Baba Kekere: Tade Ogidan to direct Lateef Jakande’s biopic

Tade Ogidan has been saddled with the task of filming the life and times of elder statesman and revered politician, late Lateef Kayode Jakande.

The biopic, ‘Baba Kekere,’ has gotten the nod of the Jakande family after co-producers, Dele Momodu, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, and Seun Oloketuyi paid a visit to the late Jakande’s widow and children.

While a release date and timeline are yet to be announced by the producers, it has been revealed that ‘Baba Kekere’ the biopic will have Bimbo Manuel working with Ogidan ahead of pre-production scheduled for May 2021.

The movie, which according to the producers is a one-of-a-kind biopic, will dramatise the life of Jakande drawing on both public and private facts.

Dele Momodu, speaking on the reason why a biopic on Jakande was necessary said, “One of the things we want to achieve with Baba Kekere the movie is that these days, many youths believe that going into politics is merely a means to an end. They believe it is all for money and not service. The life of Jakande is a perfect example that shows that many times, politics is not about money, it is about service.”

For Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, she explained that biopics are an important kind of film to make because they remind people of historical lessons. A movie about the life and times of a phenomenal man like Jakande would be a thorough lesson for those coming after who did not get the privilege of experiencing him.”

On the choice of the title, Oloketuyi shared that Baba Kekere was a fond moniker for Jakande. “Many people referred to him fondly as Baba Kekere. He was an honest, humble politician, and till his death, he was dedicated to the service of humanity and remained a friend to the people, hence the nickname.”

Oloketuyi further revealed that his dedication to the people is one of the reasons the producers came to do a movie to honour him. “The process started about two weeks after his death, and the family has given us approval for the movie to be done,” he shared.

Jakande, who passed on in February 2021 at the age of 91, was a man of many parts in his lifetime – he was a Nigerian journalist who became governor of Lagos State, and later Minister of Works.