Ade Obatoyinbo is a senior operations executive with over 20 years of global experience and a focus on corporate strategy and private equity. Strengths throughout his career include acting as a trusted advisor and thought partner to C-suite executives, developing growth strategies, and leading diverse cross-functional teams to execute those strategies in order to yield tangible operational results and improved business performance.
He has three master’s degrees. The first is a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Next is a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The third is an MBA in strategy and operations from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Ade created the idea for the Rainmakers documentary movie and brought the concept to fruition as an executive producer and narrator for the project. He believes in the power of storytelling through the medium of documentaries.
Niyi Akinmolayan is a leading Nigerian filmmaker and director. He's one of Nollywood's most bankable directors, with five of his movies ranking among the top 50 highest-grossing Nigerian films ever. These include blockbusters like "The Wedding Party 2," "Chief Daddy," and "The Set Up." Akinmolayan is also the founder of Anthill Studios, a production company that has a multi-year deal with Amazon Prime Video.
Unveiling Traditions
This phase involved a deep dive into the history and cultural significance of Nigerian rainmakers, using anthropological studies, historical accounts, and local beliefs to understand their role and the phenomenon of rainmaking.
Voices of Experience
We gathered diverse perspectives through interviews with laypersons, witnesses, clients, academics, and the rainmakers themselves, exploring their stories, experiences, and insights into the mysterious practice of controlling rainfall.
Testing the Magic
To empirically assess rainmakers' abilities, we conducted controlled experiments across South West Nigeria, observing and documenting their attempts to prevent rain during specific times, putting their claimed powers to the test.
Quantifying the Mystique
By applying rigorous statistical analysis, we evaluated the outcomes of our field experiments against natural weather patterns, seeking to determine if rainmakers' interventions had any measurable effect beyond mere chance.
Bringing the Story to Screen
The documentary's production combined meticulous planning with a passion for storytelling, involving partnerships with filmmakers, strategic narrative crafting, and a touch of humor to create an engaging and thought-provoking film.
