I remain AGN President -Ibinabo Fiberesima

One entertainment body that continues to be in the spotlight in the country for several reasons, both good and bad, is the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

While it has always been rocked by crises, since Ibinabo Fiberesima became its first female president a couple of years ago, it has been relatively stable.

Though her leadership has also had its challenges, with Clarion Chukwurah battling her hard last year for the coveted presidency, and others trying to run a parallel body, Fiberesima has weathered all the storms that brewed.

And it seems she’s in control again regarding the current storm brewing which stems from a court ruling last Monday that the election in which she emerged as AGN President was illegal.

And through a press release that was released on her behalf, Fiberesima’s stance on the issue has been made known.

“The President of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima Egbuka, wishes to express her heartfelt appreciation to her members, Nollywood practitioners and teeming fans. The love and support you have shown towards her is overwhelming. The moment the news of the court ruling filtered in on the 16^th of March 2015, our office has received a barrage of phone calls, emails and text messages from so many people expressing their concern, support and love. Some made us laugh, some made us cry.

“A particular individual sent a picture with the caption: ‘I don’t know you but may this love in your heart never leave your industry. Love conquers hate. Love is what your industry needs and you carry it so hate will look for every reason to fight you whether genuine or not.’ That, made me cry.

“Sadly, that fellow’s prophecy has also come true as a few people that don’t mean well for the industry have used the opportunity to ferment trouble and open old wounds. This is not right. Hence, it’s important to make certain clarifications on the matters on ground.

“The news of the court ruling annulling the November 2012 elections is true and as law abiding citizens, we will not do anything outside our constitutional right. We have expressed our right and appealed the case. The Judgment did not make Emeka Ike the president of the Actors’ guild of Nigeria. The court judgment points to the direction that the election that brought me in was illegal. The case in question is between actor Emeka Ike, the board of trustees and the Segun Arinze-led government of national unity. It is not between I and Emeka Ike as some blogs have wrongly reported. I have no issues with Emeka Ike.

“The Board of trustees has done well to uphold our constitution’s provision that there cannot be a lacuna in government, hence Ibinabo Fiberesima Egbuka remains the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria. Ibinabo Fiberesima Egbuka remains committed to the well-being of the acting community of Nigeria. That is what she was elected to do. That, she we will continue to do. AGN, the show must go on.”