AGN unveils 200-acre Nollywood Project, health scheme in Delta
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Delta State chapter, has unveiled plans for a 200-acre Nollywood development project and introduced a health insurance scheme for members as part of efforts to transform the state into a major creative industry hub.
The initiatives were announced on Saturday by the newly inaugurated chairman of the guild in Delta, Mr Kevin Oghogho Uvo, during the inauguration of the chapter’s new executive council and commissioning of its secretariat in Asaba.
Goddy Simon, Asaba
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Delta State chapter, has unveiled plans for a 200-acre Nollywood development project and introduced a health insurance scheme for members as part of efforts to transform the state into a major creative industry hub.
The initiatives were announced on Saturday by the newly inaugurated chairman of the guild in Delta, Mr Kevin Oghogho Uvo, during the inauguration of the chapter’s new executive council and commissioning of its secretariat in Asaba.
The event brought together prominent Nollywood practitioners, traditional rulers, government officials and other stakeholders, including veteran actress Ngozi Ezeonu and actor Yul Edochie.
Uvo said the 200-acre property, acquired with the support of the King of Agbor and Hon. Rita Daniels, would be developed to create new opportunities for actors, filmmakers and other practitioners while strengthening Delta State’s position in Nigeria’s film industry.
“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 new chairman also announced a health insurance scheme designed to improve members’ access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden of medical expenses.
He said the initiatives formed part of his administration’s broader agenda of improving welfare, empowerment and professional opportunities for actors, particularly young practitioners, women and other vulnerable members of the industry.
Uvo urged the Delta State Government to pay greater attention to Nollywood and the wider creative economy, arguing that the industry remained a major source of employment and economic activity.
“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.
The chairman also disclosed partnerships with the Delta State Ministries of Science and Technology and Energy, saying the initiatives would expose actors and other creatives to digital skills required to navigate artificial intelligence and other technological changes transforming the industry.
He said the new executive would work to make the Delta chapter a model for other AGN chapters through improved welfare, professional development and stronger engagement with government and industry stakeholders.
The inauguration also marked the formal assumption of office by the new executive council, with the National President of AGN, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu Sanusi, administering the oath of office.
Sanusi described the occasion as a celebration of “excellence, unity and purpose” and commended members of the Delta chapter for conducting what he described as a democratic and professional election.
He urged Uvo to reach out to all contestants and members who took part in the election, stressing that reconciliation and unity were essential to the success of the new administration.
“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,” Sanusi said.
He added: “There is no winner here. Actors Guild of Nigeria is actually the winner of this election.”
Sanusi charged the new executive to implement the national leadership’s five-point agenda and position Delta as the foremost AGN chapter in the country.
He reminded the new leaders that leadership was not about occupying a position but accepting the responsibility to serve members.
“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,” he said.
Uvo also described the AGN as the “mother guild of all guilds” and pledged to build an administration that would prioritise the welfare and professional advancement of members.
He said the guild would remain non-partisan but would support individuals who demonstrated genuine commitment to the interests of its members and the creative industry.
The commissioning of the new secretariat in the heart of Asaba was another major highlight of the event.
Uvo described the facility as a permanent institutional base for the guild and a significant milestone for the Delta chapter.
“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.
The King of Igbuku Kingdom, Dr Isaac Erube Uvo (Ozu II), prayed for the new chairman and urged him to justify the confidence reposed in his administration by taking the guild to greater heights.
He also called for the implementation of the promises made to members of the Delta chapter.
With the proposed 200-acre project, new secretariat, health insurance scheme and technology-focused partnerships, stakeholders expressed optimism that the new administration would move the Delta chapter beyond routine guild activities and establish it as a stronger institutional force within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving creative economy.
