Directors' Guild Of Nigeria Inducts New Members

By Perekeme Odon

The custodian of the film art of Nigeria, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) formally admitted 60 successful filmmakers who excelled at 2018 - 2021 screening exercises into its professional fold. 

 

The ceremony held on January 27, 2021 at the DGN National Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos endorsed the inducted directors into the film-making Guild at various levels of associate and full membership.

Before the commencement of the event, a minute silence was observed for the repose of the souls of the industry’s dearly departed practitioners especially Chico Ejiro, Jim Lawson Maduike, Dan Nkoloagu and Ernest Asuzu.

 

Mr. Matthias Obahiagbon, the first President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria and Chairman, DGN Screening Committee presented the inductees before the President, Olorogun Fred Amata for induction and orientation.

 

In his opening remark, the President welcomed the newly celebrated inductees who came from all parts of the country and informed that; “This is an auspicious event that has traditionally carried out almost in the same time as the DGN Annual Conventions / DGN Annual General Meeting which usually leads to the DGN presidential election”.

According to Olorogun Amata, “Induction is the process for welcoming newly admitted work-forces and supporting them to adjust to their new roles and working environments. As inductees, you’re entitled to the rights and privileges of the Guild of elites and intellectuals in the hierarchy of production where the director is the head of creativity”. He stated.

 

He furthermore reminded them on working hard on their behalf and prompted them to be of exemplary character at all times. “We are here for you, and we will be responding to your needs. I want to remind you that the Guild is here to protect you. DGN is the custodian of the film art of Nigeria and we pride ourselves in that". 

 

The President compassionately proclaimed to them that, “Our members are top professionals in their fields, united in a belief in standard working conditions, compensation, and benefits. I emphasize the need for commitment. As members, you must abide by the rules of membership by your job description, legal and ethical responsibilities according to the constitution by development needs; and also engage in continuous professional practices in the area of specialization, to keep pace with current global standards of the profession”.

Mr. Adasa Cookey & Olorogun Fred Amata

The Directors’ Guild of Nigeria founded in 1999 represents numerous practitioners of media professionals across 36 states, including the FCT in Nigeria and the diaspora who work in film and digital motion pictures, television programs, commercials, video games, corporate/educational and non-broadcast productions, new media, television, and radio news outlets. The prestigious Guild conducts screening exercises for eligible membership twice a year while induction is sacrosanct to the AGM and electoral processes that ushered in a new administration to steer the affairs of the Guild for the next two years.

As the coronavirus situation evolves globally, the President advised members to be cautious and help provide some safety stability in these difficult times. “While the days ahead may seem cloudy with COVID-19, safety measures should strictly adhere at all times. We should all be comforted in knowing that our work will continue to be high in demand by billions around the globe. All of the creations you’ve worked on are so necessary to entertain and will provide relief to so many. We hope you and your families remain safe”.

(l-r) Chief Chidebe, Olorogun Amata, Uche Agbo & Pere Odon With Female Inductees

 

Amb. Cynthia Agbo Ijeoma an inductee thanked the guild on behalf of her colleagues and said, “ It is an honour to be a member of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria. In the hierarchy of film-making, directors are the pilots of the aircraft. We are not going to disappoint you, but to bring the global attention here”. She advised her fellow inductees “film-making is a collaborative business and not a one man show”.

 

Another inductees from the Benin Zone, Dr. Eriamiantoe Osaigbovo told his fellow members that they are now wearing a very big shoe. “I thank God for making my dream come true as I am very filled with anxiety and excited to be here after a few years of trying. I will abide by the rules and develop my art and crafts in film-making through the Guild.  We are not going to disappoint you wearing your shoes. Though it’s going to be difficult at the beginning, but as time goes on, we will adjust as our feet grow bigger”.

 

The President wished the new members a safe trip back to their various destinations; but charged them to be good ambassadors and embrace the challenges of being a member of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN).

A Cross Section Of The Inductees

Present at the event include Chief Mac Collins Chidebe, Vice President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, Mr. Uchenna Agbo, DGN National Secretary, Mr. Tony Akposheri, DGN Director of Finance, Mr. Perekeme Odon, DGN PRO, Mr. Victor Okhai, Mr. Yinka Akanbi, Mr. Famous Otakponmwen, Nigerian prolific video director and entrepreneur, Mr. Adasa Cookey (Inductee) and members of the press.

