Dr Anyaso Applauds Aba Made Film Project Flags Off as Stakeholders Hail Cultural Revival
Dr Anyaso Applauds Aba Made Film Project Flags Off as Stakeholders Hail Cultural Revival
Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso (OFUJI GLOBAL), Chairman of CADEES Group, says the Aba Made Film Project The Chronicles of Enyimba City celebrates Aba’s cultural heritage, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Anyaso, who chaired the occasion, stated this on Saturday at the Aba Town Hall during the official flag-off of the project.
According to him, the initiative will showcase Enyimba City’s legacy of innovation and tradition while promoting local narratives, cultural tourism, and youth empowerment.
He explained that the objectives and appreciation of the project align with Abia State’s vision of harnessing creativity for socio-economic growth and job creation through arts, culture, and tourism.
Anyaso added that the project aims to rekindle the potential of the movie industry as a tool for social re-engineering and restore Aba’s place in the history of Nollywood as a cradle of entertainment.
Anyaso thanked the Executive Governor and Brand Ambassador of the project, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, and the Abia State Government for their support.
He expressed hope that the project would produce a compelling narrative of Enyimba City that boosts community pride and contributes to Abia’s cultural renaissance. He urged private citizens to join hands with government in investing in the Nigerian creative economy for the benefit of future generations.
As the audience awaited Governor Otti’s official flag-off of the project, Anyaso encouraged attendees to enjoy the day’s activities.
He further noted that Governor Otti’s leadership continues to inspire the people. Dr Chima Anyaso further appreciated dignitaries at the event, including Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, represented by Mrs. Olewengwa, commending him for championing progress in Abia South. Other dignitaries included the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the Mayor of Aba South LGA, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, and the Keynote Speaker, Chief Bob-Manuel Udokwu.
Governor Otti during the event unveiled plans to establish an entertainment village in the state to reclaim Aba’s historical position as the “Cradle of Entertainment” in Nigeria.
He vowed to transform Abia into a thriving hub for creative enterprise while improving infrastructure, including constructing two five-star hotels in Aba and Umuahia.
Reaffirming a promise made in his manifesto, Otti said: “We are about to start the Abia State Stadium Village. It has a games village and an entertainment village. It is meant to be in Umuahia, but we can discuss bringing it to Aba. I want the best for this industry.” He also applauded the resilience of the entertainment sector, noting Aba’s historical role as the birthplace of Nollywood’s early commercial distribution network.
In their goodwill messages, Senator Abaribe (represented), Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, and Dr. Chima Anyaso praised the producers of the Aba Made Film Project and commended Governor Otti for rewriting Abia’s story for the better.
Earlier, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, described the project as a catalyst capable of restoring Aba to its former glory. He expressed optimism that the initiative would spotlight the city’s cultural heritage and vibrant economic landscape, thanking Governor Otti for advancing the creative economy.
In a keynote address titled “Elevating Abia’s Image Through Cinematic Excellence,” Nollywood icon Bob-Manuel Udokwu said the project is a strategic cultural, commercial, and creative initiative with the potential to enhance Abia’s image, stimulate economic growth, and reposition the South-East. He lauded Governor Otti’s visionary leadership and expressed confidence in the team’s capacity to build a world-class film village.
Nollywood star Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), speaking on behalf of other artistes, commended the Otti administration’s infrastructure revolution and thanked the Governor for keeping his promises to the industry.
He assured that they would continue to represent Abia well in their professions.
The event also featured a synopsis of The Chronicles of Aba, presented by the Project’s Technical Director, Dr. Prospect Nlemchukwu.