Veteran actor and the current National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ejike Asiegbu, is a total artiste that has paid his dues as far as the Nigerian entertainment industry is concerned. With a thriving career spanning over two decades, the University of Port-Harcourt, theatre arts graduate has traversed television and stage productions with his immense talent before berthing in Nollywood’s big screens as a home video actor.
In this interview, the very outspoken father of three in his early 40’s shares his dreams, vision, and aspirations for the motion picture industry with us. But despite giving the government thumbs up, the indefatigable leader who is also a pioneer actor in Nollywood is of the view that government should do more for the industry already ranked third best globally.
Enjoy the interaction!
What are your plans for AGN this year?
We thank God for giving us the opportunity to be alive and hopeful that this year will bring in some good prospects professionally and officially. It is the desire of every human being to remain focused in what he or she is doing in life and I feel we are on the right direction. But again, we might just take a stock of what we have been doing in the past as regards my vision for actors’ guild as its national president. This year, we intend to pursue all the programmes I outlined in my manifesto. In six months’ time, we intend to have a secretariat. During our inauguration last year, the FCT minister promised us a plot of land and we intend building our edifice there, which will be our National Secretariat. We are ready to work with people who would help us begin work earnestly. We are also hoping to have a liaison office here in Lagos, so that we can get work going. We chose Abuja because it is the nation’s gateway. It will also make us to be closer to government and some of their policies as regards the motion picture industry, remember we have the national assembly there. Our state chapter and liaison office will still be in Lagos.
We also want the entire system to be restructured for the purpose of professionalism and that brings us to the process of re-registration, which has started. We have also been having quarterly meetings of actors after about 11 years. We decided to make payments now through the banks unlike before that people pay directly to AGN officials. This is done in line with the anti-corruption drive of the Federal Government for probity and accountability. We now have UBA formerly STB as our official banker in all the seventeen state chapters of AGN. Part of the payment covers the insurance scheme of the actor who is always risking his life on set. Already AGN is working with a consortium of seven insurance companies; we had already signed an MOU with them and agreed to work together for the good of Nollywood. Our ID card, which used to be valid for one year, is now two years.
In what ways do you intend tackling the increasing cases of actors being involved with accidents on locations?
The insurance companies are providing group life insurance for AGN members. It covers you in cases of death or permanent disability or accidents. The least you can get in case of death would not be less than N2million. We also have N1.5m to N750, 000 and half a million Naira. All these would go according to categories of people in our classification scheme. The essence of all this is to protect our members. This insurance scheme has already kicked-off as part of my new year plan for actors.
So, what would you say are your major achievements since assuming office?
The first time AGN will use NICON NOGA Abuja for a big event was during my inauguration on June 7, 2005, with about five ministers, representatives from the presidency, among other top dignitaries, in attendance. We used that medium to launch actors guild and also send a signal to people that we mean business. Shortly afterwards, we paid a courtesy visit to the late first lady over a project we intended carrying out then. We also made her Matron of AGN and she gladly accepted.
For the first time also in the history of AGN, we visited Mr. President in Aso Rock and we were well received; for us, that was a milestone. Mr. President has listening ears. We told him that as actors we are role models to the society and made him see reasons for us to be used as ambassadors for conflict resolutions and catalysts for change. We have also been able to put a good welfare package for the actors, especially the insurance scheme. Right now, we are collaborating with NollyMedics, a group rendering professional medical services to AGN. This is the beginning of some of the good intentions I outlined in my manifesto. NollyMedics usually visits locations to render medical services.
What did you discuss with OBJ during your visit?
He was happy receiving us and even made us realize he was about inviting us before our letter came. He said that having watched most of our movies, it has become quite important that he expresses the fact that Nollywood has come to stay and that Nollywood has projected the good image of Nigeria. He said he was glad hearing we are third globally in terms of ranking but he enjoined and tasked us to leave the third for a second position and try to be patriotic in most of our movies by having the national flag in our movies and lastly in our story lines, we should always allow good to triumph over evil.
What would you say are the major challenges and problems facing AGN?
