PTV News Media

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.