Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has been formally confirmed as Patron of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), the professional body representing directors in the nation’s film and television industry.
The confirmation took place during a special dinner in Uyo, held in honour of a DGN delegation visiting the state as part of the Guild’s 25th anniversary celebration and its participation in the ongoing Akwa Ibom Entertainment Week.
Founded in 1999, the Guild has played a central role in shaping Nollywood, now regarded as the world’s second-largest film industry. The milestone anniversary in Akwa Ibom marked a new phase of collaboration between the Guild, government, and stakeholders in strengthening the creative sector.
In his remarks at the dinner, Governor Eno urged DGN members to prioritise mentorship as a deliberate strategy for sustaining Nollywood’s growth. He cautioned that without structured capacity building for younger talents, the industry risked losing its audience to foreign competition.
“Let the industry understand that your power is in your multiplication. The more we watch you perform, the more we see the people you have mentored, the happier we will be, and the more the industry will thrive,” he said.
The governor directed the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of DGN, Mr. Moses Eskor, to explore avenues for re-engaging established indigenous stars to mentor emerging professionals. He further announced plans to expand the State Creative Academy into a Creative Village, designed to provide wider opportunities for training and innovation.
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“If we really want to empower our young people, we should have a Creative Village where the Academy would be a component,” he added.
Presenting the award of Champion and Patron of the Guild to Eno, DGN President, Mr. Uche Agbo, commended the governor’s consistent investment in the creative sector and his appointment of Guild members into key advisory roles in cultural and entertainment development. He assured that the Guild would strengthen its collaboration with Akwa Ibom to build capacity for behind-the-scenes professionals in Nollywood.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anietie Udofia, noted that the state’s peaceful environment and rich cultural heritage influenced the Guild’s decision to host its anniversary celebration in Akwa Ibom. Also in attendance were Nollywood actress Ms. Ebenezer Eno, who lauded the governor’s commitment to creatives, and the Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment, Mr. David Sergeant (Utang Akwa Ibom), who praised his sustained support for the industry.
By confirming Eno as Patron, the Guild not only recognised his contributions to the arts but also formalised a partnership aimed at deepening mentorship, capacity building, and cultural promotion in Nigeria’s film industry.