Posted by By Bridget Chiedu-Onochie on
FOR movie stars and those who have distinguished themselves in the entertainment industry, who are yet to be honoured or recognised, a major attempt at getting this done is on the way, as an encyclopaedia titled Who's Who In Nigeria Entertainment, is set to do just that.
FOR movie stars and those who have distinguished themselves in the entertainment industry, who are yet to be honoured or recognised, a major attempt at getting this done is on the way, as an encyclopaedia titled Who's Who In Nigeria Entertainment, is set to do just that.
Frank Ikegwuonu, an arts enthusiast based in Canada, authors the book, which will be launched soon.
The concept, which was initiated by the Management of Urbanmingles Entertainment Media Group and Multi-Health Pharmaceutical Limited, has received the endorsement of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, Association of Movie Producers, Directors Guild of Nigeria and other stakeholders in the entertainment industry.
Ikegwuonu, who disclosed this plan at a press briefing held last Thursday at the office of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Iganmu, Lagos, said, "the idea behind such move was to promote and project Nigerian's great potentials abroad, appreciate Nigerian heritage, creativity, resourcefulness and cultural values as well as give those who have contributed to the growth of the industry through talent and creativity their rightful place among their counterparts in other countries of the world."
He stated that the project, which is tagged "Vision 2010 project", is geared towards harnessing every available information technology in order to exceed the international standard of biographical information exchange.
His words: "We are the entertainment powerhouse of Africa, the most popular industry in Africa, the fourth in the world with the most affordable valued commodity, the only thing that was needed to recapture the lost glory and overdue respect at the international community was a transparent vision, and that vision is "Vision 2010 project'."
Speaking further, he emphasised that by 2010, "Nigerian arts and entertainment stakeholders hidden and visible, active and inactive, able and physically impaired any where under the sun would be identified and listed in the entertainment central database which is designed to act as a hyperactive for exchange of information.
"It will also be useful in the monitoring of piracy, Internet censorship, film classification systems, entertainment contracts, transparency in their award copyright infringement and violation among others."
He added that by 2010, over 3000 stakeholders would have been celebrated, officially identified and listed in the encyclopaedia, making it the first of its kind in Africa and the second in the world.
It was also disclosed that the collaboration of Urbanmingles Entertainment Media Group, (the principal actor in the project) and Multi-Health Pharmaceuticals Limited (their lawful partners) has given birth to the design development and implementation of the first Nigerian Entertainment Central Database, www.nigeriaentertainment.com.
The author also used the occasion to solicit the support of stakeholders, organised private and corporate sectors, art association and practitioners, government agencies through sponsorship, exchanged adverts, publicity and financial support to make Nigeria proud and to enable its people compete actively at the international level.
Who's Who In Nigeria Entertainment is a compendium of all the major players and the most influential personalities in the entertainment industry including those who have retired from active performance.
Its Board of Trustees comprise of Agha E. Ozoh of Multi-Health Pharmaceuticals Limited, Remy Ohajianya, Executive Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria (Lagos state), Aremo Tope Babayemi, Executive Director, Different Aesthetics Arts and Culture Management, Lagos. Others include Prince Ifeanyi Dike, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Actors Guild of Nigeria and Frank Ikegwuonu of Urbanmingles entertainment Media Group, Canada.