Connect with us

Entertainment

Emeka Rollas Celebrates One Year in Office…Launches AGN Foundation

Published

on

President Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas has made good his promise of setting up the AGN Foundation for ailing actors even as the body celebrates one year of office of the government of national unity.

This took place at a media briefing yesterday Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at Virgin Rose Resorts, Victoria Island Lagos as practitioners, colleagues, well wishers and friends joined Rollas for achieving a milestone in the history of the industry.

Rollas revealed that the foundation has a mandate of generating N500m (five hundred million naira) endowment fund for actors and also serve as a medium to give back to the fans (community) by engaging in community development projects.

The committee members of the foundation include Segun Arinze (Chairman) Ronnie Dikko (Secretary), Arinze Okonkwo, Zilly Tete, Biodun Okeowo, Susan Peters, Mimi Orjiekwe, Zeena Bako, Ali Nuhu, Wash Waziri Hong, Lilian Bach, Gloria Mba, Steve Eboh, Ruth kadiri, Don Pedro Aganbi and Dakore Akande.

Making further explanations about the gathering, Rolla said: “It is indeed my pleasure to welcome you all to this special occasion of unveiling the AGN Foundation and using same medium to mark one year anniversary of this government of National Unity of Actors Guild of Nigeria with my humble self at the helm of affairs.

Actors’ guild of Nigeria is one among seven other professional guilds that form Nollywood which has accounted for more than 1.4% the country’s GDP or contributed about $7.2bn of Nigeria’s economy. This impact in the country’s development does represent the state of the association as it has experienced ups and downs and has grown stronger over the years.

“Veterans who have contributed to the development of the industry most times do not have anything to fall back on after so long number of years of service. Some move on to other businesses or sectors while some faces varnish with time. In the recent past, the guild have lost prominent veteran actors to serious illnesses due to certain medical conditions which could have been averted if there was a medium or platform set aside to harness the strength of the association to fund medical treatment of our own or a source for funding from philanthropist or Nigerians to help rescue their legends. Actors like Enebeli Elebuwa, Justus Esiri, Arshely Nwosu, Dave lhesie, Sam Loco Efe, Muna Obiekwe, Peter Bunor, Prince James Uche, and a host of others have been lost due to certain medical conditions and whose souls are resting in the bosom of the lord. Presently we have a roll call of ailing members who urgently need urgent medical assistance: Obigeli Molobe, Romanus Amuta as Natty in the new masquerade, Fabian Adibe, Chike Osuji, Nwani Okolo, Patience Oseni, Fidelis Ezenwa, Abraham Madubuko, Dan Nkolagu, Sani Idris Kauru, Mohammed Tata etc. These are men and women who were very active before now making us happy everyday from our TV sets at home but not anymore because of illness.

“With the talent and number of registered members, the era of begging money for dying members because of huge medical bills is of the past. The guild intends to set up a foundation with the sole mandate of generating five hundred million naira endowment fund for the actors and also serve as a medium to give back to the fans (community) by engaging in community development projects.

The foundation will serve as a platform to unite the actors in Nigeria bringing them together for a common good especially during community development projects. The foundations will be used to assist veteran members in times of health challenges and demise. Veteran actors who set the pace for the present and upcoming actors have been neglected and abandoned in the past and they retire wretched and in bad shape. There is need to assist these veterans in times of need to show them their effort did not go unnoticed.

“Funding community development projects is important for the guild to impact lives. Locations of movie setting can be identified for certain community development projects as their needs could be identified during the course of a movie production.

The foundations objectives include but not limited to the following:

• To take care of health needs of Veteran celebrities more especially at old age

• To engage in community development

• To ensure we reach out to the downtrodden in the society as part of AGN corporate social responsibility

On the other hand, we celebrate the one year in office of this government of National unity. Before we were saddled with the responsibility of governance, The Guild was in total disarray. As we assumed office we didn’t waste time and we hit the ground running. In eight months of our administration, we produced the first ever AGN mobile application with payment gateway for dues and new members registration. We introduced the group accident insurance scheme of which over two thousand members have enrolled.

As proud affiliates of Federation of International Actors (FIA), we are pursuing world best standards. Nollywood is no longer about appearing on the screen, it’s now about what comes to you as an actor even after many years of your appearances. If we don’t come together now as a strong union we may lose it completely. I therefore call on all actors home and abroad to key into this new AGN rebranding process, sign up on the insurance scheme, make use of our mobile app downloadable @ google play store. Just type Actors Guild of Nigeria.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, our National Executive Council, Chairmen of the State Chapters and the membership of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), I want to say a very big thank you to the Management of Irachy PR for accepting to be our consultant on this project. It is indeed a partnership that will work. And for all of you, thank you for coming.”

Entertainment

Coal City Film Festival 2024: A Celebration of African Cinema in Enugu…….

Published

on

By

 

Theo Ukpaa, Shuaibu Hussein, Others Shine at the Event!

 

 

The Coal City Film Festival 2024, hosted at the scenic Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu, Nigeria, was a spectacular showcase of glamour and glitz. This premier film event, the largest in the South East, was organized in partnership with the Enugu State government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The festival celebrates the richness of film, culture, and authenticity while providing a platform for industry stakeholders to enhance their artistic and business acumen.

