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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia Government said it is planning to establish an entertainment village in line with Governor Alex Otti’s promise of transforming the State into a thriving hub for creative enterprise and entertainment.
This is even as notable Nollywood actors and actresses stormed Abia State at the weekend to take part in the unveiling of a film project in Aba, the state’s commercial hub.
Governor Alex Otti disclosed this in Aba at the weekend while flaging-off the Aba Made Film Project, titled “The Chronicles of Enyimba City”.
Otti said by pursuing the entertainment village project, his Government would have at the end, not only reclaimed Aba’s historical position as the “Cradle of Entertainment” in Nigeria, but also aggressively improve infrastructure, including the construction of two five-star hotels in Aba and Umuahia.
“So, the only issue now is that we are about starting the Abia State Stadium Village. It’s a village in itself. It does have a games village and an entertainment village.
“It is meant to be in Umuahia, so, we’ll have to discuss whether we want it in Aba. We can detach it from the Stadium City and then bring it to Aba. I want the best for this industry”.
Otti applauded the resilience of those that have made the entertainment industry thick, especially its contribution to the long history of creativity associated with Aba, noting that Aba remains the birthplace of Nollywood’s early commercial distribution network.
The Governor disclosed that before the end of this month, reconstruction work will start at Enyimba Hotel, with similar work to began at Abia Hotel, Umuahia, adding that on completion, the two hotels will be five star hotels.
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He reassured the film project team of his administration’s continuous support.
A veteran Nollywood actor, Mr Bob-Manuel Udokwu in his address
titled; “Elevating Abia’s Image Through Cinematic Excellence”, described the Aba Film Project as a strategic cultural, commercial and creative initiative that goes far beyond filmmaking.
Noting that Nollywood has achieved a lot over the years, rating it the third largest in the world after Hollywood and Bollywood, Udokwu said the Aba film project has the capacity to boost Abia’s image, stimulate economic growth, and reposition the entire South-East region.
The Nollywood actor lauded Governor Otti’s visionary leadership, noting that the combined expertise of the team is capable of building a world-class film village in Abia State, which would serve as a permanent cultural and economic asset.
Mr Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) who spoke on behalf of other Nollywood stars, commended the infrastructure development of the Governor Otti-led administration.
He thanked the Governor for his love and commitment for the entertainment industry in the country.
The producer of the project Francis Ifeajandu (Anaedo), thanked Otti for keeping the promise of supporting the project he made to him years before he became Governor.
He said the best was yet to come for the entertainment industry in Abia and the country at large.
The event was graced by galaxy of Nollywood stars including
Nkeiru Slyvanus, Joyce Kalu, Uche Elendu, and Dr Prospect Nlemchukwu, the project’s technical director.
