Akin Salami
Mildred Okwo
Kene Mkparu
Emeka Mba
You are here > Home > Member Introductions
Akin Salami
Akin Salami is a man on a mission and he is also what you would call a serial entrepreneur. He has successfully launched several businesses across a number of sectors including film production, broadcast media, banking, technology, aviation and distribution.
His modus operandi is to positively challenge the status quo within the sector, by successfully applying a different way of thinking. This is most evident in the way that he has sought to revolutionise the face of Black media through the creation of the OH Networks brand.
The Mirror Boy, OH Films' maiden feature film has gone on to break records and to date is one of the most awarded African movies of all time with over 20 awards across the world.
Akin is also part of international partnership that developed an IPTV film distribution platform called the OHBoX with a focus to promoting Africa and African content globally. The OHBoX platform is fast-becoming the secure Nollywood movie-release platform that is designed to benefit Nigerian and African movie producers.
Akin is a proud Nigerian, an ardent lover of film, an Executive Producer, Distributor and Content Developer. He attended Government College, Ibadan and is also a University of Ife, engineering graduate.
Kene Mkparu
Kene Mkparu is MD/CEO of Filmhouse Cinemas Nigeria, a dynamic cinema company with a combined management experience of over 100 years, and a strategic plan to roll-out 25 cinemas over 6 years commencing in December 2012. He is also MD of FilmOne film distribution limited. With over 20 years experience in cinema business management, Kene was MD, Genesis Deluxe Cinemas (2008-2010) and CEO, Film AFRICA UK (2005-2009). He was also General Manager with Odeon Cinemas UK (1991-2008).
Kene has overseen the set-up, financing and growth of Filmhouse Cinemas from a ‘blank sheet’ Start-up in 2012 to a company valued at $6.3million USD in the first 6 months of trading. Kene has served in various public service capacities including Government business initiatives, Government economic Summit, Movies Award Jury and Charity organization. Kene has delivered several film industry lectures/talks, and has also sat on panels for discussion sessions at several film festivals, in Nigeria, the UK, Canada and the USA. Kene has received industry achievement awards for entrepreneurship and for film production, in Nigeria and in the UK, Kene’s film production credits includes Line Producer, Producer and Cast for feature films in the UK and Nigeria.
Kene has an MSc degree in Business Systems Analysis & Design (City University, London, 2001), a Post Grad Diploma (King’s College, University of London, 1991) and a BSc Honors degree (University of Nigeria, 1988). Kene is married with two kids and he loves travelling
Mildred Okwo
Mildred Okwo is a Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Benin Creative Arts Department (UNIBEN). Following her graduation from UNIBEN in 1985, Mildred left for the United States after her youth service in 1986. In 1993, she bagged a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and practiced Civil Rights, Employment and Entertainment Law in Los Angeles, California for several years before returning to Nigeria in 2007.
A self confessed film buff, Mildred’s love for the creative arts never waned even as she founded and operated a law firm. In 1996, she formed Flute Afrique, a boutique record label based in Los Angeles. However, once Nollywood blossomed, she bid her time knowing that her ultimate career goal was to produce quality films especially influenced by her African roots.
In 2004, Mildred presented family friend and film producer Ego Boyo with the first ten pages of her screenplay “30 Days”. The idea for 30 Days was inspired by conditions Mildred observed in Nigeria, and by December 27, 2003 an article written by popular Nigerian columnist Simon Kolawale motivated Mildred to insist on writing and producing movies that gently prick the conscience of its audience. Further, Mildred wanted to offer a better quality production to Nollywood viewers. 30 Days became her directorial and producing debut, and it received several accolades.
After 30 Days, Mildred took time off to understand the Nigerian and African cinema landscape better. Her second film titled “The Meeting” is the result of that hiatus. The meeting released in October 2012 has received and continues to receive several accolades which most recently includes Best Nigerian Feature & President Goodluck Jonathan’s award for most authentic Nigerian Feature, African International film Festival (AFRIFF) 2013.
Mildred is co-founder and managing director of film company The AUDREY SILVA COMPANY (TASC). She also manages the film careers of several Nigerian actors.
Emeka Mba
Emeka Nkem Mba, recently appointed the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is considered by many of his peers as a leading visionary in the converged fields of media, entertainment and technology, with over 23 years cross functional experiences in the converged fields of media & broadcasting, communications technology, and regulatory policy management. Prior to this appointment by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Emeka had served for seven years between 2005 and July 2012 as Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, whilst at the NFVCB he undertook groundbreaking work in restructuring the Nigerian film industry.
Emeka has extensive experience in the media and communications fields, and is currently studying law from the External Programme of the University of London. Mr. Mba holds a B.Sc. Mass Communication, and an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) diploma in Media & Entertainment Management from the IESE Business School of New York. Emeka hails from Enugu State. He is married with three children, and widely travelled. He has attended several courses and training programs in Nigeria and abroad, often times as a speaker on African media, communications technology, and entertainment industry initiatives and future development.