Obafemi Lasode
- Director
- Actor
- Producer
Obafemi Bandele Lasode, an audiovisual specialist and filmmaker, is the
Chief Executive Officer of Even-Ezra Nigeria Limited, and the Executive
Producer of Afrika'n Vogue, the audio-visual production arm. Born in
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, on December 4, 1955, Mr. Lasode
hails from Ilawo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Lasode holds a B.Sc. in
Business Administration (International Marketing) from the prestigious
Kogod Business School, American University, in Washington, D.C. and an
M.A. in Communications Arts (Radio and Television) from Brooklyn
College, City University of New York. He attended St. Gregory's
College, Obalende, Lagos. A former President of the Performing
Musicians' Employers Association of Nigeria, (PMAN) from 2002-2003, Mr.
Lasode's professional career started in mid-1981 when he moved to New
York and worked as Television Producer, Assistant Television Director,
and Editor, with WNYE-TV, Channel 25 on Jay Street in Brooklyn. There
he contributed immensely to the production of educational television
programs for children and adults. In 1983, Mr. Lasode joined the Inner
City Broadcasting Corporation, New York, one of the largest Black-owned
and operated radio and television networks in the U.S.A.. As Promotions
Co-coordinator, Mr. Lasode was WLIB Radio's chief image-maker. While in
New York, Mr. Lasode produced a number of African-oriented radio
magazine programs, including Africa in Vogue, on WNYE 91.5FM - Metro
Community Broadcast - New York. These programs were geared towards
educating, enlightening, informing, and entertaining New York
listeners, with the cross-cultural richness, and diversity of the
African culture. Amongst his many guests were Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, King
Sunny Ade, Sonny Okosuns, Chief Oliver De Coque, and Chief Twin
Seven-Seven from Nigeria, Toure Kunda from Senegal, Hugh Masekela from
South Africa, and Mbilia Bel from Zaire. In 1995, Obafemi Bandele
Lasode returned home to Nigeria and established Afrika'n
Vogue/Even-Ezra Studios which produces radio and T.V. programs for T.V.
and Radio stations, worldwide. In 1997, Lasode produced and directed
the epic movie Sango. Two years later, he directed Mask of Mulumba, a
martial arts action-packed adventure movie. Even-Ezra Audio Video
studios has provided audio and/or video support to notable Nigerian
artists whose music genre cuts across Afrorap to Afroragga, to Afrobeat
to Highlife, Fuji, Juju and Apala, to Afro-gospel. Lasode has produced
over 250 Nigerian locally-produced musical videos, spanning across
Nigeria. He has also assisted many popular Nigerian artists in
producing their musical works. Lasode is also the creator and producer
of a number of musical video programs such as Chartbusters, Afrikan
Party Jam, City Rythms, and Afrikan Carnival. Together with Tony Abulu
and Larry Talbot, Obafemi Bandele Lasode was co-executive producer of a
movie titled Back To Africa, a co-production between Even-Ezra Studios
and Black Ivory, based in New York. Lasode is the creator and Executive
Producer of the popular comedy series Paradise Park, which ran on
Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network and Africa Independent
Television (AIT). In 2004, it was awarded a Certificate of Recognition
from the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) - Nigeria's
broadcasting regulatory agency. Lasode is also the Executive Producer
of a number of other comedy programs on Nigerian television, such as
Salami's Household, which ran on NTA Channel 10, and Murhi
International Television (MITV). He has also produced a health-oriented
program, Facts for Life, as well as produced a TV soap-opera, First
Family, shown on Africa Independent Television (AIT). Obafemi Bandele
Lasode also produces musical shows, drama/theatrical performances, and
manages musical acts. In addition, Obafemi Bandele Lasode authored a
book titled, Television Broadcasting: The Nigerian Experience (1959 -
1992).