As Anambra State 2017 governorship election gradually approaches, members of the Nollywood Igbo Movie Industry have resolved to throw their weight behind Governor Willie Obiano’s re-election bid.

This was made public on Friday at the state capital Awka where critical stakeholders and executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Nollywood gathered to brainstorm on the veritable means of revitalising the dwindling fortunes of Igbo language films in the South East region.

The Igbo socio-cultural group in Nollywood known as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Nollywoo (ONN), a well recognised association widely celebrated in the Nigerian creative community for championing the course that gave birth to Igbo movie channel on DSTV Africa Magic, also called on Ndi Anambra to support Obiano for a second term.

Speaking at the forum, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Nollywood, Ogbuefi Comr. Eze Harris Chuma (Ogene Ndigbo) extolled the good virtues of Obiano, stating that he remains the only Governor in the entire South-East region who has the interest of Igbo language film makers at heart.

According to Chuma, “Governor Willie Obiano has demonstrated profound commitment in developing the innate talents of thousands of youths, men and women in Anambra creative community. It is on good record that Chief Willie Obiano’s government has invested hugely on training and retraining of Igbo film makers both at home and in the Diaspora. He has continued to patronise the film industry with a mandate to making Anambra State next to Hollywood. His Excellency Gov. Willie Obiano is the best Governor Anambra has ever produced, one who loves and supports the entertainment industry, and committed to developing the right infrastructures for the thriving film business in the state. Little wonder, Anambra in recent times has become the hub of movie makers and artistes, with hundreds of movie productions being produced yearly.”

Chuma said that Anambra State Government under Obiano welcomed the proposal for the establishment of Anambra Film Festival and Awards, a platform designed and created by a group of Igbo film makers in the state for the celebration of Igbo language films, film makers, movie stars and distributors.

“The inaugural edition of this epochal event has been slated to take place in the second week of August, 2017. The event will attract national and international film makers, artistes, film lovers, dozens of entertainment journalists, and crème de la crème in the Nigerian entertainment industry.”

Chuma further called on Nollywood practitioners of Igbo extraction to rally round Obiano as he works relentlessly to reawaken quality entertainment in the state. “The forthcoming Anambra Film Festival (AFF) will bring together people from all walks of life in celebration of all Anambra born entertainment gurus, movie stars, and film makers alike. Therefore, all hands should be on deck to ensure that Governor Willie Obiano is re-elected. We are optimistic that His Excellency will fulfil the promise of building an ultra modern film village in the state next year. Let’s unite in support of Gov Willie Obiano’s second term bid,” said Chuma.

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