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By Young Erhiurhoro, Warri
Urhobowood Int’l, a popular film/movie organization based in Ughelli town, Delta State has ended her 2020 film festival and exhibition event with a call on both the federal and state governments to promote the local film industry in Nigeria.
The yearly event, which took place in the ancient and historic palace of the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, drew together ‘who is who’ in politics, business, academic and the entertainment industry in the country and the event lasted for three days showcasing different cultural and social activities.
In his welcome address on the second day of the event, which featured workshop, exhibition and film show at the Ughelli Guest House, leader of the film organization, Amb. Dr. (Chief) Joseph Udusan Orekereke, popularly called ‘Lord Mayor,’ who is also the CEO of Jorek Development Company in Ughelli, implored the federal and state governments to develop and promote the young potentials in the film industry, especially those in the rural and local communities across the country to bring out their beauty and prowess in film acting.
His words: “The Nigerian film industry is a great economic hub to the nation if only our government can give it the needed attention it deserves, especially at this critical period when the country is facing a lot of challenges ranging from Covid-19 pandemic, #EndSARS protests and the recent ravaging flood.
“This sector of our economy is being neglected by every government of this country when many of our talented youths with the potentials of film acting and production are crying for helpers and promoters.
“This film organization is primarily established to showcase the rich culture of the Urhobo people through film making and production. Secondly, we are not just limited to the Urhobo people alone. Our major objective is to catch our youths with these great potentials in the entertainment industry and train them as actors and actresses.”
The Olomu young chief and grassroots politician said, “Therefore, we are calling on the Delta State government especially the ministry of culture and tourism to give us support to enable the organization achieve its goals and objectives. In the same way, we are appealing to the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), business partners in the entertainment industry and our great men and women to rally round the group in order for us to produce movies. We are also calling on the Nigerian Film and Censor Board, marketers and producers in the film industry to support us in producing and marketing our movies,” he said.
Addressing guests and dignitaries during the grand finale held in the king’s palace, the monarch, HRM, Dr. Wilson Ojakovo, Oharisi III, the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom who was the royal father of the day thanked the members of the Urhobowood Int’l for always organizing the film festival on yearly basis.
The traditional ruler who was represented at the event by a crowned prince in the royal family, Prince Ughelli Oharisi Excel also tasked Urhobo traditional rulers to give the needed support to the Urhobowood Int’l as the group was doing a great job of promoting and protecting the culture of the Urhobo people from possible extinction. Prince Ughelli however prayed for the film organization to overcome all its challenges.
In the same vein, the guest of honour in the occasion, an Ughelli North Local Government Area chairmanship hopeful in the 2021 local government elections in Delta state, Chief (Amb.) Scott Udu, applauded the selfless services being rendered by the Urhobowood Int’l to promote and protect the Urhobo culture from extinction. He also thanked the group for discovering and developing the potentials in our youths in the film industry.
His words: “I must thank and appreciate the Urhobowood Int’l under the able leadership of Dr. Joseph Udusan Orekereke for doing this great job for the Urhobo people. In fact, this is one of the reasons why I’m vying for the position of chairman of Ughelli North LGA in the forth-coming local government elections in the state. I promised to promote and support this film organization when I finally emerge as the chairman of the local government council after the elections. More importantly, my individual or personal support won’t be enough, compare to when I’m in government.
“As Urhobo people, we must give the necessary support to this film organization to enable them come to national and international recognition. This is how the Igbo and the Yoruba nations started and today now, they are enjoying it. We are indeed grateful for the Urhobowood Int’l to place the Urhobo nation in the map of the Nigerian film industry. Let me also say this, the film industry in Nigeria is a big labour employer in the country. We should as individuals, government and corporate organizations invest in it for its economic benefits and to also create employment opportunities for our teeming youths in the country especially across the Urhobo nation.”
However, the three-day event ended with award presentations to deserving Urhobo actors and actresses in the film and entertainment industry across the country. Among those that were presented with the different awards were Emmanuel Ogheneochuko, Warri Kris Edafe, Oluku Kesiena, Goodluck Ufuomanefe Stella, Prince Ughelli Oharisi Excel, Inaya Favour Nice, Rev. Johnbull Orukomenor, Mrs. Stella Onotasah Udin and other distinguished personalities across the Urhobo nation and the entire Delta State.
