From Debra Ajulo, Ilorin
A glimpse of hope seem to be in the horizon for the Actors Guild of Nigeria, (AGN), Kwara state chapter, as majority of members of the Guild in the state are committed to reviving the association.
Investigations by News Hub Mag! indicates that the conference of chairmen in the guild and the national executive are in tandem with this laudable move. To this end, an election into various offices has been slated for Tuesday, August 13, 2019.
Confirming this to News Hub Mag! on phone, the AGNEC chairman -the chairman of the electoral body saddled with the election- Mr. Onwurah Agility disclosed that, “all is set for the election. We have done everything humanly possible to ensure that peace and progress returns to the Kwara chapter of AGN.
The AGNEC chairman who is also a former AGN chairman for Abuja chapter and presently the Senior Special Adviser to the AGN President on international travels said, “I think we’ve done all the things that humans can do. We’ve done revalidation and people have revalidated. Like we told them only revalidated members will have the right to vote and be voted for.
“Some people have picked forms for the various positions and we are going to do the final screening on the candidates on Monday, August 12 by August 13 elections will hold.”
However, in a phone interview with the General Secretary, Mr. Onibiyo Samuel distanced himself from the election saying it is not constitutional.
In his words, “I have nothing to say about that election, because as I speak to you it is a contentious matter and I’m staying away completely away from it. However, I wish them best of luck.”
Onibiyo who is a former chairman of the Guild in Kwara state further disclosed that, “when something is not properly done I will not be a partaker of it. The constitution of AGN is very clear; no election can hold less than two months notice and this one was orchestrated within a month. Like I told you, I wish them best of luck. Posterity will judge everybody.”
Reacting, the AGNEC chairman explained that the issue of Kwara is a special case as there is no existing executive in place. He noted that the existence of factions and crisis in the state propelled the present move for an election.
He said: “Another thing that should be put on record is that the decision to hold election in Kwara was taken at a conference meeting of chairmen held in Lagos in May this year. Two factions of AGN Kwara were at that meeting and the President sent delegates to go and know what is happening and the true state of things in the state.
“When they brought the report he then said okay because of the quagmire in Kwara lets do election. All the parties come and revalidated and let’s do election so that we will have one AGN in Kwara so we can move forward. This election is primarily to ensure peace reigns in Kwara.”
Buttressing this in a phone interview, the immediate past coordinator of the Guild in Kwara state, Mr. Godwin Udemegbunam Ugwu popularly called the Oracle of AGN Kwara said what Kwara AGN needs now is peace and the way forward.
Ugwu is the CEO of one of the earliest playhouse in Kwara state, You and I Harmony Entertainment, explained that, “what artistes in the state need is not gifts or other frivolities. We need good leaders that will harmonize and bring all of us together so we can move forward. Enough of this backbiting and scheming, we need to unite.
“There is need for government and wealthy individuals to come to the aid of artistes in the state but this can all happen when we are united. The truth is that for us to compete faviourably with artistes in other parts of the country we need to get an enabling environment to operate and also a system that truly believe in us.”
Also speaking, an aspirant for the post of chairman, Chief Ajala Adedotun disclosed that his aim of contesting is to redirect the affairs of the guild towards professionalism, unity and progress.
The rebirth ambassador who spoke to News Hub Mag! on phone on Thursday lamented that, “Kwara Guild of AGN has being in comatose for too long. “Artistes come here for training and then abandon the state to seek for fame elsewhere.
“I’m not happy with this and if elected to serve Kwaran artistes on the platform of AGN I’d ensure we groom talents here and sell them to the outside world. It is wrong to import stars when the raw materials are here with us,” he said.
The chairman hopeful who is also the CEO of Moyinnet Entertainment further promised to give a level playing ground to play houses in the state noting that they are the driving force of AGN.
According to Investigations by News Hub Mag! as of 12 noon on Thursday when the deadline for collection of forms ended the following contestants had bought their forms and submited; Chief Ajala Adedotun for Chairman, Dr. Itohan Igudia for Vice Chairman, Adams Stephen for General Secretary, Princess Blessing Michael for Financial Secretary, Mrs Ifeoma Iwuchukwu for Treasurer, Taiwo Guvoeke for Asst. General Secretary, Nsikan Esu for PRO and Adeyemi Olusanjo for DGS.
