The city of Surulere, capital of Nollywood made history on Friday 25 January 2019 as the apex body in Nigerian filmmaking, the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) commissioned its national secretariat with pomp and pageantry in a grand style.
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DGN National Secretariat
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
The guild which serves as the umbrella body for film, television and stage directors in Nigeria had the cream de la cream of Nollywood, representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, stakeholders and the media to the groundbreaking event that took place at No 15 Simisola Street, Surulere, Lagos, respectively. Guests were treated to foods, drinks and good music at the open street history-making event to celebrate with DGN.
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| DGN President, Mr. Fred Amata Addressing Guests |
Addressing the gathering, DGN President Mr. Fred Amata thanked the distinguished chairman, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and his entourage for finding time to attend the epoch-making events. “ I thank you all for coming because today is a very special day in the history of Nollwood. We are about to officially open our national secretariat of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria. This is a symbolism of a dream we expect to mature and bring out the true setting of what a secretariat should look like.” He went on to enlighten his annotations that the industry is developing in leaps and bounds, as we need to move on to the next level. He informed his observations about the Directors’ Guild of America having several cinema theatres for screening and viewing of members’ films.
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| Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila Delivering His Speech |
The chairman of the event, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, whose constituency houses the new DGN national secretariat thanked everyone and expressed his appreciation for being invited for the historic event and hope for God to continue to honour us all.
In his opening remark, he congratulated DGN on this great achievement and notified that a lot of people do not understand the importance of the entertainment industry in any country, not just Nigeria alone by not realizing that the entertainment industry provides the funds to run certain things. “I live abroad for a while and I know what they have achieved in terms of exporting our culture abroad through the film industry to other countries. I have seen where highly placed personalities abroad sit down and watch Nollywood movies. I have also seen people putting these movies together and make foreign exchange by exporting these movies abroad.” He said.
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DGN Ushers
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
The DGN President unveiled that the launch is an opening of a dream that will mature not only become a film village, but to include all the epitomes a directors’ guild should have which includes sound studios, training centre, cinema theatre, and many more. He went on to say the task has not been easy and used the opportunity to applaud the first President of DGN Mr. Mathias Obaihiagbon, who similarly was the MC of the occasion and furthermore pay accolades to the founding fathers of the guild and also informed everyone present that, “DGN has a unique story of its creation by a gang of seven angry men who woke up one morning out of sheer anger, came together, formed and registered the guild so as to speak with one voice. I want to use this platform to also announce to you all that the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year."
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(L-R) Uche Agbo, Fred Amata and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
The majority leader of the House of Representative revealed his growing up in Surulere that has become a centre for the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
“I used to hang out at the National Theatre and a base off Adeniran
Ogunsanya. A lot of people have come out of Surulere and occupy a top
echelon in the artistic profession; even though I don’t want to mention
names but particularly we have one of you that we stole from the
entertainment industry to the political environment.” He affirmed.
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Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Mr. Fred Amata
Photo Credit: Perekeme Odon |
He said as legislators they could do whatever they can to make sure they annex these resources, put them together, make the industry work for filmmakers, and work for Nigeria. He accentuated that “ We are not too well organized and not where we need to be. There are so much potential in this country. I have so much regard and respect for actors and actresses and always ask myself; are there natural actors or are there those who leant the trade to adjust from one role to another?”
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Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila Cutting the tape
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
The chairman acknowledged the supports of filmmakers and advised practitioners not to sit back but relate with government agencies that have to do with their industry; and seek ways for practitioners to occupy some of these positions so as to avoid bringing square pegs to manage round holes because the government work with information. He expressed his delight seeing our movies going global through ‘Lion Heart’ by Genevieve Nnaji on Netflix and encouraged collaboration deals between Nollywood, Bollywood, Hollywood and the rest of the world.
