By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Edo State chapter Chairman of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Derek Igbinakenzua, has reiterated his desire to build the capacity of its members to enable them function efficiently.
Igbinakenzua made the statement at a business luncheon/investiture of patrons and award night with the theme:” From Set To Screen,” Benin City, Edo State.
He said the future belongs to prepared producers, producers who understand structure, business, distribution, and global standards.
” As Chairman, I want to clearly state our focus going forward: capacity building. Talent alone is no longer enough. The future belongs to prepared producers, producers who understand structure, business, distribution, and global standards. That is why, starting next year, capacity building will be our major priority.
” By the grace of God, January will mark the beginning of structured trainings, master classes, and industry engagements designed to equip our members for growth, sustainability, and market access. We are building producers, not just projects.
” To our newly inducted members, welcome to responsibility, discipline, and opportunity. You are now part of a family that believes in professionalism, unity, and continuous learning,”
The keynote speaker and the Managing Director of ITV/ Radio, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, tasked the executive producers and the newly inductees to package themselves. He also urged them to monetize the content of their movies.
Engr. Obaseki who said he spent 10 years in Nollywood before he went to his profession as Engineer, said the major employers of labour in Nigeria, is the Nollywood industry.
Obaseki advised producers to stay away from politics to enable them guide and protect their reputation.
” I want to believe that most of the young producers inducted understand what it takes to be a film maker from the angle of being the one that sources for the fund and employs people.
” I produced more than 20 movies when I was in Nollywood. An industry that contributes as at today about 2.3 of Nigeria GDP. We are talking about almost 1.3 trillion, employing more than 4.2 million Nigerians is not an industry you will take for granted.
” According to the National Bureau of Statistics projection, by 2028 Nollywood led by AMP. There are eight guilds in Nollywood but you need to understand that AMP is the most pivotal,” he added.
In his remarks, the Father of the day, Chief Paddie Okao, said if the association of movies producers failed, the industry fail entirely.
Okao, said AMP should be proud of themselves because they contributed about 2.3 to the GDP of the Nigeria economy. He thanked the organisers of the event and urged the patrons to contribute to the association.
Also speaking, one of the patrons, Chief Omoruyi Akpata, told AMP not to wait for the members of the public to appreciate them, but they should appreciate themselves.
Akpata who is the Managing Director of Lushville Hotel and suites said they should single out those among them that have contributed to the association and honour them. He said from Benin City, Edo State, they will conquer the world through film.
The occasion also witnessed awards presentation and induction of new executive producers into the association.
