By Theresa Moses
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) stands at a defining moment in its history. With Nollywood gaining global attention yet still wrestling with welfare challenges, standardisation gaps, and structural needs, the Guild requires leaders with vision, competence, and compassion.
One name resonates strongly in this leadership race: Ambassador Ifeoma Okeke-Ozzoude. With over 28 years of dedicated service to Nollywood, she has become a trusted voice, a strategist, and a bridge-builder—qualities the Guild urgently needs at its national secretariat.
A Visionary with a Practical Agenda
Amb. Ifeoma is not entering the race with empty promises but with a clear roadmap for reform and growth. Her agenda includes:
- Developing a permanent Abuja headquarters to centralize AGN operations.
- Introducing a standard contract format to protect actors and guarantee transparency.
- Advocating for full insurance cover for actors working on set.
- Enforcing fair remuneration across all categories of actors.
- Establishing an AGN tabloid to tell the Guild’s stories and promote its members.
- Launching exchange programs with other FIA members, UN agencies, and WIPO.
- Creating training and retraining programs across all zones.
- Driving AGN film projects in state chapters to discover and nurture new talent.
“This is not just an agenda—it is a blueprint for Nollywood’s future,” she asserts.
Welfare at the Core
Beyond structures and policies, Amb. Ifeoma’s heart beats for the welfare of actors. Her mission is clear:
“To foster unity and love among our members while creating opportunities for engagements, empowerment, and supportive programs for their advancement.”
She is particularly committed to strengthening The AGN Foundation, a safety net for ailing and incapacitated members.
A veteran actor, reflecting on her commitment, remarked:
“If there’s one thing about Amb. Ifeoma, it’s that she never abandons her own. She has always been the shoulder you can lean on. That’s the kind of secretary we need.”
Integrity, Innovation, and Trust
Described as loyal, hardworking, transparent, and innovative, Amb. Ifeoma embodies the qualities of a modern leader. Her colleagues call her a result-oriented strategist and a self-motivated administrator—one who always puts the Guild’s interest before personal gain.
These personal attributes, combined with her extensive industry experience, make her an outstanding candidate capable of carrying the weight of responsibilities across AGN chapters nationwide.
Beyond Nollywood: A Global Outlook
Her vision extends beyond local reforms. She has pledged to work with:
- The United Nations and other agencies to strengthen Nollywood’s global relevance.
- WIPO, to secure royalties and intellectual property rights for Nigerian actors.
- International networks, to establish exchange and twinning programs that will open doors for Nigerian actors abroad.
This foresight ensures that Nollywood actors are not only recognized at home but respected on the global stage.
Why She Deserves It
At a time when Nollywood is being celebrated worldwide but its actors still struggle with welfare and professional dignity, the AGN needs a National Secretary who is strategic, empathetic, and globally minded.
Amb. Ifeoma Okeke-Ozzoude has the track record, the heart, and the blueprint to lead.
As one young actor put it:
“We don’t just need a secretary; we need a visionary who will fight for us. Ifeoma is that person.”
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