The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has applauded Nigerian international broadcaster and filmmaker, Gbolahan Macjob, for his groundbreaking local language film, Ireke: Rise of the Maroons, which has set unprecedented records on the global stage.
In a statement issued on Thursday by NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described Ireke as a cultural milestone and a major boost to Nigeria’s creative image abroad.
The epic movie, which chronicles an African slave rebellion in the Caribbean — a first in the history of filmmaking — has earned global acclaim, resonating not only with Africans in the diaspora but also with Caribbean audiences, British communities, and wider international viewership.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Macjob, a senior journalist with the BBC World Service and an Emmy-nominated broadcaster, represents the blend of Nigerian homegrown talent and international excellence.
She highlighted that his formative years in Abeokuta, where he studied Mass Communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, shaped his artistic and professional journey.
“It is inspiring to see a Nigerian in the diaspora using film to project African and Nigerian history on a global stage. Gbolahan Macjob has shown that with determination and creativity, Nigerians can dominate even in spaces where our stories have long been neglected,” she said.
The NIDCOM boss also commended Macjob for his contributions to capacity-building back home, citing his donations and training initiatives for young broadcasters in Nigeria.
She assured that NIDCOM would continue to support diaspora Nigerians whose works promote the nation’s image and help uplift local talents.
Ireke has already achieved historic firsts, including being the first Nigerian local language film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the Nollywood film with the largest and longest cinema run in the United Kingdom, and the first to hold a worldwide same-day premiere across London, Lagos, and Abeokuta.
It also distinguished itself as the only Nollywood film to stage a press screening before its official premiere.
With a Canadian tour in the pipeline, Dabiri-Erewa said the success of Ireke was symbolic of Nigeria’s renewed rise as a respected force in global arts and culture.
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