Our greatest problem is finance, we don’t have funds and that has slowed us down a lot, especially the offices of the guild. If there were to be funds, I would have finished all l outlined in my manifesto but thank God we have not been resting on our oars. Since we came on board every national executive members have been spending from their personal pockets to ensure that the guild stands. We have done a lot with our personal monies. It is so because we did not meet any money in the treasury and secondly I ordered the banning of sale of forms immediately I came into office. I did that after finding out that a lot of our members were feeding fat on that illegally. Things should be done professionally and we are out to build confidence back in the minds of our members.
Like how much does AGN need to overcome its financial challenges?
I can assure you that we need between N150 – 200 million to be able to complete all our laudable projects, especially erecting our corporate headquarters in Abuja. You won’t believe that I don’t have an office as the national president of AGN; I’m moving around and roving. I make use of one or two personal offices. Lest I forget, my administration has opened a website for Nollywood, known as www.actorsguildofnigeria.com. all information about Nollywood is stored there.
We would like you to comment on the leadership crisis rocking AGN.
Before talking about crisis in AGN, let me also inform you that my administration helped in settling the celebrated dispute between marketers and some alleged banned actors. 85% of them had been let off the hook; we are working together now as a family. The leadership crisis in AGN has been resolved; we are now a happy family.
What is your take on the MNET Doctor’s Quarters and Nollywood face-off?
The issue is that a lot has happened since my coming on board as AGN president. As an opinion moulder who believes in justice, fair play, and equity, I believe we should be able to do the right things, the right way. But because we have some greedy and conscienceless producers and fortune seekers who always want to rip off their own, they throw caution to the wind and enter into some manipulative and enslavement contracts because of their selfishness and personal aggrandizement. Some Nollywood producers working with MNET know the right thing to do but have chosen not to do it and are trying to undermine the personality status quo of the association by not doing the right thing.
How on earth can you have a South African company come into Nigeria and in collaboration with one or two producers of ours fashion out a contract that undermines the integrity of the actor and also tends to undermine the sovereignty of this country? I’m saying this because I’m proud to be a Nigerian but all these nonsense can’t happen in South Africa. It is a sad parody of experience that some Nigerians are aiding and abetting unprofessional conduct in our motion picture industry.
My guild has been denigrated because Kate Henshaw, our AGN national PRO, was criminally and unjustly thrown out of set without recourse to her personality, professionalism, and we said no to that. Their argument when we tried to mediate was that Kate was trying to form a squad and work against them and we ask how. And I told them she has a social responsibility as national PRO to ask whom and who was on her set so that she can know if they are registered members of AGN. And that was all she did and we supported it. Some said she was trying to support the director, Jimi Odumosu, who I was informed they said was slow while on set and when they told him to hasten against his professional ethics, he refused and they fired him. And Kate didn’t find that funny. How can you fire a professional director and bring a South African who is supposed to be a continuity person to replace the director? This kind of changes, affects the psyche of the artistes, besides was the new director registered with Directors Guild of Nigeria?
How about the NFC’s involvement in the matter?
It’s a case of one trying to be noticed, heard, and assume the role of what they are not. I also find it interesting and funny that NFC could stoop that low. I find their attitude very unbecoming and unfortunate, they have no right to assume the role that they have already taken. They have no legal power to act as such. I have clearly stated that the clause 10.5 of their contract papers clearly states that in case of litigation the applicable law of such action will be that of South Africa… I wrote them they refused to reply instead they rushed to NFC. I don’t know when NFC assumed the post of Attorney General for MNET? And the case is still on. It is so because MNET is currently assuming the role of numero-uno in the Nigerian motion picture industry. Isn’t that funny? Kate has not been called back; we also don’t want her to go back and she has also said she is not interested in going back.
So, how do you intend resolving the crisis?
MNET should come back to the drawing boards. First, is that they should pay AGN some particular fees before coming into Nigeria and also consult us. They came in through people who are not members of the association. They didn’t write AGN neither did they write NANTAP. It is tantamount to criminality… And I still insist that NFC has no legal jurisdiction to interfere in this crisis. I’m vocal and will continue to be on issues that bother on human rights and those bordering on our intellectual property. People from outside can’t dictate to us on how to run our industry. I don’t like people being one sided on issues. We have been deprived, depraved, domesticated and pauperized to docility. It’s about time we are respected and issues bordering on payments and royalties taken good look at. We can’t labour in vain for people or be used by people for their own selfish aggrandizement.
