The Ibinabo Fibersima led Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) yesterday in Owerri hosted the veterans in the guild to find a way forward for the guild which has recently suffered due to leadership tussle.
Speaking during the meeting, the AGN president hailed the contributions of the veterans toward the growth of the industry and promised to work with them to see that the goals of the present leadership are achieved.
Ibinabo who promised to improve the welfare of members of the guild especially the veterans, said that accountability will be her watch word and at such proposed an online payment system for the guild’s dues, where members can make payments as well as check the financially status online.
She further stated that gone are the days when anybody can walk into the association to register, proposing a new method where prospective members will pay a screening fee of N5000 in their various states and only those who will make it through the screening can join AGN.
Responding to the president’s speech, the veterans pledged their support to her administration, promising to do whatever they can to see that the administration stands.
Vitalis Ndubuisi who was among those that spoke urged her to continue on that part and also do everything in her power to carry everyone along.
“You are the president of those who voted for you and those that did not vote for you. Make sure everyone is carried along in your administration, and see that the meeting with the veterans is not something that will be for only today, but something that will be happening regularly” he said.
Mr Ndubuisi lamented on the lack of liaison offices for the guild in various states and urged Ibinabo to use her good office to see that the wisdom tapped from the veterans is put to good use.
Speaking to www.otowngist.com after the event, the National Vice President South-East, Barr Ikechukwu Ezenagu, said that the aim of the meeting was to meet with the veterans and know the challenges they face, stating that when the elders are taken good care of, the guild will progress.
“They give good fatherly advice when they are taken care of. They are very relevant in the industry because we need their wisdom to succeed” He said.
He however hailed the courage Ibinabo Fibersima has shown so far, saying that she has the heart of a lion.
He however played down the African theory of always having men on top, saying that he does not find it difficult to work with Ibinabo as his president.
Ibinabo Fibersima in a chat with www.otowngist.com after the event said that there is no longer anything like factions in AGN and the meeting has really paved a way for the building of the new AGN that will take them to the promise land.
“The special thing I have to make this work is the love I share, the love I give, the love that is leading all of us now and there is a good structure now in AGN, so I don’t think anybody will be walking away”
She played down the question that the veterans cannot cope with the online payments and registrations system she is introducing, saying that she is sure all of them use internet on daily bases.
She was optimistic that the meeting has achieved its goal on seeing everyone together and happy.
“After this meeting we shall be going to other zones until we must have met with everybody we are supposed to meet. AGN is one and there is nothing like factions again” she added.
Also speaking the chairman of Imo State chapter of AGN, Mr Conac Umez Chibueze expressed joy for the fact that Imo State has been chosen for the venue of the meeting attributing it to the contributions of Imolites towards the growth of Nollywood.
“Imo State provides 80% of Nollywood stars and we also own the highest paid star in the country”
Conac hailed the vision of the Ibinabo Fibersima led administration of AGN and urged the veterans to support her so that AGN can attain the height they all wish for it.
“We at Imo State are in support of her administration right from day one and if every other member of AGN can do the same, there is no way this administration can fail” He added.
Ibinabo addressing the veterans
Ibinabo with Ugo Stevenson