By 1999, he was invited to serve in a public office – as Special Assistant to the Delta State Commissioner for Finance & Economic Planning – Olorogun David Edevbie, who is now his cabinet colleague in charge of Ministry of Finance.

Clem was pivotal along with his Commissioner in pushing through a lot of best practices for the State Government – such as introduction of  computers to budget compilation and ensuring the secretariat was fitted out with telephone lines. Believe it or not, prior to 1999, Delta State Civil Servants used the manual (binary?) style to compile the budget and telephones were a rare commodity. Ask him about that experience which seemed ions ago today, and the ever humble person that he is will state that it’s one of the enduring legacies of Chief James Ibori’s administration – Governor of Delta State.

Clem’s debut and love of the movie industry however predates his entry into public life. He started work on the screenplay adaptation of the Novel Violence in 1996 with his lovely wife Rosemary who wrote the screenplay while he acted as Script Editor. In 2000, they bought the movie rights to the book (Violence) shortly after a chance meeting with Zack Amata in 2000.

The Movie in effect has taken about nine years to finally come to life on screen. Clem seems to love every moment of this movie’s transformation from book to life on screen. Don’t quote me, but it would seem its like him seeing a pregnancy eventually come to life as a beautiful baby. To give credence to that fact, Clem has set up a movie production outfit – TTL Africa studios. Though he has not stated where TTL’s headquarters will be, don’t be surprised if it’s in his beloved Ubulu – Okiti, a village he seems to have great plans for.

Breaking new grounds may be a frustrating, scary effort for many – but for Clem Ofuani, being scared to venture is tantamount to being glued to one spot. This man is not one for staying put and taking the worn road – he’s ready to venture on the untrodden path to create his own dreams waiting to be realized. You go boy!

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AKUME AKUME – UNOBTRUSIVE, BUT SUREFOOTED

His dreadlocks notwithstanding, when you see Akume Akume, you are not sure what to make of him. Some who came across him between 11th and 13th August 2005, during the press tours of the movie Violence, dubbed him Didier Drogba – after the cool looking Chelsea football star.

Though equally young, there’s something very cool about Akume – a sure footedness that he is on top of his game.

Even the boisterous, energetic disc jockey General Manager of HOT FM (Abuja) Chaz Bruce, had to remark that there must be something “special about you” – to named twice “there must be an African explanation” Chaz quipped – to which Akume replied in the affirmative.

He revealed that he is the first born in his family and a spitting image of his dad, so, rather than name him junior, he chose to double his name – Akume Akume. Akume hails from “pounded yam” country – Benue State. Akume’s performance in Violence is brilliant. His deep involvement in his lead character role of (Idemudia) made him admit that the character left life long lesson on him that will serve him well. Akume, says Idemudia’s strength of character and determination not to be a prisoner of his environment and his ability to keep his integrity – despite the odds, are essential commodities of survival for today’s average Nigerian. A likeable fellow, who once acquainted to a person, gets on easily, Akume is sure ready to be a major feature in Nollywood – but remember you saw his most notable performance to date first in Violence.

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 LADI J. TORTY – COMBINING BEAUTY WITH ACTING VERSATILITY.

Don’t be fooled by the pictures. Ladi J. Torty is a contrast of sorts. Her visibly, delectable features and beauty are incongruous to her immediately noticeable shyness on meeting her. Talk of shyness, Ladi J. Torty personifies it period! She has no regrets for it either. Her shyness is a disarming element for even the oddest of the male sect – even Neanderthal’s would melt. Added to her shyness is her almost in-audible voice which at times seems like a pretended effort at gaining attention. But truth is, there is no pretence with this Lady. With her, what you see is what you get – or almost.

Ladi is a current (beauty Queen) Miss Tourism Gombe State and former Miss Unijos. Asked how such a shy personality as her can stand on stage, her reply; “I’m a different person on stage” – interpretation, all the shyness disappears when work is featured. No surprise then, that her brilliant performance has held all who have seen clips of Violence spellbound. As Humphrey Bogart – a Hollywood great would quip “Here’s to looking at you girl”!