By Benjamin Njoku

It was a new dawn for in digenous film makers and other entertainers from Delta State last weekend as the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan declared the readiness of his administration to aid the entertainment industry in the state.

The governor made the declaration while speaking at the public presentation of two award-winning movies produced in Itsekiri language “Oma tsen-tsen and Suara La” by comrade Alex Eyengho. The event held last Friday in Warri, Deltat State.

According to him, “I don’t want to be solving only the problems of ill-health and all that. I also want to assist in the development of the artistes and the promotion of our cultural values.”

Gov Uduaghan

Uduaghan regretted that various film makers and other entertainers from the state have not made any visible effort to seek support from the government.

“The artistes should make efforts to reach me. Many of them don’t. They only do that whenever they have a problem. If an artiste comes to us with a good proposal and it is good we will support such artiste.” the governor assured.

Uduaghan who endorsed the rebirth of the Itsekiri film industry expressed his administration’s readiness to invest in the entertainment sector. He commended Eyengho for his vision to use the premiere of his two movies to relaunch the dying Itsekiri film industry.

Eyengho who also spoke at the occasion said his decision to hold the event in Warri, was to use the platform to signal a rebirth of the Itsekiri film industry, adding that “given the promises made by the governor, this is a new beginning for for all film makers from Delta state who are desirous of shooting films in our indigenous language.”

Speaking further, Eyengho disclosed plans to commence shooting of a big budget Itsekiri language movie, in February, which he hopes to take to major international film festivals next year.

The event held at King George Centenary hall, Warri South LGA, Urban Secretariat, witnessed a presentation of position paper, “Imperative of Indigenous Language” delivered by Dr. James Tar Tsaaior of School of Media and Communication, Pan-African University, Lagos.