The newly elected executive council of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Delta State chapter, led by Mr. Kevin Oghogho Uvo, was on Saturday inaugurated in Asaba with a promise to reposition the chapter as the foremost in the country.

The inauguration, which attracted top Nollywood practitioners, traditional rulers, government officials and other stakeholders, also witnessed the commissioning of the guild’s new secretariat in the heart of Asaba.

Among those who graced the occasion were veteran actress Ngozi Ezeonu, actor Yul Edochie and other prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

The National President of AGN, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu Sanusi, who administered the oath of office to the new executive, described the occasion as a celebration of “excellence, unity and purpose.”

Sanusi commended members of the Delta chapter for conducting what he described as a democratic and professional election.

“Delta State members have proven why Delta remains the hub of filmmaking in Nigeria. You have demonstrated what love and a united front can produce,” he said.

He congratulated all contestants in the election, stressing that the guild, rather than any individual, was the ultimate winner.

“There is no winner here. Actors Guild of Nigeria is actually the winner of this election,” he said.

The AGN president charged Uvo to reach out to all contestants and members, build bridges and unite the chapter.

He also urged the new executive to implement the national leadership’s five-point agenda and make Delta the most outstanding AGN chapter in Nigeria. NigeriaGovernment News

According to him, leadership is not about occupying a position but accepting the responsibility to serve.

“The position is not in the name; it is a challenge and a task to serve. You have been entrusted to come and serve, so please do your best and make Delta the foremost chapter in Nigeria that everybody must be envious of,” Sanusi said.

Speaking after his inauguration, Uvo declared that his administration would usher in a new era of development, welfare and empowerment for AGN members in Delta State.

He described the Actors Guild of Nigeria as the “mother guild of all guilds” and appealed to the Delta State Government to give greater attention to Nollywood and the wider creative industry.

“Nollywood is one of the biggest employers of labour in Nigeria and has a significant impact on the economy of Delta State.

“We therefore want the government to take the creative industry, and Nollywood in particular, even more seriously,” he said.

Uvo said his administration would focus particularly on young actors and actresses, women and other vulnerable members of the industry.

Read Also: 2027: Obi, Seriake’s aides clash over threats to NDC’s fortunes
He promised to create better opportunities and welfare packages for practitioners, adding that the new leadership was determined to make the Delta chapter a model for others.

A major highlight of the chairman’s address was the announcement of the acquisition of 200 acres of land in Delta State for Nollywood development.

Uvo said the land was acquired with the support of the King of Agbor and Hon. Rita Daniels.

Describing the development as a major breakthrough, he said the project would create opportunities for practitioners and contribute to the growth of the entertainment industry in the state.

“This is a major development, and we want everyone to be part of it. It will create opportunities and contribute greatly to the growth of our industry,” he said.

The chairman also announced the inauguration of the chapter’s new secretariat in Asaba.

He described the facility as a landmark achievement for the guild, noting that it would provide a permanent base for the activities of AGN in the state.

“Today, my president, we are inaugurating this state-of-the-art facility here in the heart of Asaba. This is a landmark achievement for the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Delta State,” he said.

Uvo further said the new administration had introduced a health insurance scheme to improve members’ welfare and ease the burden of rising medical costs.

He also announced partnerships with the Delta State Ministries of Science and Technology and Energy, saying the initiatives would provide actors and other creatives with digital skills needed to adapt to artificial intelligence and other technological changes.

Uvo said the guild was not a political party but would support individuals who genuinely supported its members and the creative industry.

The King of Igbuku Kingdom, Dr. Isaac Erube Uvo (Ozu II), prayed for his son and urged him to take the guild to greater heights while calling for the fulfilment of promises made to the Delta chapter.

The inauguration ended on an optimistic note, with stakeholders expressing hope that the new leadership would strengthen AGN and further establish Delta as a major hub of Nigeria’s film industry.