Social | Imo State makes history with the unveiling of the AGN anniversary mascot
Imo State makes history with the unveiling of the AGN anniversary mascot
The Governor of Imo State made history on Saturday, October 30, 2021 when his Special Adviser on Youth Affairs, Eric Uwakwe collaborated with the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Imo State chapter to officially unveil the Nollywood Imo at 20 years Anniverary Mascot.
The lavish closed ceremony which was chaired by Uwakwe, aims at declaring to stakeholders, the guild's plans and to generate publicity for the anniversary events scheduled from November 26 to 28, 2021.
Highlight of the night was the yanking off of the veil by Hon. Eric Uwakwe, and the sponsor of the event and CEO of Ice Club, Engr. Ifeanyi Emeruwa, to reveal a 34x24 framed Mascot as the official logo for the anniversary program.
In a brief welcome speech, the state chairman of the AGN, Lady Dr. Nneoma Ukpabi, appreciated all the stakeholders for being present at the epoch making occasion, and prayed them to support the midwifing of a successful anniversary outing. She encouraged every citizen of the state to always be law abiding and to embrace peace for the betterment of Imo State.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Eric Uwakwe assured the nollywood family of Governor Uzodinma's commitment to positively impact entertainment in the state.
He said "Government stands strongly behind actors and entertainers in the state. His excellency is committed to changing the narrative in the entertainment subsector." Uwakwe would later, brilliantly answer several press questions thrown at him during the media parley segment of the event.
Reading a three-page address available to this reporter, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Amb. Lambert Nnorom started by recounting how nollywood came to existence in Imo state.
Nnorom, a multiple award winning film director and scriptwriter, stated that all other guild and associations with links to nollywood in Imo state were offshoots of the actors guild in the state. The first chairman of the AGN in Imo, also expressed delight that his dreams for the guild were now coming true.
Going further, the committee chairman gave a detailed outline and objectives of the events lined up for the anniversary celebration to include: Hope for Imo AGN Roadshow: a touring of major roads and streets of the Imo state capital to promote entertainment, peace and unity; and Hope for Imo Actors Lectures: to empower younger guild members and industry wannabes.
Other events include competitions among the seven tertiary institutions in the state, film production houses, and AGN groups; in drama, dance and music. There will also be thanksgiving church services on the final day of the program.
Climax of the ceremony will be the Awards Night and "Orjiugo" Film Premier to hold on November 28, 2021 with plenty scintillating side attractions.
A respected guild leader, Nnorom was also full of appreciation and praises for the national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Dr. Emeka Ejezie Rollas, and the state chairman, Lady Nneoma Ukpabi for bringing about positive change in the guild.
Reacting to questions from newsmen after the event, the state Director of Communications and Public Relations Officer of the Guild in Imo state, Chuma Mmeka enumerated some of the challenges facing the guild in the state to include "We need to be making lots of films, so the teeming youths of this state who are already involved with nollywood, will be gainfully employed."
He continued "It is sad that we do not have a befitting film village for all actors from across Imo.
"There is no befitting office, no befitting transport for the guild in the state; yet despite these challenges, this administration under Comrade Nneoma Ukpabi will relentlessly leave no stone unturned in order to take AGN Imo to the next level."
A notable Thespian and continental Africa award winner in poetry and acting, Chuma Mmeka however revealed that the government of Imo State was already in talks with the guild over plans to train for free, several youths from across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state, in nollywood sector skills like acting, directing, producing, script supervision, property, set and location management, makeup artistry, costuming, sound and light management, etc.
According to Mmeka, beginning from the first quarter of 2022, and working in conjunction with the Imo Youth Affairs Bureau, "The guild will train 270 youth wannabes with interests in filmmaking skills, monthly.
"It is expected that during training, each beneficiary will be exposed to several loans and grants opportunities very much available both national and international.
"It is also expected that the Imo government under the excellent governorship of Most Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma will provide the necessary guarantees to help the benefitting Imo youth acquire the funds they need to become money making filmmakers.
"The guild is still in talks with the governor's office over the necessary technicalities and modalities. We will make more details public as they unfold" Mmeka concluded.
This most talked about event which held at Ice Club Event Hall, hosted a cross section of political bigwigs and government appointees, members of the fourth estate of the realm, actors, other leading Nollywood and entertainment practitioners, plus exhilitating side attractions. It is the first of its kind coming from a state chapter of the Guild
