Amina: Izu Ojukwu reveals Okey Ogunjiofor wrote new Netflix movie

Ojukwu revealed that research for the screenplay for 'Amina' began in 1996.

Director Izu Ojukwu is finally letting fans in on a crucial part of the preproduction of his newly released historical film 'Amina'.

Lucy Ameh stars in the lead role as Queen Amina [JudithAudusblog]

In a recent Instagram post, the revered filmmaker disclosed that the screenplay for the film based on warrior queen Amina of Zazzau, was written by the writer of Nollywood classic 'Living In Bondage', Okey Ogunjiofor.

According to Ojukwu, Ogunjiofor contacted him in 2015 to work on the project.

"In 2015 when @Okeyogunjiofor told me about his desire to bring Amina to the screen and wondered if I could come aboard, I knew this was something I had to do," Ojukwu wrote on Instagram.

"Though weary of the fact that recreating a bygone era would always be a daunting task, I was however energized with the knowledge that Okey and his researcher Sola Ojewusi have been seeking deeper roots of Queen Amina since 1996. Tenacious storytellers, whose belief in the story of this great woman drove them to various sources and authorities in northern Nigeria".

The filmmaker also shared images from Ogunjiofor's research visit with Zazzau historians including the late Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris.

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"Okey's fortitude in the pursuit of the Amina cause is unarguably peerless. Despite the challenges that beleaguered us when we filmed, Amina is one story everyone involved in it could look at and be heartened that they're part of the cinematic canonization of one of Africa's most towering figures,” Ojukwu added.

Recall that Ojukwu announced that the historical film would debut exclusively on Netflix years after its anticipated big screen release.

'Amina' stars Lucy Ameh in the lead role alongside veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah, Ali Nuhu, Magaji Mijinyawa among others.