The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) is set to release “Operation Last Dance”, an advocacy film, which exhibits Nigerian military’s gallant fight against insurgency in the North East zone of the country.
AGN’s National President, Emeka-Rollas Ejezie, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the initiative is part of efforts by the Guild, to showcase the activities of the military in the defence of fatherland through motion picture.
He noted that being a military film, the Army supplied the equipment and logistics required during the shooting of the film in Jaji and Maiduguri.
Ejezie explained that the film produced by veteran actor, Steve Eboh, will be launched at the 9th Biennial Lecture of AGN, scheduled to hold on March 11 in Abuja.
“The tremendous impact of the Nigerian military in the defence of our dear country has not really been showcased, so, the time has come for our film industry to do that.
“Nollywood reputed to be doing well globally will now bring out story lines that put the valour and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces in proper perspective, and AGN is championing that.
“The U.S has over the years, maximised the power of its film industry to tell the story of its strength and successes to the rest of the world, and Nollywood can be used to do that for Nigeria,” he said.
According to Ejezie, the biennial lecture will also feature the investiture of its National Patron as well as give awards to outstanding actors and industry stakeholders.
He noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, will be installed as a Patron of the AGN, among other Nigerians who have goodwill towards Nollywood.
“We shall be giving awards of Veteran Actor of Nigeria (VAN) to 13 veteran actors, who have contributed immensely to the growth of the AGN.
“The theme of the event, “The Strategic Role of Nollywood in the Nigerian Economy”, shows that we want to expand the strategic role we play in the economy of this country.
“We must confess that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, has done a lot for the industry in the last five years, the industry is enjoying presently a loan from the CBN, among other government initiatives.
“This is the first time AGN will be coming to Abuja to have a very big event, and our aim is also to unveil the model of the AGN National Headquarters, which will be moving to the nation’s capital.”
Ejezie said the lecture would gather industry players, investors and policy makers, to deliberate on the way forward for Nollywood.
According to him, veteran actor, Zack Orji, will present a paper on the theme of the event, “The Strategic Role of Nollywood in the Nigerian Economy”, while Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State will be the Keynote Speaker.
“The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will be AGN’s Special Guest of Honour, and the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, would be a Special Guest.
“We want our leaders at all levels and investors to sit with us, to chart a common front for enhanced contribution of Nollywood to our national economy.”
