Chijindu Kelechi Eke
Chijindu Kelechi Eke | |
|---|---|
| Born | Owerri, Imo State |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Other names | Kelechi Eke, biGObi, Ihemba |
| Citizenship | American |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Dallas |
| Occupation | Film Director |
| Years active | 2009-Present |
| Known for | Film and Software Engineering |
| Notable work | Rootflix |
| Title | Ichie Ihemba 1 of Imerienwe |
| Awards | United States President's Lifetime Achievement Award |
Kelechi Eke is a multi award-winning Nigerian American Film director, Software engineer, and Humanitarian. He is the founder of The African Film Festival (TAFF), founder of Village Arts & Film Festival (VILLAFFEST), and the creator of African movies streaming service, Rootflix. He is also the founder of African Women Arts & Film Festival (AWAFFEST) which celebrates the work of African women in film. His released films are used in globally recognized universities like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, as reference materials for African and Immigration Studies.
On September 30, 2022, Kelechi Eke initiated a project that he called Operation Light up Amafor to install solar streetlights in his community. During the coronation on December 26, 2023, he was crowned into royalty as the first "Ichie Ihemba" of Imerienwe in the Imo State of Nigeria.
Despite primarily living in the United States, Ichie Kelechi Eke was appointed as the board chairman of Para-Soccer Association of Imo State on February 20th, 2024 because of the passion he has for the development of sports and care for people with disabilities.
On September 2, 2024, Ichie Kelechi Eke called for unity in his community and offered to revive the abandoned Amafor Day celebration, which usually took place every December 27th in observance of cultural heritage. He transformed it to a carnival, characterized by vibrant displays of traditional attire, dance performances, and the inclusion of new elements like sports tournament and beauty pageant, which offered opportunities for young women, including scholarships.
On October 5, 2024, Ichie Kelechi Eke presided over the inauguration of Odenigbo Cultural Club, an organization that he founded in Dallas to celebrate Igbo culture and to preserve Igbo language in the diaspora. He and members of the organization use this platform to teach their native tongue to their children born abroad and students willing to learn Igbo language.
In response to the federal government's call for Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and invest to boost the country's economy, Ichie Kelechi Eke opened a bakery in Owerri on February 1, 2025, to provide employment and to produce Ihemba Bread.