As African film-makers in the
diaspora, the onus is on us to channel our creative ingenuity in a manner that
is both artistically and financially beneficial to all. That is why we,
independent film producers from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Guinea,
Gambia, Kenya, South Africa and other African nations, have come together under
the umbrella of UK Nollywood Producers Guild (UKNPG) to have a common and
united association.
The name ‘Nollywood’ is a reflection of the strength of the
idea started in Nigeria; that has become so powerful that it has now come to
encompass the entire continent of film-makers.
The official inauguration was
held at the historic buildings of the British Houses of Parliament, in
Westminster.
It had in attendance Jeremy
Lefroy, the MP representing Stafford, the event’s Sponsor and Chair; Jim
Shannon, the MP for Strangford; Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Minister for Culture,
Education & Welfare, representing the Nigeria High Commissioner; Brigadier
General G Oyefesobi, Defence Advisor at Nigeria House; the Guild’s new Matron
and Co-Chair of the Event, Michelle Akintoye of BritAfrique; the Directors of
Nollywood Movies TV, Dipo Winsala and Alfred Soroh; David Somerset,
representing BFI – the British Film Institute; the Directors of Talking Drum
Entertainment, Dapo Oshiyemi and Moses Babatope; popular Promoter and supporter
of Nollywood, DJ Abass Tijani; Reverend George Hargreaves, whom was decorated
as the Guild’s Patron; the President of Hendon Rotary Club, Michelle Adeyinka;
and a host of others, under the President, Ruke Amata, a founding member of the
Association of Movie Producers Nigeria (AMP) and the Directors Guild of Nigeria
(DGN).
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Entertainment