By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has moved to sanitize and reposition the state as the country’s true cradle of Nollywood by launching a crackdown on unauthorized movie production camps, unveiling a taskforce for enforcement, and rolling out an ambitious entrepreneurship scheme for actors, among other groundbreaking initiatives.
The declarations were made in Awka, the state capital, during the recent grand celebration of the one-year anniversary in office of the current leadership of AGN Anambra, led by Lady Chinyelu Esther Anyaegbunam.
Themed “365 Days in Office: A Celebration of Lady Chinyelu Esther Anyaegbunam’s Administration,” the event was a historic convergence of screen veterans, directors, film producers, stakeholders, and other prominent personalities within the Nigerian film industry. It followed a congress meeting earlier in the day, where members of the Guild deliberated on matters concerning the future of the body and the state’s creative landscape.
Welcoming members, supporters, and invited guests, Lady Anyaegbunam expressed profound appreciation for the trust reposed in her and her team. She disclosed that one of the major priorities of her administration going forward would be to flush out illegal film production activities, which, according to her, have become a dangerous breeding ground for exploitation and unprofessional practices in the state.
To that effect, she announced that the Guild had constituted a taskforce charged with the responsibility of clamping down on such unauthorized operations and ensuring that movie production within Anambra State aligns with industry ethics and safety standards. She also revealed that members of the taskforce have undergone special training to prepare them for the assignment ahead.
She further used the occasion to outline some of the milestones recorded within her first year in office. These included the launch of a digital membership database through the Guild’s new website, strategic talent discovery programmes targeted at rural communities, peace restoration within the Guild, and initiatives that have repositioned Anambra as an increasingly attractive location for professional filmmaking.
Looking ahead, Lady Anyaegbunam also disclosed that the Guild was set to embark on several activities such as a zonal football tournament, state film projects, a beauty pageant, and the formation of a cultural group for women in the creative sector. According to her, these initiatives are geared towards unifying the Guild and harnessing untapped potential for job creation, storytelling, and cultural promotion.
As part of the move to uplift the financial fortunes of actors, the Chairperson unveiled a new entrepreneurship programme designed to help members generate sustainable income outside of acting. She explained that the programme was developed in response to the current economic realities and the need for actors to diversify their sources of livelihood without abandoning their passion for film.
The event also served as a platform for Lady Anyaegbunam to appeal to the government for stronger collaboration with the Guild. She urged Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to support the Guild’s vision by allocating land for a permanent office in the state and involving members of the creative industry in state programmes and development strategies.
While commending Governor Soludo for the launch of the Agunechemba security network, which she said has significantly boosted safety and investor confidence in Anambra, she called on filmmakers in diaspora to return to their roots and rediscover the immense cinematic opportunities within the state. She emphasized that beyond major towns like Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi, Anambra possesses stunning natural scenery that remains largely unexplored.
Veteran actor, Chief Stephen Anajemba, popularly known as Uwaezuoke, saluted the leadership of the Chairperson and recalled how his stage name, birthed in 1985, has since become a brand within the industry. He praised the administration’s achievements and declared his unflinching support for the Anyaegbunam-led team.
Similarly speaking, Apostle Joseph Nwankwoude hailed the administration for restoring hope to the Guild and pledged to be more actively involved in its activities going forward. Another Nollywood heavyweight, Dr. Lawrence Uche, who travelled from Port Harcourt to attend the occasion, described the celebration as unprecedented and symbolic. He charged the state chapter to seize the moment and restore Anambra’s past glory as Nigeria’s original movie capital.
Mr. Kenneth Anigbo (AB Cowboy), the National Vice President (South-East) of the AGN, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Emma Ogugua, were also present at the event. Both men commended the Chairperson for her leadership style, noting that over 80 percent of her campaign promises had already been fulfilled within one year. They applauded her focus on structure, peace, discipline, and innovation, describing her performance as exemplary.
Dignitaries at the colourful event also included Bishop Prof. Emeka Nwankpa, who chaired the occasion, Chief Norbert Ezeani, and other notable stakeholders from within and beyond the film industry.
In her closing remarks, Lady Anyaegbunam extended heartfelt gratitude to all who had stood by her administration since inception. She particularly acknowledged her executive team at both state and zonal levels, referring to them as the “best team I’ve ever worked with.” She also thanked partner guilds, security operatives, as well the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, for their support and goodwill.