With your busy schedule as national president, do you still act?
Yes, I do, but once in a while. But I’m yet to act this 2006. It is important and relevant that I act because one has to maintain and sustain as an actor.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
As somebody who has put in 26 years in the industry from TV to stage and movie, the kind of legacy I want to leave behind is that I want to see a better industry and part of the re-structuring of an industry that would rank among the best globally. I want to leave behind a legacy where people would be proud of being actresses and actors. A legacy that would be sustainable and lead to capacity building and help us remain focus and professional. A legacy that generations yet unborn would remember and say that people like us laid the foundation for the industry to be a better place.
Do you have the intentions of running for a second term in office?
I do not have such plans; I can assure you I will quit when my tenure expires in 2007 and move up to some other things. I won’t say much now till I’m ready. I want to accomplish between 80 or 90% of the promises I made in my manifesto and by the grace of God, it will surely come to pass.
In terms of support and assistance, do you think the government is doing enough for Nollywood?
We have a president that listens and very much interested in Nollywood, we thank God for that. He has promised to do everything to motivate us so that we can lead. Also Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Frank Nweke, has shown his love for Nollywood and we are really grateful. Even Hon. Minister for Culture and Tourism, Franklin Ogbuewu, has also shown us love and appreciation. Government through its agencies are really collaborating with us. Even Mr. Emeka Mba, DG NFVCB, is giving us lots of support. Having said all these, government should also ensure that we meet from time to time to discuss how to move the industry forward. We also need corporate bodies to partner us so that we can be a source of major revenue for this country in no distant time. In essence government should do more for Nollywood.
There are side talks that you are a dictator in office. How true is the allegation?
I find these allegations against my person and office funny because most Nigerians are lazy. Some of them want to eat their cake and have it, while some don’t want to work and others take things for granted. A leader needs authority to get things done but some would misunderstand that to be dictatorial and autocratic, it’s unfortunate. I have an open door policy that can be verified. People saying this are disgruntled elements trying to cast unnecessary aspersions, they are never-do-wells. I have my records and they speak for me, so I can beat my chest and walk tall. I have pedigree; I was a former Student Union President in charge of over 17,000 students at University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. I also worked with Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, as personal assistant, public relations. I’m a servant of the people and would always do my best to get their job done; of course, I don’t also expect that all will love me.
Do you have plans of venturing into partisan politics in the nearest future?
Certainly yes, but won’t say much till the time comes.
In your own views, what is the best way to maintain professionalism in Nollywood?
Professionalism can be maintained in Nollywood when members are disciplined, starting from all guild heads. We should also thank the movie marketers who are daily investing their billions for maintaining and sustaining the tempo. Let us work together so that we can understand ourselves. I have advocated for a common contract and that is the only way the industry can be taken seriously by all and sundry. This common contract should be binding on all guilds making up Nollywood. Proper structures should be put in place.
What motivates and drives you?
God, I believe in him so much.
We would like to know more about your background?
I have a lovely wife, Ogechi; we are blessed with three beautiful children, our first daughter is six our set of twins (boys) are four this year. We are from Umuahia North LGA of Abia State. I had my primary education in the East before the civil war. I’m above 40, but was born in Makurdi, Benue State; dad still alive and mum late. I’m from a family of six; two boys and four girls, one of them late. Being the son of a civil servant, we kept moving round the federation on transfers. I’m a theatre art graduate from Uniport and majored in directing and trained under late Prof. Ola Rotimi. I also played football to the division level in Enugu before my dad stopped me. Also, most people did not know I was a member of Things Fall Apart on TV then.
Which was your first movie in Nollywood?
Can’t remember but Gabosky’s Nneka the Pretty Serpent in ’93, was among my earliest movies.
First published, February 2006.
Culled from Azuh Amatus’ best selling books, FAMOUS FACES…
