In a bid to forge a common front towards sanitization and improvement of the movie industry through a more coordinated structure, leaders of different guilds within Nollywood operating in Delta state have come together under the canopy of the Nollywood Guild Chairmen (NOGUC) Delta state, with the inauguration of the first set of officers and coordinators in Asaba.
Speaking at the event, the state commissioner for culture and tourism, Chief (Dr) Darlington Nnamdi Ijeh, underscored the importance of the entertainment industry to the promotion of culture and tourism, adding that the Oborevwori administration was desirous of creating an enabling environment for the industry to thrive.
Represented by Mr Friday Anaziah, a special assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Director of Culture in the ministry, the commissioner noted that the state government was solidly behind the guilds in their new endeavour, urging them to be united so as to add value to Nollywood in the state.
In her remarks, Nollywood veteran and star, Ngozi Ezeonu, harped on the need for more coordinated efforts and stronger unity among industry operators and actors in line with contemporary local and global challenges.
Recalling that Nollywood used to experience a more robust spirit of communality among movie artistes, Ezeonu charged the newly inaugurated leadership of the NOGUC to midwife a sanitized system through appeal and dialogue rather than enforcement, which should be left for law enforcement agencies to carry out.
“I’d say, so much has changed. When we started, there was so much love. We freely and happily shared food brought in coolers by members; but if you try that today, someone might say you want to poison them.
“Please let’s unite, reenact the old practice and abide by simple rules and regulations to keep the flag flying because Deltans and Nigerians need us. For instance, we don’t shoot beyond 9pm; and, let’s use dialogue”, she said.
The Delta State Police Command spokesman, Mr Bright Edafe (SP), who represented the state police commissioner, Abaniwanda Olufemi, assured that the entertainment industry in the state would continue to enjoy the cooperation of the police if all the stakeholders – including the police personnel – operated under the ambit of the law.
The NOGUC Delta State protem officers inaugurated at the ceremony in Asaba include Chief Mac Collins Chidebe as Chairman, Mr David Akumah (Sodafaces) as Secretary and Miss Tonia Obieze as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) as well as several other coordinators.
The Chairman, who is the President, Southeast Movie Artistes (ASEMA), sued for unity and noted that the NOGUC was on a “rebranding mission”, stressing that the various guilds have voluntarily come together to make Nollywood bigger and formidable in Asaba and Delta State.
Veteran actor and moderator for the programme, Mr Adim Williams, ace comedian, Frank de Don, veteran player, Mr Chinedu Okeke, Ngozi Ezeonu and PPRO Edafe were among dignitaries who witnessed the inauguration ceremony.
Solidarity messages were also received from the Delta State chapter of Actors Guild of Nigeria; Script Supervisors’ Guild Nigeria; Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria; Association of Nigeria Movie Directors Guild; Production Managers Guild of Nigeria, Delta State; Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria; Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria; Cinematographers Society of Nigeria, Delta State; and, Association of Southeast Movie Artistes.
