By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Comrade Don Onyenji, has reaffirmed Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s passion and commitment to developing the state’s creative industry.
Onyenji made the declaration during a historic roundtable with creatives in the state, held at the Ministry’s Conference Hall at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat in Awka, Anambra state capital.
Themed “The Anambra Creative Industry: Solutions and Prospects,” the meeting was the first of its kind convened by the state government to bring together practitioners and stakeholders from across the state’s creative ecosystem.
The gathering attracted a wide spectrum of practitioners and representatives drawn from different groups and sectors of the creative industry, including filmmakers, musicians, DJs, visual artists, journalists, writers, comedians, skit makers, social media influencers, content creators, and entertainment entrepreneurs.
Addressing the creatives at the event, the Convener, Commissioner Onyenji acknowledged the interdependence of the various sectors of the industry, stressing the need for unity and collaboration to further advance their creativity and move Anambra more forward in the positive light. He reminded participants that the creative economy is now globally recognized as one of the largest employers of labour, rivaling agriculture, and stated that Anambra must take its rightful place in the national and international scene.
“Governor Soludo is very passionate about this sector. It is captured in his manifesto, and he has continued to demonstrate that passion through practical support. The creative industry has taken a global position. Even at the federal level, a full Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has been created. The potentials here are enormous, and our job is to unlock them for our state and our people,” Onyenji said.
Speaking further, he highlighted the outstanding delivery of the Solution Fun City opening earlier in the year, which featured an unprecedented lineup of artists and comedians, all coordinated by homegrown talents from Anambra without external support.
“That single event proved that our creatives have the capacity to deliver at international standards,” he noted.
The Commissioner also reminded participants that Anambra holds a proud place in Nigeria’s creative history, being the cradle of Nollywood, where pioneers of the groundbreaking film Living in Bondage first set the pace.
According to him, “With the kind of visionary leadership we have today, we cannot but do the best and be the best we can.”
“This government will continue to provide the enabling environment while encouraging self-organization and collaboration within the industry,” he assured.
Onyenji, a veteran journalist, further emphasized the need to regulate and standardize the sector, register guilds and associations with the Ministry, and build platforms that would allow creatives to control their narratives and positively brand Anambra. He noted that the state’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s safest destinations must be reinforced through deliberate storytelling by content creators, filmmakers, entertainers, and media practitioners.
He hinted at the Ministry’s plans to partner with guilds and networks under a new umbrella, tentatively termed “Destination Anambra”, which will serve as a rallying point for practitioners across different creative fields. He also assured that the government is already mapping out upcoming events and would continue to engage the industry as part of its tourism development agenda.
In their separate remarks, some other speakers at the roundtable, including veteran Nollywood actor and Special Adviser on Entertainment, Leisure, and Tourism to the Governor, Hon. Dr. Bob-Manuel Udokwu; and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Mr. Christopher Molokwu, shared insights on the challenges and opportunities within the industry and urged fellow creatives to leverage the support being provided by the Soludo administration to reposition Anambra as a hub for innovation and cultural excellence.
The round table also featured interactive session, experience sharing, contributions and suggestions from the participants and practitioners, who applauded the initiative and called for regular engagements of this kind. Many also expressed optimism that the Soludo government’s focus on the sector would open new opportunities, empower youths, and further project Anambra as the “Light of the Nation” through the creative economy.
Aside creating communication and networking platforms, participants at the meeting also resolved to strengthen collaborations across their different sectors, with the Ministry pledging to sustain the dialogue and ensure that the foundation laid would translate into measurable impact for practitioners and the state at large.
More photos from the event:
