The Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) says it wants to collaborate with
the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to promote its operations through
motion picture.
Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, National President of AGN, stated this on
Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Guild’s leadership to the
Comptroller-General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, in Abuja.
According to the him, AGN is willing to sign an MoU with NIS, to
present a platform for story lines and advocacy films that appropriately
showcase its activities in the best interest of the nation.
He noted that relevant government bodies, especially the security
institutions were yet to properly understand and utilize Nollywood as a
veritable tool in telling the Nigerian story to the world.
He added that such a gap had often led to a caricature representation
of such institutions in films because filmmakers were not familiar with
their operations.
Ejezie further said that such collaboration would make Nollywood
films viable tools in driving patriotism, selflessness and
professionalism of NIS and other relevant institutions.
“A crucial national institution like the Nigeria
Immigration Service needs to be well represented in terms of its
professionalism and competence.
“Nollywood is reputed to be the second largest film industry in the
world, and it should be well used for our narratives as Hollywood is
being used in America.
“Beside wealth creation, we want engagements that will lead to the
provision of research, equipment and personnel support for filmmakers in
telling our story,” he said.
In his remark, the Comptroller-General commended the leadership of
AGN for the courtesy visit and its robust initiative, while expressing
willingness to partner with the filmmakers.
The Comptroller-General, who was represented by Deputy
Comptroller-General, Finance and Accounts, Nurudeen Graham, said it was
ready and expecting a formal proposal from AGN to begin the process of
possible collaboration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Actors Guild of
Nigeria (AGN) is an umbrella body, which regulates and represents the
affairs of Nollywood film actors in Nigeria. (NAN)