Over 500 Nollywood stars from within and outside Delta State converged on Asaba for the inauguration of the newly elected executive council of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Delta State Chapter, and the unveiling of a state-of-the-art secretariat complex.
The colourful ceremony, which attracted traditional rulers, serving commissioners in the Delta State Executive Council, aides to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on entertainment, top local government officials from Delta and Edo states, and executives of the Delta Chapter of City Boys, also featured the unveiling of major initiatives aimed at repositioning the creative industry in the state.
The newly inaugurated AGN Delta executive council is led by Prince Kelvin Uvo-Oghogho.
Speaking at the ceremony, the National President of AGN, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu Sanusi, charged the new Delta executives to unite members, build bridges and work collectively to make the chapter the best in Nigeria.
Sanusi described the occasion as more than an inauguration, saying it was a celebration of excellence, unity and purpose.
He commended AGN members in Delta for demonstrating what true democracy and professionalism should be, noting that their commitment and united front had further strengthened the state’s reputation as a major hub of filmmaking in Nigeria.
The AGN President congratulated all contestants who participated in the election, stressing that there were no winners or losers because the ultimate winner was the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
He urged the new chairman to reach out to all members, build bridges and foster unity, while ensuring that his administration remained guided by the five-point agenda of the national leadership.
Sanusi also reminded members of the new State Executive Council that their positions were a call to service and not an avenue for personal recognition.
He said leadership positions came with responsibilities and challenges, urging the executives to justify the confidence reposed in them by making the Delta Chapter a model for other AGN chapters across the country.
“Show us what you can do. Show us that Delta State is the best chapter in Nigeria,” he charged.
The newly elected executives, who had earlier taken their oath of office on election day, were formally inaugurated with the presentation of certificates of office and other official instruments.
In his address, the new Delta State AGN Chairman, Prince Kelvin Uvo-Oghogho, described Delta as the home of filmmaking, not only in Nigeria but across the Black race, and called for greater
Uvo-Oghogho appealed to government officials present to convey a message to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, stressing that Nollywood remained one of the largest employers of labour in Delta State and therefore deserved greater attention and support from government.
He announced that the chapter had secured 200 acres of land for Nollywood development, including 50 acres at Ogwashi-Uku, with the support of the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku and Hon. Rita Daniels.
He described the land acquisition as a major breakthrough that would provide a platform for the expansion of the entertainment industry in Delta State.
The Delta AGN chairman also unveiled a welfare agenda aimed at improving the working and living conditions of actors in the state.
He promised better welfare packages for upcoming actors, while assuring veterans and established practitioners of improved support and benefits under the new administration.
Uvo-Oghogho particularly assured female actors of greater protection, saying his administration, in collaboration with the national leadership, would work to eliminate intimidation and other forms of harassment against women in Nollywood.
He disclosed that the chapter was also working towards introducing a health insurance scheme for members in partnership with an insurance company.
According to him, the initiative would help actors access affordable healthcare and reduce the financial burden associated with hospital treatment.
The new administration also announced plans to partner with the Delta State Ministry of Science and Technology to expose actors to digital technology and artificial intelligence.
Uvo-Oghogho said the partnership was necessary as the global entertainment industry increasingly embraces digital technology and AI.
He added that the chapter would also partner with the Delta State Ministry of Energy on initiatives expected to strengthen the creative industry and improve opportunities for members.
He assured Nollywood practitioners that his administration would focus on tangible achievements, declaring that the new era in AGN Delta would be characterised by “progress, progress, progress.”
Addressing concerns about political affiliations, Uvo-Oghogho stressed that the Actors Guild of Nigeria was not a political party.
He, however, said the guild would support individuals and institutions that genuinely support the interests of Nigerian actors and the creative industry.
He expressed appreciation to the national leadership, traditional rulers, government officials, colleagues, mentors and supporters for their contributions to the success of the new administration.
The chairman also acknowledged the efforts of members of his campaign team, particularly Anita Ngozi Odiakose, whom he described as a dedicated Director-General who worked tirelessly during the campaign.
The chairman also announced that, for the first time, the AGN Delta Chapter now had its own permanent secretariat.
The state-of-the-art facility, located along DBS Road in Asaba, was unveiled by the national president amidst jubilation by members and guests.
Sanusi commended Uvo-Oghogho for achieving the feat barely one month after assuming office, describing it as a laudable accomplishment.
Meanwhile, a traditional ruler from Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State , His Royal Majesty Dr. Isaac Erube Uvo , the Ozu II of Igbuku Kingdom, who witnessed the ceremony expressed satisfaction with the positive influence of Nollywood films on homes and families.
The monarch, a father of Prince Kelvin Uvo- Oghogho commended the industry for its role in entertaining, educating and shaping societal values.
The ceremony climaxed with a tour of the newly unveiled AGN Delta State Secretariat Complex by the national president and other dignitaries, as members celebrated the new leadership and the chapter’s ambitious plans for the future.
