– By Ifesiokwu Greg
Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, OON, has charged the Delta State Chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to intensify efforts towards attracting the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) to Asaba.
The monarch gave the charge when he received a delegation of the AGN Delta State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Prince Kevin Ughogho Uvo, during a courtesy visit to his palace in Asaba.
Asagba Azinge described Nollywood as one of Nigeria’s greatest cultural exports, noting that the Nigerian film industry has continued to project the country’s culture, creativity and entertainment to audiences across the globe.
He expressed concern that despite Asaba’s strategic importance to the Nigerian movie industry, with an estimated 70 to 85 per cent of films produced in Nigeria reportedly filmed in the city, the AMVCA ceremony has continued to hold in other parts of the country.
The monarch stressed that Asaba deserved greater recognition for its contributions to the growth and development of Nollywood, urging the AGN Delta State Chapter to take the lead in advocating for the city to host a future edition of the awards.
“Nollywood has become one of Nigeria’s greatest exports, and Asaba occupies a significant position in its growth story. If such a substantial percentage of Nigerian films are produced here, then there is a compelling reason for Asaba to be considered as a host city for the AMVCA,” he said.
Nna Agu reiterated that the rebranding and repositioning of Asaba remained one of his major aspirations for the kingdom, adding that peace was a critical foundation for attracting investment, tourism and sustainable development.
He urged members of the guild to rise to the occasion and work collectively with relevant stakeholders to promote Asaba as a leading destination for entertainment, film production and major industry events.
The monarch also commended Nollywood actors for their resilience, creativity and commitment to the industry, observing that acting requires considerable dedication, discipline and passion.
“Movie acting is not for the faint-hearted. It takes a great deal of dedication, discipline and passion to succeed in the industry,” Asagba Azinge stated.
Addressing content creators and social media influencers, the monarch cautioned against the deliberate portrayal of Asaba in a negative light for online traffic and engagement. He urged them to exercise responsibility in their content creation, stressing that the reputation of the kingdom should not be sacrificed for social media popularity.
He warned those who deliberately sought to demean the name and image of Asaba to desist from such practices, emphasizing the importance of promoting the city’s positive identity, cultural heritage and developmental prospects.
“Asaba will always bless,” the monarch affirmed, expressing his commitment to protecting the dignity and reputation of the kingdom.
Asagba Azinge further commended Prince Kevin Ughogho Uvo for his leadership of the AGN Delta State Chapter and his demonstrated commitment to the interests of Asaba. He acknowledged the chairman’s consistent show of affection and support for the kingdom whenever the need arose.
Nna Agu further offered prayers for Prince Uvo and members of the guild, expressing confidence that Asaba would continue to bless and support those contributing to its growth and development.
Earlier in his remarks, the AGN Delta State Chairman, Prince Kevin Ughogho Uvo, expressed appreciation to the Asagba and the entire Asaba community for their continued support, hospitality and goodwill towards the Nigerian film industry.
He attributed much of the industry’s productivity in Asaba to the peaceful and welcoming environment the city provides, noting that the community has remained an important partner in the growth of Nollywood.
Prince Uvo also highlighted the economic significance of the Nigerian film industry, describing it as a major exporter of entertainment and a contributor to the nation’s economy. He cited an estimated annual gross domestic product contribution of about $1.5 billion, underscoring the industry’s potential to generate employment, stimulate investment and promote Nigeria’s cultural identity.
He emphasized that Asaba had become synonymous with Nollywood production, noting that the city’s contribution to the industry made it an indispensable part of the Nigerian filmmaking story.
The AGN chairman explained that the visit was also intended to seek the royal blessings of the Asagba and to appreciate the monarch for his developmental initiatives and leadership since ascending the throne of his forebears.
The visit underscored the enduring relationship between the Asaba traditional institution and the entertainment industry, as well as the growing ambition to position Asaba not only as a major centre for film production but also as a destination for prestigious entertainment events such as the AMVCA.
With renewed calls for greater recognition of Asaba’s contribution to Nollywood, the proposed hosting of the AMVCA in the city could further strengthen its profile as an entertainment hub, create economic opportunities and advance the monarch’s vision of rebranding Asaba for greater national and international prominence.
