The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has introduced new bylaws for the Nigerian film industry
The president, Emeka Rollas, announced this during a press conference on Tuesday.
Bylaws are rules or laws established by an organisation or community to regulate itself, as allowed or provided for by some higher authority.
At the occasion, the Guild also presented what it described as the final report on the 10 April boat mishap that claimed the lives of Jnr Pope and four other crew members of Adanma Luke’s “Other Side of Life’ movie
The unfortunate deaths not only shocked Nollywood but also raised concerns over safety issues on movie sets, prompting calls for thorough scrutiny and higher standards in the industry.
Following the incident, the AGN barred actors from shooting movies in riverine areas and participating in boat rides.
Presenting the bylaws to the media, Rollas noted that the tragedy necessitated the need for stringent rules and guidelines in Nollywood and the formation of a committee to investigate the accident.
Additionally, he emphasised the importance of the new regulations, including guidelines on welfare, finance, standard safety guidelines, set protocols, and standards in movie production.
“This will show members that we are taking the guild seriously. We came up with this presentation because the guild cannot move forward without structures that match international standards and practices put in place.
“For two months, these people were brainstorming. The core of their discussions was to improve actors safety, workspace conditions, and industry standards,” he said.
Rollas stressed the importance of adhering to the new laws, saying, “What this also means is that after these laws have been passed, if people intentionally flout the guild’s laws, we will take it very seriously because time was spent developing this structure.”
Emeka Ike, a veteran actor, led the bylaws committee, with Jude Orhorha serving as the secretary.
Other notable members include Bimbo Manuel, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Joke Silva, Francis Duru, Patience Ozokwor, Hilda Dokubo, Abubakar Yakubu, Gideon Okeke, Anthony Ogbetere, and Femi Branch.
In delivering his speech, the committee chair emphasised the importance of the new bylaws.
Ike said, “A nation without bylaws is not in existence. An association or a group without bylaws is not profitable. The Nigerian film industry has lived in this state. This is one of the reasons things are not adequately regulated, why there is not much residual income, and why people in the industry are not gaining from the benefits they should be receiving.
“People go to make contracts without having a background, and in this, it is the wisdom of Mr President that we should sit as a committee to find ways to address these issues that have existed in the entertainment industry related to acting.”
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