 

This annual event, dedicated to celebrating African cinema, offered a variety of engaging activities in this year’s edition. Attendees enjoyed free film screenings, master classes, and panel discussions. The festival also featured unique cultural experiences, such as a palm wine and bush meat roundtable, a city tour, an awards gala night, and a lively party, all of which attracted many beautiful faces from the film industry and beyond.

Theo Ukpa On Red Carpet

The 3-day event saw a gathering of filmmakers, actors, policymakers, and development agencies in the vibrant Coal City. Notable attendees included the President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, Film and TV Producer Theo Ukpaa, Dr. Shuaibu Hussein, Ijeoma Onah, Andy Amenechi and veteran actors like Segun Arinze and Obi Okoli, adding to the star-studded ambiance of the festival.

 

A major highlight of the festival was the screening of ‘IFEDICHE,’ a movie that opened the Coal City Film Festival 2024. This special film, made in Coal City, revolves around a cultural meal of Enugu, showcasing the region’s rich culinary heritage.

 

The Festival Jury includes Jude Idana, Theo Ukpaa, Chichi Nworah, Arul Marewad and Charles Okwuowulu.

 

Uche Agbo, the founder and Executive Director of the Coal City Film Festival, expressed the festival’s vision to open the doors of South-east Nigeria to the rest of the world through the medium of film. This year’s festival not only celebrated African cinema but also served as a bridge connecting the local culture and creativity to a global audience.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

2024 Young Orators National Finals

Published

on

By

 

The city of Ibadan, Nigeria, hosted a captivating spectacle as finalists from across the nation gathered for the 2024 Young Orators national final competition. Organised by the Peat Philips Foundation, this prestigious event serves as the Nigerian franchise of the International Public Speaking Competition, annually conducted by the English-Speaking Union.

 

Akinleye Olu-Philips, Team Lead at Peat Philips Foundation, highlighted Ibadan’s rich literary heritage, underscoring its significance as a nurturing ground for literary talents in Nigeria.

 

Amidst fierce competition, 20-year-old Folakemi Adebayo, a second-year Law student at the University of Ibadan, clinched the coveted title. Torkuma Mimidoo Perpetual (17), a science student from Rosladys College, Gboko, Benue State and Inioluwa Sodunke from De – Glorious Heritage School, Lagos State, secured the second and third positions respectively.

 

Folakemi Adebayo’s victory earns her the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 2024 International Public Speaking Competition scheduled in London from May 13 to 17. The national final was generously sponsored by Learn Africa Plc, with support from Alpha FC Abuja.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu’s #Makewehalla Video goes viral, Ignites Dialogue on Domestic Abuse

Published

on

By

In a nation where the discussion on domestic violence often remains shrouded in silence, two power actors have ignited a powerful movement that is resonating deeply across Nigeria.

 

Charles Inojie and Ali Nuhu, through their viral video titled #MakeWeHalla, have initiated a much-needed conversation on the pressing issue of domestic violence.

 

The video features the two talented actors in a humorous yet thought-provoking short video, emphasising the importance of speaking out against domestic violence.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C43iD60Nh7e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

 

With their trademark wit and charm, Inojie and Nuhu delivered a compelling message; when Nigerians witness domestic violence, they must make noise, they must ‘halla’.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5BEb4wMq5h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

The video is capturing the attention of viewers across various demographics, sparking discussions on online platforms.

 

Among many Nigerians who have been inspired by the video is a fast-rising actor and social media influencer, Joseph Momodu.

 

He wrote, “Yesoooo Oga Charles. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Domestic violence is not good and the more reason to really Halla!!”

 

A popular Nigerian film director and social media personality, Falalu Abubakar Dorayi, also known as Falalu A. Dorayi, added his voice against sitting on the fence while witnessing incidents of domestic violence. To him, “Women abuse is a bad behavior. Silence, when we see people doing (it), is like giving a chance to continue. It’s true, everywhere we see signs of “abuse” happening. Let’s expose the secrets. #MakeWeHalla.”

 

“This is powerful. We must halla! Like I always say, to fix this nation, you must fix yourself first. You are a part of the nation; once you fix you, you have fixed the nation. This is applicable to a community where domestic violence thrives,” Lanre Adediwura, an award-winning actor and online personality, opined.

 

A Nigerian actress and online celebrity, Kiitan Bukola, said that Nigerians can’t continue to sit on the fence in the face of domestic violence. “We must halla; we can’t continue to ignore. let’s kick against domestic violence… ,“ she wrote.

 

The success of #MakeWeHalla by encouraging individuals to speak up, is empowering communities to break the cycle of silence and stigma.

 

Inojie and Nuhu’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as their initiative has garnered widespread praise and support from both fans and advocacy groups alike.

 

Monsurah Hamza with handle @ayotibami0 wrote, “Kudos to Charles Inojie and Ali Nuhu for sensitizing Nigerians on domestic violence #MakeWeHalla.”

 

Elated social media user @oladebuofficial stated, “How do I like this video 1 million times cos Bravo. Thank you for this… #MakeWeHalla.”

 

Bammy_ay wrote, “We really need more of this kind of video to educate people on domestic violence. Do not die in silence! #MakeWeHalla.”

 

@ekumastanleyifeanyi3 simply commented, “Say no to domestic violence.”

 

Through their creativity and dedication, Inojie and Nuhu have leveraged their platform to shine a spotlight on a critical issue that often remains hidden in the shadows.

Continue Reading

Trending