DGN NIGERIA

Tuesday, 26 January 2021

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.

Saturday, 26 December 2020

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)

Tuesday, 24 November 2020

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,

Wednesday, 25 March 2020

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)

Tuesday, 24 December 2019

Ooni of Ife, Fred Amata Salutes Mo Abudu Historic Studio Opening

By Perekeme Odon

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II paid a civility visit to the Nigerian talk show queen, media mogul, billionaire filmmaker, and CEO of EbonyLife TV Mosunmola 'Mo' Abudu, who finally opened her newly accomplished multi-billion Naira Ebony Life Studios positioned at highbrow Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, in the heart of Lagos State, Nigeria.

(l-r) Rykardo Agbo, Ooni of Ife, Deyemi Okanlawon, Seyi Law, Mo Abudu, Fred Amata & Ralph Nwadike

The exciting and fanfare visit that saw the Ooni convoyed by the President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, Olorogun Fred Amata and other dignitaries took place on December 23, 2019, at the EbonyLife Studios, VI, Lagos.

The CEO EbonyLife TV and first African to chair the International Emmy Awards Gala, Mo Abudu welcomed everyone present and shared how excited she was to have such a befitting personality and Royal Father in her studio.

A Cross-Section of Filmmakers

The harbinger of the first syndicated daily talk show on the continent “Moments With Mo” in 2006 started the evening with a tour around the five-story edifice alongside the Ooni of Ife and his cortege that lasted about an hour.

“It is my overwhelming desire to welcome our distinctive and amiable Royal Father, the Ooni of Ife, whom I adulate so much. This project is not a one person’s dream or job but a collective effort. I believe everyone here is going to have a thrilling and delightful time while it last.” She declared.

The studio, which has various cinema halls and other important film making facilities, including a 20 bedroom hotel is Africa’s first Black Global Outfit; Mo Abudu has conserved her place and prominence as one of the top filmmakers in Nigeria.

(l-r) Olorogun Fred Amata Prince Tunji Aderibigbe & Mr. Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey

The President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Olorogun Fred Amata commended the EbonyLife boss and said, “This is a laudable venture embarked upon by a woman of excellence often referred to as “Africa’s Oprah”. I admire her drive for flawlessness and prominence: and also wish her all the best.”

In 2014, she started EbonyLife Films, which has created the three highest-grossing films in the history of Nollywood. The outfit has established an exclusive partnership with DSTV for the distribution of her content across Africa though the Ebonylife TV channel.

In 2018, EbonyLife announced a three-series scripted deal with Sony Pictures Television, followed by an agreement with another major US studio to develop an African science-fiction TV series. Mo has furthermore shot three films earning close to a billion Naira with the world acclaimed movie distributor, Netflix.

(l-r) Olorogun Fred Amata, Ooni of Ife, Mo Abudu & Deyemi Okanlawon

The Grand Patron of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria and Imperial Majesty of Nollywood, Ooni of Ife and his train were treated to sumptuous assorted snacks, hors d'oeuvres and choice wines. This followed by a hilarious and entertaining blockbuster social-media-driven political satire movie, ‘Your Excellency’, produced by Mo Abudu and directed by Funke Akindele-Bello starring Akin Lewis, Funke Akindele-Bello, Kunle Coker, Seyi Law, Deyemi Okanlanwon, Helen Paul, Alexx Ekubo, etc.

The star-studded funny and touching movie signifying a barrel of laughs from every angle as it shows how politics and social media are shaping Nigerian society in equal measure, by way of they poking fun at Nigerian politics and society at large with the story of a bumbling, billionaire businessman and three-time failed presidential candidate, who becomes a credible contender when his dance moves and gaffes ignite social media.

Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II

The Ooni acknowledged the magnificent headway of Mo Abudu in raising the bar of the Nigerian movie industry with what he had seen on the ground. “We should give honour to whom honour is due. EbonyLife Place is amazing with a hardworking woman that built if from ground zero. She has never been disrespectful and we are happy with her success stories.

With the core values of team spirit, boldness, innovation, and vibrancy that define them, EbonyLife Media will continue to be the go-to source of dynamic, original, quality content that celebrates the beauty of Africa and enjoys creating captivating contents that will tell the African story from a fresh and positive African perspective to the world.

A Cross-Section of Filmmakers and Guests

Present at the event is Director of Business School, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr. Prince Makinde, HOD Public Health, OAU, Ile-Ife, Prof. Olapeju Adefunke Esimai, DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata, AMP President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike, NFVCB Board Member, Mr. Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, DGN Treasurer, Dr. Tony Akposheri, Rykardo Agbo, Seyi Law, Deyemi Okalanwon, Iyabo Ojo, AVOA President, Ngozi Ogbonna Onye, DGN PRO, Mr. Perekeme Odon, Prince Tunji Onochie Aderibigbe, Uche Iwuji, Mr. Franks Oite, and other dignitaries.