Fred Amata at The Guardian, promises a better DGN

The president of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Fred Amata, has assured practitioners and lovers of Nollywood that his administration would ensure that the guild is properly structured for better performance.

Amata, who recently paid a courtesy call to at the Rutam House, Headquarters of The Guardian Newspapers in Lagos, expressed the determination of his team to take the guild to the next level.

Accompanied by some members of his executives, the DGN president informed that team was at The Guardian to solicit for media support in their effort to restructure the guild in the interest of practitioners in particular and the country in general.

“On February 26, we had our yearly convention, where I emerged as the president of the guild. On April 8, we were officially inaugurated as the exco with the mandate to move the guild forward. DGN was set up to regulate the practice of movie directing in Nigeria, as well as take care of welfare of members. As the leaders of the guild, we are ready to get down to work,” he said.

Within few weeks of his administration, Amata informed that his team has identified some areas that needed to be worked on for the betterment of the association.

“We know the influences the guild can have in the growth and development of Nollywood and we have resolved to look into such areas; we need to restructure. Today, Nollywood is recognised all over the world as a phenomena, but for it to attain full potentials, a lot is vested on DGN to take it to the next level.”

He lamented the usual misunderstandings among practitioners in Nollywood, which he said is responsible for lack of development in the industry, assuring that his administration would do everything possible to achieved peaceful coexistence among practitioners.

“Sometimes, the industry is handicapped by a lot of court cases that have done nothing but set Nollywood back. However, we are lucky that DGN, over the years, has enjoyed some level of peace and understanding, unlike what is obtainable in some other guilds. But we are here today to let people know that we are ready to chart a favourable future for all,” he assured.

On the controversial Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPICON) bill, which has sharply divided the industry, Amata, who is a member of the committee set up by the Federal Government to look into the bill, described it as a needed document to regulate the industry.

“In DGN, we believe MOPPICON bill is the way forward to the future of the industry. New filmmakers have come up with new film styles, but the practice needs to be protected. Nollywood has built more individuals, but not institutions, which is responsible for the crises we have today as a result of ego. On the other hand, we need to deal with the issue of pornography, which is gradually creeping into the industry. The bill will help deal with issues like this,” he said.

On the allegation that the bill is targeted at stifling filmmakers, Amata said, “I’m part of the committee and we’ve looked into the whole documents; there’s no place it talked about stifling practitioners. We believe that greater powers should be given to NCC and other agencies to fight piracy. If we can fight piracy and do proper taxation, it’s enough to build this industry.”

However, he noted that one area that most practitioners are not comfortable with is the issue of jail term for offenders.

“As much as practitioners are free to practice, there must be limitations and code of ethics to regulate the practice. All the recommendations have been put together and will be sent back to the government. For me, this is the bill that will take us to forward and not backwards,” he said.

In his effort to structure DGN, the Amata-led team has begun the process of creating zonal offices, aimed at empowering filmmakers in the grassroots.

“One of the things we have in mind is to structure the guild and we’ve started by setting up zonal offices across the country. We’ve set up Asaba Zone, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Benin, Akwa-Cross and Jos zones. On July 28, we will be inaugurating the Lagos Zone and after that, we go to Benin, Jos and all other zones.”

In his response, the Editor of The Guardian, Abraham Ogbodo, who received the team in company of other top Guardian management, commended DGN for their initiative, urging them to carry all members along in their activities. He also assured the guild of the support of The Guardian in promoting Nigeria’s culture through films.

“It’s commendable that you are trying to build institutions and not individuals. If you are able to achieve that, in the end, it will be in the interest of Nollywood. The Guardian as a media organisation in committed to the development of our culture and tradition, which you represent. Anything that it takes to advance public interest is our concern,” he assured.