Yesterday, we received a delegation of Nollywood practitioners led by Mr. Francis Ifeakandu, who is currently working on a film, "The Chronicles of Enyimba."
I commended their resilience, creativity, and dedication to producing a film project that seeks to showcase the rich cultural heritage, history, and development of Abia State, especially Aba, our Enyimba City. The initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of promoting investment, tourism, and economic growth through the creative sector.
While government may not directly sponsor private film projects, our administration remains committed to providing the enabling environment and support required for the growth of the entertainment and creative industry. I assured the team that our support remains available, and we will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure initiatives that promote Abia and create opportunities for our people to succeed.
Drawing from my own experience as a movie producer in the 1990s, I understand the challenges and opportunities within Nollywood. That is why we are actively pursuing plans to establish an Entertainment City in Abia, a world-class hub for filmmakers, creative professionals, and investors. Processes such as land acquisition and compensation have already commenced to bring this vision to reality.
I appreciate Mr. Ifeakandu, his team, and other Nollywood stars who accompanied him and for their efforts in telling Abia’s story to the world. The project, featuring over 2,000 cast members and structured into six seasons, will not only restore Abia’s prominence in Nigeria’s movie industry but also generate employment and attract investment.