Anyaso Applauds Aba Made Film Project Flag-Off

The Chairman of CADEES Group, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso (Ofuji Global), has described the Aba Made Film Project, The Chronicles of Enyimba City, as a celebration of Aba’s rich cultural heritage, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Speaking on Saturday at the Aba Town Hall during the official flag-off of the project, which he chaired, Anyaso said the initiative would showcase Enyimba City’s legacy of innovation and tradition while promoting cultural tourism, local storytelling, and youth empowerment.

He noted that the objectives of the project align with the Abia State Government’s agenda of harnessing creativity for socio-economic development and job creation through arts, culture, and tourism.

Anyaso added that the initiative aims to revive the movie industry as a tool for social re-engineering and restore Aba’s historical place in Nollywood as a cradle of entertainment. He thanked Governor Alex Otti, OFR, the brand ambassador of the project, for his support.

Expressing optimism about the outcome, he said the film project would produce a compelling narrative that boosts community pride and contributes to Abia’s cultural renaissance. He called on private stakeholders to partner with government in growing Nigeria’s creative economy.

As the audience awaited Governor Otti’s formal flag-off, Anyaso commended dignitaries present, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (represented by Mrs. Olewengwa), members of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the Mayor of Aba South LGA, commissioners, and keynote speaker Chief Bob-Manuel Udokwu.

Governor Otti, in his remarks, unveiled plans to establish an entertainment village to reclaim Aba’s position as Nigeria’s “Cradle of Entertainment.” He also pledged to transform Abia into a hub for creative enterprise, citing plans for two five-star hotels in Aba and Umuahia and the establishment of a stadium and games village.

“We can discuss bringing the entertainment village to Aba. I want the best for this industry,” the governor said, praising the resilience of the entertainment sector and Aba’s historic role in Nollywood’s early distribution network.

Goodwill messages from Senator Abaribe, Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, and Dr. Anyaso commended the producers of the Aba Made Film Project and applauded Governor Otti for rewriting Abia’s narrative.

Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, described the initiative as a catalyst for restoring Aba’s former glory and spotlighting its cultural and economic vibrancy.

In a keynote address titled Elevating Abia’s Image Through Cinematic Excellence, Nollywood icon Bob-Manuel Udokwu hailed the project as a strategic cultural and commercial undertaking capable of boosting Abia’s image, stimulating economic growth, and repositioning the South-East.

Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), speaking for fellow artistes, thanked Governor Otti for his infrastructural strides and commitment to the creative sector, pledging to continue representing Abia with pride.

The event also featured a synopsis of The Chronicles of Aba, presented by the project’s Technical Director, Dr. Prospect Nlemchukwu.