Ajaere Emerges Movie Producers President, Pledges Reforms

LAGOS – Mr. Mykel Paris Ajaere has emerged as the National President of Association of Movies Producers (AMP).

Mr. Ajaere was elected in a keenly contested election that took place at the Association Secretariat – 16, Bassey Ogamba Street, Sururelere, Lagos on Saturday, August 30, 2020.

He polled a total of number of 25 votes to win his opponent, Mr. Peace Anyian Osigwe who scored 13 votes in the election which was strictly conducted under the guidelines of social distancing by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control s(NCDC) and Lagos State Government.

The election was however conducted, both physically and virtually, while members of the state chapter watched on zoom and also cast their votes.

Others that emerged at the election include Mr. Ifeanyi Ezekwe as the National Secretary, Roseya Okwolithe – Vice President, Wisdom Nwankwo – Public Relations Officer (PRO), Opeyemi Olusanya – Treasurer and Chioma Rose Ukeaja as the Financial Secretary.

In his acceptance speech, the National President said his tenure would be an all inclusive, with a view to transforming the Nigerian Nollywood industry as an Outstanding Biggest Black Film industry.

Ajaere, however, reels out his ten point agenda which include rebranding the association secretariat to become a hub for producers and to be a befitting place, equipped with modern information technology that would enable a digital space to host virtual meetings, conferences and data base of AMP members, including payment of dues online.

The new executive also aimed at bringing together all aggrieved members with a view to unified and bring producers under one umbrella, amend the constitution and establish regional Vice President and various committees.

He added that, “we are also going to create welfare packages for our members, which includes health insurance, pension scheme, also brokering a Nollywood film industry finance scheme between AMP and Central Bank of Nigeria for more flexible terms to receiving loans.

“The loan is specifically for our members to draw and boost production funds at single digit interest, also, creating film fund which would be stipulated by the national film policy, to also engaged other stakeholders to fight piracy and organised film festivals and to also used my international contact to repatriate our royalties in French speaking countries and other African Countries.”

Mr. Ajaere also paid glowing tribute to the elders, brothers and sisters of the association who have passed while he also expressed sadness that when practitioners are sick or die, the guild and associations stampede for money to settle hospital bills or to bury such practitioner, saying, ” I want to assure everyone that things would change for better.

“I also want to assure our members that the Nollywood industry is going to witness tremendous transformation and growth during my tenure.”