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata Addressing The Inductees

DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata Addressing The Inductees

(Sitting l-r) Chief Chidebe, Olorogun Amata, Uchenna Agbo & Pere Odon With Male Inductees

 

(l-r) Chris Umana, Collins Aharanwa, Eazzy Ologe, Rev. & Mrs.Ernest Maduka, & Friends

Christopher Nnodim Iheuwa & President Fred Amata

(l-r) Chukwudi Ejiofor, Ifeanyi Chimeh & Saheed Apampa

The Inductees Taking An Oath

President Fred Amata Flanked By female Inductees

President Fred Amata & Etim Patrick Hogan

Oath Taking By The Inductees

(l-r) Etim Hogan, Mr. Famous Otakponmwen, Mr. Victor Okhai, Gold Dappa & Saheed Apampa

Gold Dappa W. & President Fred Amata

Eric Stephenson & President Fred Amata

A Cross Section of Inductees

(l-r) Chief Collins Chidebe, Rev. Ernest Maduka, Olorogun Amata & Mrs. Ernest Maduka

(l-r) Chief Chidebe, Dr. Akposheri, Olorogun Amata, Matthias obaihiagbon & Uche agbo

Amb. Cynthia Agbo Ijeoma & President Fred Amata

Dozie Godwin Igbo & President Fred Amata

 Dr. Eriamiantoe Osaigbovo & President Fred Amata

Mr. Saheed Apampa & President Fred Amata

Cosmos O. A Abasi & President Fred Amata

Mrs. Titilayo Akinmoyo & President Fred Amata

Collins Aharanwa & Olorogun Fred Amata

Cletus Clement & President Fred Amata

Prince Apex Chukwuemeka & Olorogun Fred Amata

Chukwudi John Ejiofor & President Fred Amata

The Inductees In A Pose With The DGN EXCO

Love Best Ogie & President Fred Amata

Etim Patrick Hogan & President Fred Amata

Prince Daniel & Olorogun Fred Amata

Mr. Uzozie Nonso & President Fred Amata

Mr. Otoho Ekopima Isaac & President Fred Amara

Mr. Ajalaja Stanley & President Fred Amata

Mr. Iwegbue Shadrack Osereme & President Fred Amata

Libby Ofem-Oke & President Fred Amata

Chinedu Igbokwe and President Fred Amata

Ifeanyi Olishe Chimeh & President Fred Amata

Mr. Peter Abel Okorie & President Fred Amata

Mr. Chris Umana & President Fred Amata

Rev. Ernest Anenechukwu Maduka & President Fred Amata

DGN EXCO In A Pose With The Newly Inductees

(l-r) Mrs. Ernest Maduka, Mr. Dozie Igbo & A Fan

Mr. Umeli Henry Chinoso & President Fred Amata

Mr. George Deegha & President FredAmata

Fikmmaker Eazzy Ologe & Rev & Mrs. Ernest Maduka

Dr. Eriamiantoe Osaigbovo Thanking The Guild For The Induction

Amb, Cynthia Agbo Ijeoma Delivering A Thank You Speech

Ekwedike Emeka Emmanuel & President Fred Amata

Gentle Encourage & Amb. Cynthia Agbo Ijeoma

Uche Leonard J. & President Fred Amata

Chinweze Okechukwu & Presidwnt Fred Amata

Shire Nwachukwu Andrew & President Fred Amata

Cyril Udubrakpor & President Fred Amata

Olorogun Fred Amata & A Fan

(l-r) Perekeme Odon, DGN PRO, Adasa Cookey & Ifeanyi Chimeh

A Cross Section Of Inductees

DGN POSTPONES NATIONAL CONVENTION AND ELECTION

By Perekeme Odon

 

The Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) general election, which was due to be held on Friday, January 29 2021, has been postponed.

 

In a statement released on Saturday, January 23 2021, the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria Electoral Committee (DGNEC) Chairman Barrister Tunji Bamishigbin, informed the Guild the postponement of the election to the first week in March 2021 due to concern outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the burial of Chico Ejiro and other logistical complications.

 

1. Draft a new timetable for the election and post same here on the platform.

 

2. Present the list of screened candidates and positions.

 

3. Publish list of voting members.

 

4. Present the modalities for the upcoming Presidential debate, Manifestos presentation and question(s) that you may wish to send to us for possible consideration at the debate.

 

The notice conversed by the DGN Electoral Committee (DGNEC) escalated internal anxiety amid an already tense political environment. Despite the tensions caused by the delay, the electoral committee now has the opportunity to rectify flaws and deliver a more credible election.

 

All candidates who had been duly screened in the first round of nominations will remain part of the pool of candidates eligible for election.

 

The DGNEC also advised members with suggestions or appeal(s) to kindly write to them via its official email address, dgnec2020@gmail.com.

 

The committee thanked the members and urged them to be confident in the coming days ahead; and promised a very credible election everyone shall be proud of.

 

Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Mourns Chico Ejiro

By Perekeme Odon

It is with grief filled sadness that the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), expresses deep sympathies and condolences to the Nigerian entertainment industry and the family of our enigmatic friend & colleague of the guild, Director Chico Ejiro, aka (Mr. Prolific) who passed away on December 25, 2020 at the Age of 57.

 

Chico Ejiro

Over the centuries, history has witnessed the achievements of great individuals who left an indelible mark in the world with their ingenuity, courage and service to mankind. Filmmaker and entrepreneur Chico Ejiro must sit among these great individuals.

 

Chico was easily the most impactful of the avant-garde filmmakers who walked the creative passageway in the late 80s and early 1990s squeezing water out of stone to achieve success; and birth the phenomenal Nollywood.

