The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Ike, has called on the Federal Government to look into the utilisation of the N3 billion Nollywood Intervention Fund.
Speaking with newsmen on Saturday, October 8, in Yola, Ike alleged that the money was “hijacked by a cabal” putting the film industry at a disadvantage.
Ike disclosed that the few people who benefited from the fund were buying houses in Abuja and Lagos state, forgetting to invest any of it back into the industry.
He also claimed that majority of the 247 actors alleged to have been trained at the cost of N899 million abroad from the fund, were untraceable.
“What the cabal do is to bring faces for Mr President; that’s what they did in the last administration, they are scavengers, and I am begging us here today to expose them.”
Ike encouraged the government to relate directly with associations withing the film industry such as AGN, ANTP and Kannywood, instead of individuals.
The AGN president who was in Adamawa to participate in a programme organised by the state Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, to encourage youth on self-reliance, said that the film industry if well funded, has the potential to boost the Nation’s economy.
Ike assured that he would work hard during his tenure to address the issue of sexual harassment as well as all forms of indiscipline and exploitation in the film industry.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate