Better Days Ahead For Actors As AGN Aims Sanitization Of Nigeria’s Film Industry.

"Unarguably to sanitize the Nigerian film industry, the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Lagos Chapter, has on Monday 5th of July, 2022 declared open a 5-day training programme under the chairmanship of Emeka Rising Ibeh. As he aptly paints the picture of untoward happenings in the industry, and pointed the way forward, he said, “It’s no longer news that the Industry is lacking quality cum method Actors".

“The Actors Guild of Nigeria has therefore placed on hold issuance of Identity cards to people who just registered with the Guild starting from July 1st 2022. All new members must pass through training at their state chapters and an annual induction ceremony before obtaining Identity cards.

All old and new members’ information to be updated on the Guild's websites from September 1st 2022.

Members should use the window period of July to September and regularize membership with their state chapters to avoid embarrassing moments at locations. Films with unregistered members will not be approved by the Nigeria Film & Video Censors Board”.

Against the foregoing backdrop, there is no denying the fact that issues facing the Nigerian film industry, in the recent times, call for an urgent intervention of the leadership of the AGN, which is unarguably the apex regulatory body of the industry.

The 5-day training and sensitization, which is free, and targeted at both registered and non-registered members in the industry, and scheduled to end today has Ambassador Paul Obazele, Segun Arinze, Keppy Ekpeyong and Dr. Henry Chidi as resource persons at the training. In as much as the training dwells on imbuing participants with information on how to become a movie star and practitioner, how to easily get registered with the Guild, and offers opportunity to partake in a short and full length movies after the training, how to be prepared ahead of the challenges to stardom, and how to be connected with movie producers and directors, it also dwells on other issues that would guide both greenhorns and veterans in the industry on how to remain relevant and to be reckoned with.

There is no denying the fact that the event could not have come at a better time than now, particularly when seen from the perspective of the fact that an online viral picture of veteran actor, Kenneth Aguba living on the street trended to the consternation of the leadership of the Guild recently to the consternation of the leadership of the Guild.

Against the forgoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that the Guild reacted, particularly when its attention was drawn to the story that arguably cast aspersion at its image. In the forgoing light, the National President of the Guild, Ejezie Emeka Rollas stated in clear terms that the Guild has never abandoned Kenneth Aguba.

He explained, “Enugu state chapter of the Guild and individual members have been supportive in both provision of accommodation and medical interventions in the past four years to the veteran actor until his matter which could be a spiritual issue, degenerated recently.

“The Guild just does not make public, issues regarding assistance to its members. The National President frowns at the shades thrown at the leadership of the Guild since the story went viral, describing it as the handwork of detractors which may not be unconnected with the present towering reputation of the Guild.

“Actors Guild of Nigeria wishes to reiterate that it welcomes inquiries on issues regarding welfare of members, as the Guild runs an open-door policy and calls on the public to always verify their stories before expressing not-so-palatable comments.

“Meanwhile, the National President wishes to thank good spirited members who have called to show concern and willingness to provide immediate intervention”.

Against the backdrop of the training, there is no denying the fact that better days lie ahead for practitioners in the industry, particularly when sustained and its contents brought to bear on the field of practice.

Sandra Ijeoma Okoye (Author)