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Mr. Fred Amata, Hon. Desmond Elliot and Chief Emeka Ossai
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
The majority leader of the National House of Representative revealed his growing up in Surulere that has become a centre for the entertainment industry in Nigeria. “I used to hang out at the National Theatre and a base off Adeniran Ogunsanya. A lot of people have come out of Surulere and occupy a top echelon in the artistic profession; even though I don’t want to mention names but particularly we have one of you that we stole from the entertainment industry to the political environment.” He affirmed.
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Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila In A Meeting With DGN EXCO
Photo Credit: Soibifaa DOKUBO |
Emphasizing on the event is Nollywood actor and director; and member, Lagos state House of Assemble Hon. Desmond Olusola Elliot who struck the chord and insisted that, “Having a concrete cooperation between the creative industry and politics is very vital. Even though the law backing the industry falls under the exclusive list, we still need our lawmakers to work on it. From the state level, we have seen that the government of Akinwunmi Ambode has brought in tourism and entertainment from a very wholesome level. Again, the majority leader is more poised on piracy and copyright issues.” He asserted that he wants a situation where Nigerians can market their own culture, the image and performances of our government through filmmaking for export.
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Hon. Desmond Elliot and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Fred Amata commended DGN for being the first Nollywood guild to officially launch a befitting secretariat after the recent launch of the Imo state office at the Imo Entertainment House donated by Owelle Rochas Okorocha on the 17 January 2019. “ Our dream is just beginning and to show you the possibilities of what we can achieve. However, we seek your supports and understanding to achieve this dream that we have set out to establish today.” He said.
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A Section Of The Crowd
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
Attendance includes Mr. Zeb Ejiro (MFR), Chief Emeka Ossai, Sam Azubuike, Sonny McDon W., Emeka Enyiocha, Osita Iheme, Franca Brown, Frank Dallas, Emeka Ojukwu (Torino), Former DGN President, Bond Emeruwa, NANTAP President, Israel Eboh, Former DGN VP, Kingsley Omoefe, AMP President, Ralph Nwadike, Former President, SWGN, Tony Anih, Soibifaa Diminas, Sandra Ejikeme (CDGN), Victor Emeghara, DGN Fin Sec, Tony Akposheri, AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna, VP AMP, Foster Ojohonmon, Francis Onwuchie, Sam Obiakeme, C. C. Nze, DGN Welfare Officer, Osita Okoli, DGN Nat. Secretary, Uche Agbo, Saheed Apampa, Soibifaa Dokubo, Victor Akande, Mozzyva Picture Boss, Onyi Okechukwu, DGN PRO, Perekeme Odon, Chuks Ejiofor, Tari West, Aaron Garvey, Former AGN NAT SEC, Abubakar Yakubu, Emma Olabode, Ben Chukwuma, NCAC Rep, Victor Ahuama, AMP Secretary, Eazzy Ologe Godspower, Wisdom Nwankwo, Frank Oite, Mike Nliam, Abay Esho, Actor Victory, Naija FM Paula Otu, Ayo Obalisa, Cosmas Abasi, Emeka Duru, Franklin Okoro, Moses Eso, Ifeanyi Chimeh and many others.
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Mr. Zeb Ejiro (MFR) Congratulating Mr. Fred Amata
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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(L-R)Soibifaa Diminas, Victory, Kingsley Omoefe, Chuks Ejiofor & Aaron Garvey
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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Mercy Ogori and Perekeme Odon
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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Mercy Ogoti, Pere Odon, Desmond Elliot, Guest and Officer Kola
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Cosmas Abasi, Victory and Frank Dallas
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Franca Brown In An Interview Session
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(L-R)Ben Chukwuma, Fred Amata, Emeka Enyiocha, Desmond Elliot
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Silverbird Television On Sonny McDon W.
