The Commissioner of Police for the Enugu State Command, Mr. Anayo Uzuegbu, has pledged security support to the Nollywood industry, aligning with the vision of Dr. Peter Mbah’s administration to establish Enugu as the foremost destination for business, investment, tourism, and residential living.
This commitment was conveyed during a courtesy visit by Nollywood producers, led by the Chairman of the Enugu State Tourism Board, as part of their exploration of film-shooting facilities and locations within the state.
“I can assure you that the security concerns have been seriously dealt with due to the support given to the State Police Command and other security agencies by the current administration to rid Enugu State of criminal elements. That is the crackdown on crime and criminality you must have been reading in the papers.
“I was also opportune to launch the pilot scheme of the Distress Response Squad last August. The full complements of the DRS, which is being set up by the governor, will comprise well over hundred hi-tech patrol vehicles with security surveillance cameras capable of facial and number plate recognition.
“From the Command and Control Centre, which the government has almost completed, we will monitor the entire state and be able to deploy security resourses to preempt and solve crimes with ease at the speed of light”, he stated.
During the visit to the facilities of the Enugu State Television (ETV), including the studios, by the Nollywood producers and the State Tourism Board, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS), Mr. Ladi Akeredolu-Ale, affirmed the organization’s commitment to collaborate with Nollywood. He assured the provision of high-quality studios and sets for movie productions.
Mr. Akeredolu-Ale emphasized that the Mbah administration is dedicated to revitalizing the facilities as part of the government’s policy to transform dormant assets into productive ones.
Simultaneously, Dame Rita Mbah, the Executive Chairman of the State Tourism Board, explained that the tour extended to locations such as the Nike Lake Resort, Ezeagu cave, waterfall and lake, Enugu Unity Park, and the historic state secretariat complex.
This initiative aims not only to restore the state’s status as the home of Nollywood but also to uplift the Nigerian creative industry in alignment with Governor Mbah’s $30 billion economy target.
“We all know the worth of the Nollywood and the potential of the creative industry, which is one of the key sectors to drive this expected $30 billion growth target.
“If you check the governor’s manifesto, he has plans to build the Enugu Films and Movies Academy for training and upskilling our people in various aspects of the film industry. He plans to build the Enugu Film City that will compete with the best in the world. That is how serious he is about this aspect of the creative industry.
“For a start, we want to ensure that Nollywood returns to their home, Enugu State; and they have seen our facilities and locations. They have seen government policies and programmes and what the governor is doing with infrastructure, security, and other enablers. They are highly impressed and encouraged”, she stated.
