Actors Guild Lauds Plateau’s Role In Development Of Film Industry

Posted by African Examiner Entertainment News, Latest Headlines Tuesday, March 18th, 2025

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has commended Plateau over its role in the development of the Nigerian film industry.

The Guild gave the commendation during the state’s Chapter Elections, which held on Tuesday in Jos, to bring in a new set of leaders for the body in Plateau.

Mr Abubakar Yakubu, the National Secretary of the Guild, noted that the role of Plateau could not be overemphasised when rating the overall development of the industry in Nigeria

Yakubu cited many components of film production, which were shot in the state and produced some of the best films since the inception of the industry in the early 60s in Nigeria.

“When looking at the general motion picture industry in Nigeria, Plateau has been a state to reckon with in the film industry since filming started in the 60s.

“It has trained the best crop of cinematographers in Nigeria, produced the best Soap operas on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and in other spheres of film making, it has always been there, if not the best among the first three.

“That tradition is on, and It is still going on, probably as the Film Institute is situated here. It has helped the youths to acquire skills that they have put into good use in the movie industry.

“The revolution of modern filming came from Plateau, from the young lads that were trained from the Film Institute by the time they spread around the country, the quality of the Nigerian film changed for the better.

“We keep growing, and keep getting better, you cannot see an end credit of a good movie without the impute from someone trained in Plateau,” Yakubu said.

He, therefore, stressed that the state was very significant in the guild and also in the motion picture practice in Nigeria.

On the relevance of the state’s election to the Guild, Yakubu noted that this was a nationwide practice that the AGN had put in place to ensure orderliness in its affairs.

Similarly, Mr Sydney Peacemore, the State’s Sole Administrator, maintained that most veterans in the industry who had made notable productions started in Plateau.

“I think film cannot be mentioned in this country without linking it to Plateau. History has it that the first film produced in this country was shot in this state.

“Most of the top veterans you see today were actors who started from Plateau and have produced big jobs.

“As a chapter, we have been privileged to produce big jobs; jobs that are acclaimed within and outside the shores of Africa,” Peacemore said.

On his part, Mr Sunday Apkome the Electoral Committee Chairman and a veteran in the industry, urged aspiring actors in the state to take advantage of the presence of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and the Film Institute (NFI) to get adequate training.

According to Apkome, the training will not only improve the industry but also the lives of the young ones, adding that Plateau is the land of creativity where talents thrive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that those present at the event included Chief Seigha Ebide, an aide to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, who served as one of the observers during the election.

NAN also reports that many actors and actresses contested the election in different categories. (NAN)