‘Make Bayelsa The New Movie Hub in Nigeria’, Isenah Charges AMP chairman

The former Speaker of the Bayelsa state house of Assembly Rt. Hon. Tonye Isenah has charged Movie Makers to see Bayelsa as a choice destination and make state the new movie hub in Nigeria.

The former speaker gave the charge when he granted audience to the newly elected Chairman of the Association, Comrade Maxwell Jerry Opoikumo at his residence in Yenagoa.

Dr. Isenah who is also a state patron of the Association emphasised the need for AMP to intensify efforts to put their house together for government’s recognition.

According to him, government will know the body to deal with lamenting that over the years, due to the lacuna government is confused with the relevant body to deal with when it comes to movie production in the state.

Dr. Isenah commended the new chairman of AMP with his new approach of making the association more popular through the appointment of technocrats as special advisers to run his office shows that Comrade Opoikumo-led executive is ready to rebrand the association.

Hon. Tonye Isenah further urged the rebranded AMP to carry out more sensitization and awareness campaigns by telling people that only the Association of Movie Producers have a right to produce movies.

He said this will help to dispel the rumors where producers extort money from actors deceiving them of producing movies while they are not even registered members which is like ‘going to the law court without attending law school’.

The former speaker pointed out that there are so many beautiful locations in Bayelsa state and he believes movie makers can take advantage of them.

He advised the chairman and Association to embark on project inspections to see what government is doing at the Edepie roundabout or Oxbow Lake amongst other beautiful places because this association can be partners in progress.

In his remarks, Comrade Maxwell Jerry Opoikumo, chairman of Association of Movie Producers, Bayelsa state Chapter said, the AMP has the passion for advancing, preserving the cultural heritage of the Ijaws through movies.

Comrade Opoikumo assured the former speaker that his administration will partner with the prosperity government alongside the private sector to ensure that Bayelsa state becomes the hub of the Movie industry.

He stressed that he will not work alone that is why he is busy appointing persons with ideas to work with him to achieve his dreams and goals.

The AMP chairman noted that he will carry out advocacy and sensitization activities in different local Government areas noting that he will appoint special advisers in the eight LGAs to have a comprehensive database of production houses existing in the local government areas.

He expressed strong believe that most of them do not know the activities of AMP but will enlightened them on the role of the Association of Movie producers noting that soon he will appoint investment committee to look into the hospitality sector like the hotels, fast foods among many other sectors for greater partnerships.

Adding that movie makers will enjoy some areas of benefits like subsidized rates during the production of their movies thereby attracting movie makers outside the state to visit Bayelsa state and work freely.

The Chairman was accompanied by his special adviser on legal matters Barr. Francis O. Francis and the publicity Secretary Mr Barakumo Solomon Odede