The Nigerian film community has begun efforts to preserve the legacy of late filmmaker, producer and director Dimbo Atiya, following a condolence visit to his family in Jos, Plateau State.
Filmmakers, cultural stakeholders, government representatives and officials of the Nigerian Film Corporation visited the Atiya family on Sunday at their residence in Rayfield, Jos, where they described his death as a major loss to Nigeria’s creative industry.
The visit was coordinated by filmmakers Debrah Jalmet, JD Luka and Sibin Benjamin.
Among those who attended were Manji Diyal, who represented Aisha Augie, Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC); Ephraim Dankyes, Senior Special Assistant on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy to Governor Caleb Mutfwang; and Brian Etuk, Director of Public Affairs at the Nigerian Film Corporation, who represented its Managing Director, Ali Nuhu.
Plangji Cishak received the delegation on behalf of the family.
Speaking during the visit, Mr Diyal said Atiya’s contribution to filmmaking went beyond entertainment, describing him as a storyteller who used his craft to promote Nigerian identity and cultural expression.
“Dimbo was a storyteller and a creative man who believed in the power of the arts to connect people and preserve our identity. His passing is painful because the industry has lost someone who still had much to contribute,” he said.
He noted that Atiya’s career also demonstrated the contribution of Plateau-based filmmakers to Nigeria’s growing creative economy.
Atiya began his filmmaking career in 2008 and later trained at the New York Film Academy in the United States.
Over the years, he worked as a filmmaker, producer, director, writer and showrunner on a number of Nigerian film and television productions.
His credits included Sons of the Caliphate, Halita, Still Falling, Drawing Strength, The Plan, Dala Dala and W.A.R – Wrath and Revenge.
He was also a key creative force behind The Rishantes, a series produced for Africa Magic and Showmax.
The series won the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Africa Magic Original Drama Series in 2022.
His film Drawing Strength also received multiple awards at the 2019 Abuja International Film Festival.
The film won Outstanding Nigerian Film, Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Male Actor, Outstanding Female Actress and the Golden Jury Prize, with Atiya receiving the Outstanding Directing award.
But beyond the awards and productions, colleagues said Atiya’s contribution to the industry was also evident in his efforts to support younger creatives.
In 2023, he established the Ezekiel Gomos Short Film Fund, which provided N1 million in seed funding to two young filmmakers.
The initiative was aimed at helping emerging filmmakers who had ideas and talent but lacked the financial resources to commence their projects.
His colleagues said the initiative reflected his belief in developing the next generation of Nigerian filmmakers.
Atiya was also involved in plans to remake the classic Nigerian television series Cockcrow at Dawn through his company, Innovative Television Kontent, in partnership with NTA and Natives Filmworks.
The proposed production was expected to comprise 104 episodes and was scheduled to be filmed in Jos.
The project was designed to bring the classic Nigerian story to contemporary audiences while using modern production techniques.
For stakeholders in Plateau, the project was also another indication of Atiya’s continued commitment to Jos as a major centre for film and television production.
Mr Dankyes, who represented the Plateau State Government, said the late filmmaker represented the creative spirit of the state.
He described his death as a painful loss to the family, Plateau’s creative community and the wider entertainment industry.
“Dimbo represented the creative spirit of Plateau. His death is not only a loss to his family but also to the arts and entertainment community,” he said.
He assured that the state government would continue to support initiatives designed to strengthen the creative economy and provide opportunities for practitioners.
Also speaking, Mr Etuk, who represented the Nigerian Film Corporation, described Atiya as a passionate filmmaker who remained committed to telling Nigerian stories.
He said his death was a loss to the Nigerian film industry and called for the preservation of the works he left behind.
“Dimbo was part of a generation of filmmakers who believed Nigerian stories must be told by Nigerians. His work reflected that commitment,” he said.
Mr Etuk also stressed the need for proper documentation and preservation of creative works left behind by filmmakers who die before completing their projects.
For the family, the show of support from the creative community provided some comfort at a difficult time.
Mr Cishak, who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked the delegation for visiting and recognising Atiya’s contribution to the industry.
“Dimbo loved what he did. He believed in his work and the people around him. It means a lot to us that his colleagues and institutions have come to stand with the family,” he said.
He added that the family would welcome genuine efforts to preserve the filmmaker’s creative legacy.
The condolence visit brought together people from different areas of the creative industry, reflecting the relationships Atiya built throughout his career.
For his colleagues, his legacy goes beyond the films and television productions associated with his name.
They said it includes the young filmmakers he supported, the professionals who worked on his productions and his contribution to keeping Jos relevant in Nigeria’s film and television industry.
As tributes continue to pour in, members of the creative community said preserving Atiya’s body of work would be an important way of ensuring that his contribution to Nigerian filmmaking continues to inspire future generations.
