FRED AMATA LED DGN HOLDS ITS INAUGURAL EXCO MEETING IN LAGOS

By Perekeme Odon

(M) Mr. Fred Amata

The inaugural meeting of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria DGN took place on Tuesday July 10, 2018 at the DGN Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos state.

The new executives of the apex guild of the Nigerian movie industry tagged ‘Nollywood’ inaugurated its eight-member executive on Friday 22, June 2018 at the renowned cinema hall of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Obalende, Ikoyi- Lagos after a successful AGM / election in Abeokuta, Ogun state on April 13, 2018.

The President, Mr. Fred Amata welcomed the new Exco members and extended courtesies to all who came from far and near. He admonished members to be of good conduct in discharging their responsibilities, and expressed his dismay about the antagonism suffered by the administration despite the giant steps taken in the last two years.

DGN EXCO

Speaking further, the President highlighted,  “This is a relatively short meeting but it is nonetheless important to welcome you all once again. I recognize and thank the esteem executives for their unprecedented support in my first tenure. It feels good to be here and to have the opportunity to speak at another inaugural meeting. Nigeria is an emerging force in the world of filmmaking and needs no hindrance from achieving its full potentials and attributes by protecting the rights of the directors and take care of the welfare of its members, which is our constitutional responsibility, and most importantly, let every member speak with one cohesive voice to drive and dictate policies. We will do the best to foster a reasonable system for film production by setting goals “. The President underlined on the occasion: “It is far too easy to lose hope in life and the world. That is not an option. We therefore need to seek strength and protect ourselves by laughing more, crying more, exploring ourselves more to challenges. We need to let our world be turned upside down more often. Media habits have changed dramatically in the past five years and we know that streaming and home cinema systems are increasingly part of people's everyday lives”.

Tony Akposheri & Mac Collins Chidebe

In addition, the President emphasized that this tenure will focus on reinforcing the sustainable structures that entrenched the guild. The Physical Structures, including The Secretariat, The Administrative Structure; including Patrons, The Board, The EXCO, Zonal Coordinators, Committees, and the Legal Structure rooted in the Constitution.

TMr. Fred Amata & His Exco

He pledged to increase ties with the administrative operations by sourcing for reliable, well meaning and passionate individuals as patrons to support in driving the affairs of the guild and assured members that perfecting the constitution was priority. He likewise advised members to embrace the NollyINSURED welfare scheme, which is a one of a kind health initiative, tailored for the movie industry and promised members of an organized sensitization workshop at each zone in Nigeria to enlighten members.

President Amata deliberated intensely with its EXCO members on broadening the scope of the guild and defined major highpoints his administration will focus on which include setting up more zones where necessary, intensive capacity building and training programmes for members home and abroad and hosting of International Directors Day / Week / Award Night; where practitioners, Patrons, Fellows and Grand Patron will be honoured.

The EXCO

The DGN President furthermore respectively assured members on the need for appointment of new Zonal Coordinators with terms of reference, Code of Conduct Handbook, DGN press card for appropriate identification and easy access to location.

(L-R) Dan Chukwueze, Fred Amata & Perekeme Odon

In his modest remark, President Fred Amata thanked the executives for their enormous and brilliant contributions and implored them to stay focused and straight like an arrow. “This is not my task alone. Together we are stronger, and together we can. We must make this tenure a turning point by making the changes needed to move the guild forward. My first tenure was years of turmoil and laughter. It brought challenges and crises, at times pushing me to the limits. But it was also one of inspiration. The recognition by the global community of our abilities reflects your generous contributions and investment in our effort. That is why my vision is simply ‘Positioning DGN' with a mission to ‘Introduce globally recognized avant-garde practices which do not come as commercial to local cinema audience and expose local films and filmmakers to the world. We are the last generation who will be able voluntarily to take the necessary steps that will build the road to dignity for all”.

(L-R)Collins Chidebe, Uche Agbo & Tony 

Executive members present at the meet were Mr. Fred Amata (President), Mr. China Mac Collins Chidebe (Vice President), Mr. Uchenna Agbo (National Secretary), Mr. Tony Akposheri (Financial Secretary), Mr. Perekeme Odon (Public Relations Officer), Mr. Osita Okoli (Provost) and Mr. Daniel Chukwueze (Welfare Officer).