Gov. Umo Eno displaying his vest as Patron of DGN.
By Anietie Akpan
Committed to human capacity development and promotion of Akwa Ibom creatives, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has unveiled plans to expand the ongoing creative academy to a village.
The Governor who said this at weekend in a special dinner in honour of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) delegation that were in the State to mark her 25th anniversary as well as participate in the State’s Entertainment week, stated that the idea of expanding the creative acedemy to a village, is 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 noted.
He therefore called on members of the DGN, to be intentional about providing mentorship for young people in the creative industry to ensure sustainability.
The Governor said it was a delight to watch Nigerian stars in Nollywood showcasing their God-given talents.
He, however, expressed fears that if the current leadership of the body was not intentional and strategic in mentorship, they could lose their audience to foreign competition.
He specifically called on the State Chairman of DGN to explore possibilities of bringing back some indigenous stars to assist in mentoring 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.
“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 said.
The Governor appreciated DGN for chosing to mark its 25th anniversary in the State, saying that the State under his leadership was doing everything to maintain peace and make the State a destination of choice.
He said the State was willing to partner with DGN to train more Akwa Ibom youths in the creative industry.
Presenting an award to the Governor as Champion and Patron of the Guild, President of the organization, Mr. Uche Agbo, appreciated the Governor for hosting them.
He highlighted the historical background of the organization which according to him, was founded 26th years ago, to uphold and protect the right, integrity and interest of television, film, digital and all directors practicing across the 36 states of Nigeria and beyond.
Agbo applauded the Governor for his huge investment and positive vision for the creative industry especially by engaging highest number of their members to be part of his administration as aides on entertainment.
He assured that the Guild would partner with the State Government to train young people who are interested in working behind the scene in the Nollywood.
Earlier In his welcome remark, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anietie Udofia, thanked the Governor for hosting the entertainers, adding that the decision to celebrate the anniversary in Akwa Ibom State was for them to come and enjoy the safe, serene, peaceful ambience and rich cultural heritage of the state.
Also speaking, a member of the body, Ms Ebenezer Eno appreciated the Governor for hosting her colleagues in the State and for his huge investments in the creative industry.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entertainment, Mr. David Sergeant popularly known as Utang Akwa Ibom, appreciated the Governor for hosting the leadership of DGN to the dinner and for all his support to the industry.
