Joshua Ojo: How I escaped death days before filming Soyinka biopic

Joshua Ojo, the producer of a biopic on Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate, has recalled his near-death accident days before shooting the movie.

In April, Ojo announced the production of the biopic, which chronicled the life of Soyinka.

The film captures the journey of the iconic playwright, including his early years, literary achievements, and activism.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Ojo said the movie, featuring actors Lateef Adedimeji, Ibrahim Chatta, Bimbo Oshin, and Jide Kosoko, will hit cinemas on November 8.

In another post on Friday, the filmmaker revealed that he was involved in a car accident a few days before the movie shoot began.

Ojo said the incident “left my leg five times bigger”, adding that he had to undergo emergency surgery.

He said he was hospitalised multiple times for nearly two months while shooting the movie, and could not walk for one year.

“An unthinkable thing happened to me a few days before the shoot of my film WOLE SOYINKA. I went out and on my way back to my hotel room in Ibadan, I was hit by a hit-and-run driver,” he said on Instagram.

“I didn’t see the car coming, the car came from behind, dragged me for few seconds and when the driver managed to stop, he reversed, did more damage to my leg and zoomed off.

“That was the last thing I remembered. I passed out and woke up only to discovered that I was still there. I saw people taking pictures and recording me. I couldn’t get up. I pleaded that they should help me to avoid another car hitting me but they were busy making contents.

“So l managed to order for a ride. At that time, my leg was already times 5 of what it used to be. We drove to UCH Ibadan.

“I thought it was just a small accident, not until I did an X-ray and I was given two options, either they amputate my leg or I go for an emergency surgery.

“So I had to go for the emergency surgery and after the surgery, I came back looking like a RoboCop. I had almost 15 metals pierced into my leg with nails, bolts etc and we went back to shoot.

“So l had a time table, I’ll shoot for two days and rush back to the hospital, then back to shoot the next day. That was how we filmed Wole Soyinka for more than 50 days.

“God gave me a second chance to live and l’ll forever be grateful. I visited Prof Wole Soyinka in one of those pictures and he said to me, I’M PROUD OF YOU.

“I’ll like to thank the driver, the special angel in my corner, my family and the entire cast and crew for standing by me during the healing process. I couldn’t walk for more than one year.”

 

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