Board of Trustees (BoT) Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN), and the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF), are mourning the loss of the association’s National President, Umar Mai Kudi, aka Cashman.
Mai Kudi died in Zaria following a prolonged illness according to the board’s condolence announcement.
The film lecturer, actor and producer was elected National President of the association early this year and had highlighted capacity building and collaboration as his administration’s key strategies to boosting northern Nigeria’s film industry.
In its condolence note, the board recognized Kudi’s commitment and passion to the association, serving it in various capacities as an executive committee member, and its representative at various events.
“His selflessness and dedication to MOPPAN’s goals were truly commendable. May Allah grant Alhaji Maikudi’s soul eternal peace. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his immediate family, all members of MOPPAN and the Nigerian film industry. May Allah grant them the fortitude to bear this immense loss and grant them the strength to navigate this difficult time. May his legacy live on through the impact he made on MOPPAN,” said Chairman, MOPPAN BoT, Makama Sani Mu’azu.
On his part, the founder of KADIFF and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Film Festivals Association (NFFA) Israel Audu Kashim, expressed shock at Maikudi’s said, noted that the ever humble, loyal and committed artiste has contributed actively to KADIFF as a resource person, a zonal coordinator, and was a member of the international festival’s board of jurors this year.
Said Kashim: “Your support and contribution cannot be forgotten; you have made an impact on the industry. Whenever I call you to attend our programmes or even serve in any capacity you never say no! I recall you told me you want to also start a film festival in Zaria to contribute to the growth of the film industry in Zaria, and that you’d need my support to actualize this dream. An event I looked forward to.
We will deeply miss you.”
A seasoned educator, filmmaker and industry leader, Alhaji Maikudi Umar was the Chief lecturer at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, where he taught film and television in the Department of Languages, Mass Communication, Film and Multimedia Studies. He has featured in many Nollywood films both English and Hausa, and won awards to his credit.
