Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has been officially confirmed as the Patron of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), the umbrella body representing directors in the Nigerian film and television industry.
Founded in 1999, the Guild has played a key role in shaping Nollywood, now recognized as the world’s second-largest film industry. Its 25th anniversary celebration, held in Uyo alongside the Akwa Ibom Entertainment Week, provided the platform to announce the governor’s confirmation.
In a statement on Friday, DGN’s Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Eyaba, said the announcement was made during a special dinner in honour of a Guild delegation in the state.
Speaking at the event, Governor Eno urged directors to prioritise mentorship for young talents, warning that Nollywood risks losing its audience to foreign competitors without deliberate investment in capacity building.
> “Let the industry understand that your power is in your multiplication. The more we see the people you have mentored, the stronger Nollywood will become,” the governor said.
He specifically tasked the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of DGN, Moses Eskor, to explore ways of engaging indigenous stars to guide and inspire upcoming professionals.
The governor also unveiled plans to expand the State Creative Academy into a Creative Village, which he described as a hub for training, innovation, and empowerment of young people in the creative sector.
> “If we really want to empower our young people, we should have a Creative Village where the Academy would be a component,” Eno added.
DGN President, Uche Agbo, presented an award to the governor, recognising him as Champion and Patron of the Guild, and commended his investment in the creative industry, including the appointment of Guild members as aides in entertainment and cultural development.
Also in attendance were the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anietie Udofia, who praised the state’s serene and culturally rich ambience for attracting DGN’s anniversary celebration; Nollywood actress Ebenezer Eno, who thanked the governor for his support; and the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment, David Sergeant (Utang Akwa Ibom).
By formally adopting Eno as its Patron, the Directors Guild of Nigeria has cemented a partnership with Akwa Ibom State that is expected to boost Nollywood’s sustainability through mentorship, capacity building, and cultural promotion.
