Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged members of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) to be intentional about mentorship in the creative industry to ensure sustainability and protect the future of Nollywood.
The Governor made this call during a special dinner organised in honour of a DGN delegation visiting the state to celebrate the Guild’s 25th anniversary and take part in the State’s Entertainment Week.
Governor Eno described it as a delight to see Nigerian stars in Nollywood showcase their God-given talents but warned that failure to mentor the younger generation could make the industry lose its audience to foreign competition. He appealed to the State Chairman of DGN to work on bringing back indigenous stars to mentor upcoming professionals in the industry.
“Let the industry understand that your power is in your multiplication. The more we watch you perform, the more we see people that you have mentored, the happier we will be and the industry gets to bubble,” he said.
“For me as the Governor, I think I am first the Governor of Akwa Ibom people. I would like the Chairman of the Guild in Akwa Ibom to please reach out to our own sons and daughters in the industry to join hands and know that we need them, and that Akwa Ibom is also a better place to invest.”
He revealed that his administration would expand the ongoing creative academy into a full creative village to cater for a wider range of needs in the industry. “If we really want to empower our young people, we should have a creative village where the academy would be a component,” he stated.
Governor Eno commended DGN for choosing Akwa Ibom for its anniversary celebration and assured that his government would continue to maintain peace and make the state a preferred destination for investors. He expressed willingness to partner with DGN to train more Akwa Ibom youths in creative industry skills.
Presenting an award to the Governor as Champion and Patron of the Guild, DGN President Mr. Uche Agbo appreciated the Governor for hosting them and for his commitment to the growth of the creative sector.
He noted that the Guild, founded 26 years ago, was created to uphold the rights, integrity, and interest of film, television, and digital directors across Nigeria.
He applauded Governor Eno for appointing the highest number of DGN members as aides on entertainment and pledged to collaborate with the state to train young talents for behind-the-scenes roles in Nollywood.
In his welcome address, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anietie Udofia, said the decision to celebrate the anniversary in Akwa Ibom was to enjoy the state’s safe and serene environment as well as its rich cultural heritage. Ms. Ebenezer Eno, a member of the Guild, thanked the Governor for his support and huge investments in the creative industry.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entertainment, Mr. David Sergeant, popularly known as Utang Akwa Ibom, also appreciated the Governor for hosting the DGN leadership and for his continuous support of the entertainment industry.
