By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has charged members of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, to be intentional about providing mentorship for upcoming artistes in the creative industry to ensure sustainability.
Pastor Umo Eno, who gave the charge at the Governor’s Lodge, Government House, Uyo, recently, while playing host to the DGN delegation who were in the State to mark its 25th anniversary and also participate in the State’s Entertainment Week, said it was a delight to watch Nigerian stars in Nollywood showcase their God-given talents.
At a special dinner in honour of the delegation, Eno expressed fears that if the current leadership of the body was not intentional and strategic in mentorship, they could lose their audience to foreign competition.
He specifically called on the state’s chairman of DGN to explore possibilities of bringing back some indigenous stars to assist in mentoring upcoming professionals in the industry.
“Let the industry understand that your power is in your multiplication. The more we watch you perform, the more we see people that you have mentored, the happier we will be and the industry gets to bubble.
“For me as the governor, I think I am first the governor of Akwa Ibom people. I would like the chairman of the Guild in Akwa Ibom to please reach out to our own sons and daughters in the industry to join hands and know that we need them, and that Akwa Ibom is also a better place to invest,” he said.
Eno, who has been very intentional and committed to human capacity development, and promotion of Akwa Ibom creatives, unveiled plans to expand the ongoing creative academy to a village, to cater for a wider range of needs in the industry, noting that, “if we really want to empower our young people, we should have a creative village where the academy would be a component”.
He appreciated the DGN for choosing to mark its 25th anniversary in the State, saying that the State under his leadership was doing everything to maintain peace and make the State a destination of choice, adding that the State was willing to partner the DGN to train more Akwa Ibom youths in the creative industry.
Presenting an award to the governor as Champion and patron of the Guild, the president of the organisation, Mr Uche Agbo, appreciated him for hosting them.
Agbo highlighted the historical background of the organisation which, he noted, was founded 26 years ago, to uphold and protect the right, integrity and interest of television, film, digital and all directors practicing across the 36 states in Nigeria and beyond.
He lauded the governor for his huge investment and positive vision for the creative industry, especially by engaging highest number of their members to be part of his administration as aides on entertainment.
Agbo assured that the Guild would partner the State government to train young people who are interested in working behind the scene in the Nollywood.
The commissioner for culture and tourism, Dr Anietie Udofia, lauded the governor for hosting the entertainers, saying the choice of Akwa Ibom for the anniversary celebration was to offer them the opportunity to enjoy the safe, serene, peaceful ambience and rich cultural heritage of the State.
The senior special assistant to the governor on entertainment, Mr. David Sergeant (a.k.a Utang Akwa Ibom), appreciated the governor for hosting the leadership of DGN to the dinner and for all his support to the industry.
A member of the body, Ms Ebenezer Eno, appreciated the governor for hosting her colleagues in the State and for his huge investments in the creative industry.
Discussion about this post