Filmmaker, Prince Daniel Aboki has denied claims that he was rejected in Kannywood and Nollywood because of his religion and northern roots.

Aboki stated that he never made such an assertion in any interview and attributed the misunderstanding to comments he made during a Nollywood in Hollywood event in Los Angeles.

The director of ‘Mai Martaba’ explained that his remarks were intended to address the division in Nigeria’s film industry and the challenges of navigating between Kannywood and Nollywood.

He pointed out that while his films were sometimes mistaken as Nollywood by Kannywood and Kannywood by Nollywood, it was not due to religious or ethnic discrimination.

Aboki said, “For clarity, Kannywood has never rejected me on the basis of ethnicity or religion. In fact, it has been my greatest pillar of support as a filmmaker.”

He commended Kannywood’s industry practitioners and audience for their consistent support during the cinema premiere of ‘Mai Martaba’.

Aboki reiterated his dedication to improving Kannywood by collaborating with industry veterans and showcasing northern stories on a global stage.

“I remain committed to working with my colleagues and the founding fathers of Kannywood to elevate the standard of our industry, telling our stories to the world and creating employment opportunities for our youth,” he stated.