Centered around an American Catholic priest, Reverend Father Michael Simmons deployed from Turin, Italy to Ikoyi, Nigeria, it is the story of his involvement with Makoko’s street children, and his struggles confronting Makoko’s dangerous kingpin, Shuga who has them locked in criminal servitude.
Featuring Rich Lowe Ikenna as Rev Fr. Simmons and Enyinna Nwigwe as Shuga the movie shot at various locations in Rome, Atlanta, Lagos and Turin, has garnered international acclaim at prior premieres in Dublin, Ireland; Atlanta, US; Lagos, Nigeria and Turin, Italy. It is directed by Obi Emelonye and executive produced by Rev Fr. Cyril Odia, a Salesian priest of the Saint John Bosco Missionary spirit, from whose youth ministry the film draws film. It is arguable the first global screened Nigerian Catholic movie.
“The Oratory is not just a movie it is an integral aspect of a broader multi-dimensional initiative which not only reminds us individually and as a collective our civic responsibilities towards street children but also creates an inclusionary framework for the upliftment of homeless, delinquent and juvenile youths who are at risk of negative societal evils as violence, sexual abuse, trafficking and crime,” added Chairman of the movie’s organizing committee, Gbenga Adebija.