the world are signs of end time adding that drama ministers are expected to fully maximize what they have in them, but temptations, distractions, oppressions and pressure are making some to work at low level.

The notable drama evangelist who was speaking on the topic “Confronting 21st century Drama/film ministry challenges by contending for the faith” said everybody have been given something to trade with, which the least one can have is one and that single one is huge and has the capacity to take any servant to the top or become significant to his/her generation. 

Bamiloye made this known yesterday, when he was ministering at the state congress of ANCEDRAM Lagos sate chapter, Ajah which happened to be the 14^th state congress of the association.

The doyen of Christian drama while preaching sited the parable of the talent in Matthew 25 vs 17-30 as an illustration saying Jesus distributed the talents according to their abilities giving 5, 2, 1 talents to those servants. He however liken the parable of the talent to today’s generation adding that talent is what people know you for, your point of reference, what you could be known for.

He says it was notice that the one that was given 5 talents gain 100% percent more which is 5 more, the one that was given 2 talents gained 100% more which is 2 more, so as the one that was given 1 talent was expected to gain one more. So drama ministers are expected to gain 100% of our talent which will rise up hope and the glory of Christ. So at the end, everyone is expected to die empty.

Laying more emphasis on vision, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye says God know the vision of everybody and everyone should maximize the purpose why they are created. He however said, some people’s pleasure or career can take away their vision. He advised drama ministers that their vision should determine who to marry, where to work and where to will live.