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Officer Kola, Francis Onwuchie & Perekeme Odon
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Frank Oite and A Guest
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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Former DGN President, Mr. Bond Emeruwa
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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(L-R)Officer Kola, Victor, Mike Nlian, A Guest, Zeb Ejiro (MFR) and Pere Odon
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Zeb Ejiro (MFR) Congratulating Mr. Fred Amata
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A cross section of the crowd with Desmond Elliot
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| (L-R)Sonny McDon W, Osita Iheme, Emma Olabode & Onyi Okechukwu |
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(L-R) Franklin Okoro, Emeka "Torino" Ojukwu & Fred Peters
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DGN President, Fred Amata Explaining The Way Forward To Hon Gbajabiamila
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(L-R)Sam Obiakeme, Foster Ojohonmon & Franca Brown
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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Aaron Garvey and Sam Azubuike
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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Hon. Desmond and Hon Gbajabiamila
Photo Credit: Eshsilo Visuals |
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Nollywood Practitioners
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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(L-R)Sonny McDon, Ben Chukwuma and Emeka Enyiocha
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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| Femi Gbajabiamila Inspecting The Secretariat- Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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(L-R) Fred Amata, Desmond Elliot and Chief Emeka Ossai
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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Former DGN President, Bond Emeruwa, Osita Iheme & Chuks Ejiofor
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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Osita Iheme Flanked by Hon. Gbajabiamila, Fred Amtata & Mathias Obaihiagbon
Photo Credit:Soibifaa Dokubo |
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Zeb Ejiro (MFR) and Fred Amata
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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| (L-R)Hon. Desmond Elliot, Chuks Ejiofor, Saheed Apampa & Onyi Okechukwu |
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(L-R) Mr. Sam Azubuike, Uche Agbo, Sandra Ejikeme, Pere Odon and Israel Eboh
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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President Fred Amata and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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Franca Brown
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visual |
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(L-R) First DGN President, Mr. Mathias Obaihaigbon and A Guest
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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NANTAP President, Mr. Israel Eboh and a Guest
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila Flanked By DGN EXCO
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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(L-R) Sonny McDon, Mercy Ogori, Tari West and Franca Brwon
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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(L-R) Emeka Ossai, Frank Dallas and Emeka Entiocha
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A Cross Section Of Guests
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AMP General Secretary, Wisdom Nwankwo and Soibifaa Dokubo
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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(L-R) Tony Akposheri, Sonny McDon W. and AGN Nat. PRO Mr. Frank Dallas
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(L-R)Uche Agbo, Fred Amata and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
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(L-R) Mike Nlian, Fred Amata, Queen, Desmond Elliot, Tony Akposheri and Tony Anih
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(L-R)Frank Dallas, Aaron Garvey, Sonny McDon, Soibifaa, Victor, Mathias, and Victory
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(L-R) Friday Akpobome, Sonny McDon, Chuks Ejiofor and Fred Peters
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(L-R)Ayo Obalisa, Victor, Fred, Desmond, Uche Agbo, Pere Odon and McDon
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Franca Brown
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Uche Agbo and Fred Amata
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Emeka Enyiocha
Photo Credit: Moses Eso |
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Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila Commissioned The DGN National Secretariat
Photo Credit: Perekeme Odon |
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(L-R) Fred Amata, Emeka Enyiocha, Desmond Elliot and Uche Agbo
Photo Credit: Moses Eso |
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Fred Amata Addressing The Crowd
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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(L-R)Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Fred Amata and Tony Akposheri
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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Hon. Desmond Elliot
Photo Credit: Ehsilo Visuals |
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Hon. Gbajabiamila Unveiled DGN National Secretariat
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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DGN Fin Sec, Tony Akposheri Poses With The DGN Ushers
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
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AMP National Secretary Wisdom Nwankwo (M) & VP Foster Ojohonmon(R)
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| (L-R) Onyi Okechukwu, Chuks John Ejiofor & Saheed Apampa |
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Femi, Emma Olabode & Osita Iheme
Photo Credit: Soibifaa Dokubo |
