Lagos CDGN Elects New Executive Members

By Perekeme Odon

The Lagos State Chapter of the Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN), which is the powerhouse of creativity in the Nigerian movie industry tagged ‘Nollywood’ comprising of production designers, makeup artists, costume designers and property managers on Thursday, October 31, 2019, elected and sworn in a new executive officers to run the affairs of the guild in Lagos state for the next two years.

Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi

At the end of the election, the award-winning costume and production designer Chairman, Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi and few other contestants were returned unopposed with a two-third vote cast on the contestants who are Ikechukwu Godwin (Vice-Chairman), Innocent Abah (Secretary), Blessing Awusi (Financial Secretary), Salome Oputa (Treasurer), Leo Omoseebi (PRO), Thelma Odozi-Fiberesima (Provost) and Uche Obiora (Welfare Officer).

A Group Photograph of Elected Officers 

The National Secretariat of the guild endorsed the election under the supervision of Mr. Stanley Orobosa (National Provost) and Miss Sandra Ejikeme (National Treasurer) of the guild who conducted the whole process.

The new chairman in her acceptance speech to the media thanked everyone present to witness and observed the election. She promised to do all the necessary things to uplift the guild in the state. “We will organize seminars, training, and workshops for our members. We have lots of members in Lagos state but what happened in the past really made members not to turn up for meetings or pay dues. However, we are going to let them know that things have changed in the guild because we are changing the narrative to bringing sanity in the state chapter of the guild.”

Chairman Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi Addressing Members and The Press

She went further to state that the guild stands for excellence and creativity in totality and corrected the impression of quacks in the industry. “We have professionally trained practitioners for every creative job. I want to see us working in synergy with producers, directors and professional practitioners as we did in the past with no divides or lines to achieve one goal. Most bad creative jobs you may see or watched are not from our members but quacks who believe they can try something since the industry is an all-comers affair for now until a proper regulatory body of membership is inaugurated by the government.”

She said the guild, which also believes in humanitarian service to mankind and humanity, had visited several motherless baby homes since inception in 2002 to contribute their own charitable assistance in one way or the other will go ahead and do more.

CDGN Lagos State Chairman, Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi 

Mr. Tony Anih, former President of the Screenwriters a Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) who was present as an observer urged members of the guild to support the new administration and thanked the members for being calm and confidence reposed in him.

“I want to congratulate CDGN for been one of the calmest guilds in Nollywood with no faction of any sort. Your understanding and diligence have gone round the industry as a professional guild. All that I need from the newly elected officers is to reach out to every member, no matter the differences. The turn out is poor and CDGN been one of the pivots in the Nigerian creative industry is the creative hub of Nollywood with lots of departments in it. Even if we fight, we still have to come together again.” He stated.

Former Screenwriters President, Mr. Tony Anih Handing Over The Certificates of Return

Mr. Anih furthermore advised CDGN members to always ensure to support the executive in any positive ways they can in terms of attending meetings, paying their dues as at when due and whatever help they need to render. “The guild belongs to all of you and not just the executive. Some time ago, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) was factionalized, but today they have realized and come together”. He affirmed.

Present at the election includes Dennis Nkem Onyemeluonu, Perekeme Odon, Chibuko Ikechukwu, Stella Chikereuba Elumeze, Ezike Ebere Augusta, Nkiru Nwauzor and members of the press.

Prayer Session

Session Before Election

Mr. Tony Anih Swearing-in The Newly Elected Executives

(L-R) Provost Thelma Fiberesima & Fin. Sec. Blessing Awusi

(L-R) Charles Orobosa, Innocent Abah, & Dennis Onyemeluonu

(L-R) Charles Orobosa (National Provost) & Sandra Ejikem (National Treasurer)

Perekeme Odon & CDGN Lagos state Chairman, Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi

Uche Obiora Presenting Her Manifesto

Mr. Tony Anih Advising The Newly Elected Officers

Former President, Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria (SWGN), Mr. Tony Anih

Charles Orobosa Counting The Votes

Leo Omoseebi (CDGN PRO)

Innicent Abah Presenting His Manifesto

Salome Oputa Conducting Her Accreditation

Uche Obiora Conducting Her Accresitation

Costume Designer, Nkiru Nwauzor

Vice-Chairman, Ikechukwu Godwin Presenting His Manifesto

Treaurer Salome Oputa Presenting Her Manifesto

Blessing Chikeruba Elumeze Addessing The House

Provost Thelma Odozi-Fiberesima Presenting Her Manifesto

Blessing Awusi Presenting Her Manifesto

Costume Designer Uche Obiora ( Welfare Officer, CDGN Lagos state)

