FCTA to partner DGN @20

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed willingness to partner with the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) as it seeks to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Abuja in November.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa made the pledge when he received members of the DGN and other prominent Nollywood actors and actresses who paid a courtesy visit to the FCTA.

While congratulating the DGN for its 20th anniversary, Ohaa said the FCTA had all the necessary departments that could collaborate with the Directors Guild of Nigeria effectively in its quest to take the industry to greater heights.

“We have different departments like the Abuja Film village, Centre for Arts and Culture, and even the FCT Archives that can collaborate with the Nollywood effectively. The Directors Guild of Nigeria can come to the FCT Archives to get a lot of information that they will use to add value to what they are doing.

“We will create an enabling environment for the Nollywood industry to thrive in the FCT and the country at large. We are also going to collaborate with you to discuss with some private organisations that have relationship with FCTA to help sponsor some of your programmes.

“You are making Nigeria proud in the world entertainment space. Virtually most of you here are well known and a lot of Nigerians watch your films to ease the stress of living.”

Speaking earlier, the President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Chief Fred Amata stressed the need for more interface between government and the Nollywood industry in order to move the industry to the desired level.

Amata, who appealed to the government to create favourable policies for the industry, solicited the support of FCTA in the area of capacity building for artistes.

“Government policies still needs to be better articulated to address challenges in the industry. We know that government recently, through the CBN, released huge money to the industry as a loan but it should be more than that.

We need grants for the film industry to make it national project to make Nollywood capable of producing contents that can increase revenue for the country.”

Speaking on the contributions of the DGN to the Nigerian entertainment industry, Amata said the “DGN and its retinue of directors can boast responsibility for the biggest projects the industry started with, creating and nurturing the biggest actors, biggest structures, biggest engagements and creating the biggest icons the industry knows till date”

He also commended the FCT Administration for always supporting the industry, particularly in the establishment of the Abuja Film Village International and the staging of the annual Abuja Carnival.

Notable actors who accompanied Amata for the visit included Segun Arinze, Kanayo Kanayo, Kate Henshow, Tony Akposheri and Francis Duru, amongst others.