ABS Film Academy: Setting the pace for state media houses

ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU, reports that the first and best film academy by any state owned media house in the South-East, Nigeria if not in the entire federation has been opened in Awka for academic activities by Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Awka, with thirty (30) Students.

The ABS Film Academy offers a three month course where students are taught everything internationally obtainable in creative industry including professional film making, scriptwriting, animation, acting, cinematography, make up, graphic design, broadcast journalism, film editing, Editing and journalism among others.

Declaring the academy open, the Rector of the Academy/Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the ABS Nze Uche Nworah said the Academy is in line with Governor's interest in promoting Creative Economy which he added to his blue print as part of his second term development agenda.

He announced that the best graduating student of the ABS Film Academy would be sponsored for further studies at the New York Film Academy for three (3) months courtesy of an American based development partner an sponsor, adding that he has nursed the desire to open the film Academy since 2014.

Nze Nworah explained that students are admitted with a token amount since Governor Obiano has subsidized the fee to make it affordable for Ndi Anambra, even as he urged the pioneer students to take the opportunity given them since it is the first in the South East zone.

In a goodwill message, the Managing Director of Rockland Development Company, Ltd, Mr. Obi Ene encouraged the students to aspire to create movies that will help place Anambra on the map. He donated the sum of one million Naira (N1m) to the academy.

As well, a Nollywood actor/Member of ABS Board, Mr. Bob Manuel Udokwu, urged the students to believe in themselves, be creative in whatever they do and pursue their dreams and aspirations diligently for excellent result as the creative industry has made many in Nigeria and beyond. He pointed out that many who are successful in the industry are not only those in front of the camera but people behind the camera too.

“In America and Europe for instance, women handle camera while men indulge in makeup, but the reverse is the case here because everybody wants to be seen in front of the camera,” he said.

In his speech, the Director News and Current Affairs Department of the ABS ,Mr Gab Okpalaeze expressed satisfaction that the Academy has a lot of students who wanted to specialise in journalism, adding that the academy has attracted a lot of commendations from Ndi Anambra ,promising that the station will give their best to ensure that the students are well equipped.

On his part, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr James Eze, encouraged the pioneer students to be humble and diligent, believe in themselves noting that the future belongs to those who tell their stories in motion.

Eze said that Anambra is endowed with people who are talented in creativity, adding that with the present administration in the state, the state has experienced a paradigm shift in development, commending the ABS boss for impacting and changing the ABS narrative.

Also speaking, Principal Partner, Winning Concepts/Brand Aristotle, Mr. Mike Meze, and Group Managing Director of Oliswarren Group/Board Member ABS, Marcel Manafa, urged them not to take any profession for granted even if they get there by chance.

They called on the students to learn how to manage success when they become successful, adding that the idea that will shake the film industry in Nigeria has not been conceived by anybody so far.

Others who gave their goodwill message to the students included Nollywood actress/ACD Party Chairman, Oby Okafor, Media Aide to Governor Obiano, Mr. Emeka Ozumba, Anambra State Publicity Secretary of APGA, Chinedu Nkwonta and member of ABS Management Board including Lady Tina Ekenta among others.

Photo:  Obiano's media aide, Emeka Ozumba, Chinedu Nkwonta, Anambra State Publicity Secretary of APGA , MD/CEO and Rector of ABS Film Academy, Nze Uche Nworah, ABS Board Member, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Managing

Director of Rockland Development Co. Ltd, Mr. Obi Ene, Marcel Manafa, Group MD of OlisWarren Group/ABS Board Member, James Eze, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Willie Obiano, Oby Okafor Nollywood Actress/ACD Political Party Chairman.

Photo 2: Rector of the Academy and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the ABS Nze Uche Nworah 4th left with management team of ABS Awka