Chairman Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi Addressing Members

Leo Omoseebi (CDGN PRO)

(L-R) Ezike Ebere Augusta & Salome Oputa

Award-Winning Production Designer & PRO Leo Omoseebi Presenting His Manifesto

Charles Orobosa addressing The House

Olorogun Fred Amata Hails Genevieve As Lion Heart Makes Oscar Entry

By Perekeme Odon

The Nigerian film industry has once again done the country proud with an entry at the 2020 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS) in the Best Foreign Film category with ‘Lion Heart; a film produced and directed by delectable actress, Genevieve Nnaji (MFR). The category is dedicated to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States of America with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.

Genevieve Nnaji

Each year, countries with an approved selection committee may submit one film for consideration for the Foreign Language Film Award Oscar, and only five films are chosen from all international submissions from which a winner of the international feature film category is chosen.

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata

The President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Olorogun Fred Amata in his message said,  DGN which is the custodian of the film art and culture in Nigeria with over 20 years in existence has consistently seeks frontiers of interaction to develop and promote standards that pursue artistic excellence. "This accomplishment has unlocked Africa, and Nigeria in particular, that Nigeria has talent as demonstrated by Genevieve Nnaji, and the capacity to stand tall and compete favourably as equals with her international colleagues.” He remarked.

(L-R) Pete Edochie. Onyeka Onwenu & Ngozi Ezeonu

He went further to say, “Lion Heart, first ever Nigerian entry for the Oscars will be seen by future generations as the break-point of the world judgments of Nigerian film, industry and filmmakers to a very large extent because It is also a phenomenal feat that our innovative performers have received much deserved recognition at the heart of the world’s leading film and cinema community in the Best Foreign Film category.”

DGN recognises the evolving revolution of Nigerian female directors who stand out in making the nation proud with their locally produced movies satisfying Nigerians and impacting various cinemas and international film festivals like the Toronto and Berlin Film Festival. DGN inducted 10 female meritorious admissions into the guild to encourage female filmmakers willing to up directorial roles at the 2018 DGN National Convention in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

(L-R) Genevieve Nnaji, Pete Edochie & Nkem Owoh

Olorogun Amata applauds and salutes the cast and production team of the much-admired movie ‘Lion Heart’ for the stimulating contribution they have made to indigenous Nigerian film-making. “We are exceptionally pleased that the efforts of the Federal Government through various film outfits like the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to promote and create an enabling environment for Nigerian film is bearing fruit. We furthermore extend our congratulations to thousands of nameless and faceless persons who contribute to the realization of a film apart from the actors and the film directors. It is the duty of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) to train, produce and nurture a new generation of Nigerian storytellers, through the help of various film institutions and bodies in the country who will take the captivating accounts of our general knowledge to the world.” The President affirmed.

Members of the Nigeria Oscar Selection Committee with the chairman, Chineze Anyaene 

He furthermore acknowledged the reconstituted 12-member committee of Nollywood stakeholders of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC), Chaired by Chineze Anyaene and other members who are Mildred Okwo, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Ngozi Okafor, Charles Novia, Abba Makama, Bruce Ayonote, Ramsey Nouah, Chioma Ude, Shaibu Husseini, Adetokunbo “DJ Tee” Odubawo and CJ Obasi for all the efforts.

“I am convinced that many other exhilarating Nigerian films will follow the marvelous success of ‘Lion Heart’ because the entry will open up new opportunities for Nigerian talents to shine. Through the entry of ‘Lion Heart’ in the Oscars, we hope filmmakers will develop more awareness of the exceptional talent Nigeria possesses and what wonderful scenery and landscape our lovely country has to offer. The Nigerian entry to the Oscar is an indication of the entrance of native Nigerian filmmaking. Today we can sincerely say that we are on the right path and there is no stopping us, now!” He stated.

Kanayo O. Kanayo & Genevieve Nnaji In 'Lion Heart'

Global film audiences have been watching and buying Nigerian films with their wallets and their feet. Before the Oscars entry, the film ‘Lion Heart’ has won analytical commendation. The film, though uniquely Nigerian, has a widespread charm and its road to the Oscars has been covered with various other awards.