 

He had an uncannily astute and alert mind that provided simple practical solutions and actualisation to ideas, events, projects and businesses. A gift he readily shared with all he encountered to proffering solutions, building millionaires, making star actors, filmmakers and businessmen that reflect in all the major institutions in Nollywood. 

 

His #29 Bank-Olemoh Street office was a haven for filmmakers drawn to the easy charm, genuine compassion and opportunities that provided Chico Ejiro to build lives, careers and legacies.

 

He will be remembered as one that negotiated the path of never-before-seen film-making in the face of no budget to pursue justice, expression, profitable freedom and aspirations for other handicapped filmmakers.

 

Today, as many unknowingly reap from the fruits of his enigmatic models making international standard productions, DGN mourns this irreplaceable loss. The legacies of Chico Ejiro will continue to serve as inspirational reference points in the face of no budget films and the evolution of Nollywood.

 

Surely we must mourn Chico Ejiro's death. Yet the inevitability of death means that... We must celebrate his life!!!

 

DGN is collating tributes and testimonies from all he encountered and inspired. Please send your tributes with your name and contact details to dgnnigeria@gmail.com

 

A condolence register has been officially opened to mourn the late Chico Ejiro at the DGN Secretariat; #15, Simisola Street, Off Olufemi Street, Off Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos state.

 

May his creative soul Rest in Perfect Peace.

 

Olorogun Fred Amata

President

Directors’ guild of Nigeria  (DGN)

DGN South-South Coordinator Ogunbiyi Pays Courtesy Visit To The President

By Perekeme Odon

On November 24, 2020, the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria President, Olorogun Fred Amara received Dr. Samuel Ogunbiyi, DGN South – South Coordinator at the DGN National Secretariat, Surulere, Lagos state who paid him a courtesy.

Dr. Samuel S. Ogunbiyi

The Coordinator whose visit to Lagos was strictly official, but stopped by to discuss matters that are purposed to strengthening the relations between the National and the Zones; and also offered him the opportunity to interact with members of Lagos Zone.

 

The President while receiving him said, the relationship between Zones and National was already strong therefore his visit to the National Secretariat was to make the relationship between the two stronger.

(l-r) Mr. Kingsley Omoefe, Dr. Samuel Ogunbiyi & President Fred Amata

“There is already Cooperation between us but we need to cooperate more, there is already collaboration between us but we need to collaborate more, we have strong mutual agreement but there is always room for improvement”, the President added.

 

The Coordinator who was delightfully and sumptuously treated in his reply thanked the President and said, “This is the sure way that will guarantee our relevance and trust from members and the public. I want to use this opportunity to call on all zones and members to work in harmony with one accord to assure a better tomorrow for the Guild.

(l-r) Dr. Samuel Ogunbiyi, President Fred Amata & DGN PRO, Perekeme Odon

Convoyed the coordinator was Mr. kingsley Omoefe, former Vice President of DGN whom both attended the official movie premiere of "On My Honour" at Genesis Cinema, Lagos; a movie directed by Dr. Samuel Sunday Ogunbiyi, assisted by Thomas Obi and produced by Kingsley Omoefe starring Fred Amata, Joseph Momodu, Tony Akposheri, Sunny McDon W, Norbet Young, Ijeoma Richard, Ronnie Dikko, and many more.

(l-r) Dr. Samuel Ogunbiyi, President Fred Amata & Mr. Kingsley Omoefe,

Directors’ Guild of Nigeria Postpones DGN@20 Anniversary

By Perekeme Odon

The Directors’ Guild Of Nigeria (DGN) is built on the notion of bringing creative minds together through film, television and new media. It also serves to protect the interests of all members of the directing team.

 

In an effort to follow the latest government advice on Corona-virus (COVID-19) that all productions and workplaces should incorporate the latest guidance from the Federal, State and Local Authorities in order to minimize the possibility of virus transmission, DGN is taking all precautionary measures. 

The DGN@20 Anniversary Celebration scheduled for April 23rd-25th 2020 in FCT, Abuja has been postponed and a new date will be announced. We are incredibly grateful to our Grand patron, patrons, partners, sponsors and volunteers; and we look forward to working together in the coming months.

The DGN President instructs all members to cease filming, cancel non-critical group meetings and conform to Government’s directives in combating the Corona-virus pandemic. All Zonal Chairmen are to ensure that Zones adhere to all Isolation and Lock-down directives according to their States. 

The DGN Secretariat has been shut down and all Guild activities suspended indefinitely. Members of the Executive committee will however continue to work from home through the Internet.

The President, Olorogun Fred Amata stated that, “DGN is conferring with public health authorities, other Guilds and Associations to gather information as the situation continues to evolve, and we will continue to reassess plans and communicate accordingly.”

Health and Safety continue to be our top priority. Members and colleagues, specifically those that attended last week’s AMVCA should observe strict procedure processes of good hygiene, self isolation and report any apprehensive health issues to NCDC on 08097000010. 

While the days ahead may seem cloudy, Covid-19 as reports have shown is not a death sentence. People recover. Brace yourself and boost your immune system. Stay healthy. Stay at home.

We will weather this storm together!!!

Perekeme Odon

Public Relations Officer (PRO)

Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN)