The Anambra State Government has called on actors, content creators, bloggers and the media to use their platforms to project the positive image of the state.
The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, made the appeal during a roundtable meeting with stakeholders in the creative industry in Awka, the state capital.
He urged entertainers to also support government efforts in developing and promoting the tourism sector, which he described as a vital tool for boosting the state’s economy and cultural heritage.
The commissioner described the theme of the round table entitled, “Anambra State Creative Industry: Solution and Prospects” as apt.
Onyenji said it had become necessary to change the negative portrayal of the state in the social media.
He charged them to form a formidable force that would provide needed positive narratives in the industry to boost Anambra’s image and its creative economy.
“There is need to change the wrong narratives being pushed into the media space about the state in the name of public entertainment.
“We want to ensure that all the energy in the industry is harnessed to showcase the achievements of Governor Soludo in the state to the world.” the Commissioner said.
Onyenji said that the Governor had transformed the economy of the state and had touched the lives of residents positively .
“Gov Chukwuma Soludo is passionate about developing the entertainment sector to boost tourism in the state. So, we need your maximum support to achieve that,” he said.
Onyenji disclosed that the first ever Anambra Creative Week would soon hold in the state where all the artists, content creators, broadcasters, DJs, musicians, actors and actresses, among others, would gather and stage a show for themselves and others.
He recalled that the opening of “Solution Fun City”, a recreational facility during which the Governor invited many artists, was one of the ways the he had shown that he valued their talents and was ready to give them the opportunity to shine.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to Soludo on Entertainment, Mr Bob-Manuel Udokwu, called for a state brand instead of individual brands for quicker development of the industry.
Udokwu, a veteran actor, regretted that conspiracy theory had remained the bane of development of the industry in Anambra, calling for a synergy and unity of purpose among the creatives.
Mr Chris Molokwu , Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Broadcasting Station (ABS), noted that before now, artists were seen as unserious people, but that there had been turn of events where they were now needed.
Molokwu advised them to portray the state positively regretting that Anambra had been portrayed negatively in the limelight recently.
He said that such negative vibes gave the state a negative status around the world, which he said, dwindled the chances of people coming into the state for business and relaxation.
Molokwu urged them to use their power to project the state and all the good works of the Governor, expressing happiness that Anambra had a lot of quality people in the industry.
The President of ANAWOOD, Anambra Film Village, Mrs Chinyere Okonmah applauded the state government for the move and supported the call for synergy among them.
Mr Mirioma Nadi, a content creator, also commended the state government for its recognition of those in the creative industry and their importance in the growth and development of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Nadi assured the government that the body would join hands with it to promote the striking transformation going on in Anambra to the world.
NAN / Foluke Ibitomi