AGN Set To Kick Off Football Competition February, As Chairman, Anyaegbunam Warns Over Mercenaries In Guild Activities

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka

Actors and Actresses in Anambra State shalll emgage in several competitions including football across Anambra State starting by February 2025.

Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN , Anambra State chapter, Mrs. Esther Chinyelu Anyaegbunam who announced the football tournament and other competitions for members in 2025 said it’s for membership recognition and bonding.

Speaking during the end of year party events at Cosmila hotel Awka, Mrs. Anyaegbunam said the competition shall end by October 2025 or thereabouts, even as she urged every zone to start preparing their members in that respect, adding that each zone can be known with a specialized area either dancing, or any other like Aguata is now known for it’s special cultural song and dance- Egedege dance.

Mrs. Anyaegbunam lauded Awka branch of the AGN for shooting movies regularly and encouraged other zones to wake up from slumber. She informed that Anambra State Government has recognized the leadership of the guild and therefore every member shall watch other’s back, as members exist for each other.

She commended the sponsor of the AGN end of year party , Bishop Dr. Emeka Nwankpa,JP, OON for his generosity to the Guild in Anambra, asking God to replenish his pockets.

She asked everyone to endure any shortcomings and wrongdoings by ensuring peace ,love and unity of the guild in the state is paramount in all they do.

She appreciated God for His manifest love for members to gather for the end of year party, Bishop Nwamkpa, Comrade Clement Chukwudike Anigbo( AB Cowboy) the National Vice-chairman of AGN, South-East, Hon Lolo Oby Okafor, the National Treasurer of AGN, and her predecessor, Evangelist Leo Ewuzie for his support, guidance and ever presence in the guild’s functions.

Former Chairman of the AGN, Evangelist Leo Ewuzie while announcing the results frowned at the use of mercenaries by Guild in executing their projects like witnessed during the competition where Onitsha South performed so wonderfully but used people outside their members to perform, thus gaining them no marks.

Evangelist Ewuzie announces Aguata zone of the guild as winner of the competition, followed by Awka zone that came second and Ihiala zone that came third while Nnewi zone came fourth. Onitsha zone came last even when their performance was extraordinary, but the judges frowned at their hiring of mercenaries ro compete.

Amplifying the voice more, the former Chairman of the Guild, Pastor Leo Ewuzie said it’s a taboo for a guild member to hire mercenaries for his or her performance particularly when it’s performance in a competitive environment among members.

She also appreciated Comrade Francis Okonkwo, chairman of PMGN, Anambra State and Comrade Ofili Nwokedi, chairman of AMPRAC., even as she expressed gratitude to Hon. Annie Ekunie, Hon. Obi Dike (Boss), Chief Steve Ahanonu, Chief Roy Ekwunife and a host of others.

She further appreciated the Vice Chairman, Maazi Obikwelu Clinton Edeh, who was the Chairman of the organizing committee and his members, specially thanking Mr. Raymond Anyaeji and Akwue Perpetual (Omalicha) for their organizing skills. She thanked all the zones for mobilizing their members to the end of year party and participating in the entertainment competition, adding that they made the party a memorable one. She as well appreciated all appointees chairmen of standing committees and state taskforce chairman and team.

While throwing his allegiance and solidarity to the Chairman of AGN, Anambra State, Mrs. Anyaegbunam, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council , who is also a member of the Guild from Awka zone, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, JP assured partnership with the Guild and pledged to support the activities of the guild as much as time allows him, sequel to his deep engagement with NUJ as chairman currently, and prayed for Gods intervention on the activities of the Madam Anyaegbunam led AGN in the state. He asked for understanding from AGN members whenever he is unable to join.

The AGN 2024 end of year party benefactor, Bishop Emeka Nwamkpa who arrived by 10:57pm didn’t seize the moment to have felicitations with AGN leaders at the High table but later did that. He praised the AGN led by Mrs. Anyaegbunam for being focused on reviving the Guild.

Merriment started by 11pm and by 11:30pm, the Chairman of Anambra Guild was going round to ensure everyone got something to eat and drink ,even as Hon Anyanwu Gabriel, former Supervisor for Agriculture for 12 years in Idemili South assisted to ensure people ate. Chairman of NUJ and other Awka members with the Awka zone coordinator, Charles Onwuka Kycee got food by 11:49pm. Unsatisfied that some may not have eaten, Mrs.Anyaegbunam requested that announcement be made to ensure everyone ate by 11:55pm even as a Solo musician Dr Ogbodo was on stage entertaining by 1:39am.

When www.odogwublog.com asked Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD,JP his impression about the end of year party of the AGN of which he is a member, he retorted: ” Didn’t you see the Chairman of Guild in the state, Mrs. Esther Chinyelu Anyaegbunam going round to ensure some lapses are taken care of? That singular act is enough to score the party an A. Most leaders may be unconcerned about the well to do in the Guild, and abandon the lower cardre or those they don’t know or remember their title, but look at he trying to reduce the error margin of the planning committee who was at a point got carried away, forgetting that in the Guild all animals are equal, even when some are more equal than the others. Did you catch the drift?”

In a brief remarks, the Director Media of Training/Media & Publicity, Obiano Rob. C described the end of year party as awesome and commended the state chairman of the guild, Mrs.Esther Chinyelu Anyaegbunam as pragmatic and dynamic leader with interest of members at heart.

Vice-chairman of the Guild and Chairman, Organizing Committee, Maazi Obikwelu Clinton Edeh in a chat with www.odogwublog.com
apologized for any oversight at the event as the Guild cannot take any member for granted, thanking the state chairman of the Guild for her trust on his Committee, particularly his members that stood in the gap when it mattered most.

He described the end of year party as a beautiful outing, saying:
“Overall, it was a very beautiful outing and we are very grateful to the sponsor His Lordship, Bishop Dr Emeka Nwankpa JP for his magnanimity towards the guild in all facets”.

Meanwhile, in her 2025 New Year Message, the Chairman Actors Guild of Nigeria Anambra State Chapter, Mrs. Anyaegbunam Chinyelu Esther expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has played a role in 2024 in making AGN Anambra State Chapter what it is today.

She said: “2024 was a year of tremendous growth, impactful innovation, and incredible testimonials about the transformative power of God in our Guild. Your dedication, hard work, and belief in our vision have been the driving force behind this success.

She described Veterans and Elders of AGN as the champions who bring the mission of AGN to every corner of Nigeria and beyond, adding that their resilience and passion inspire members daily.

She further charged members to embrace 2025 with renewed energy and greater aspirations, even as she promised to: Enhance and foster cooperation amongst members of our State Chapter

” Empower our members with advanced tools, training, and incentives to help them grow their talents as actors.

” Spread our tentacles and collaborations, ensuring a seamless experience for all members

” Expand our reach to make Anambra State the hub for movie productions

“Reactivate the Moribund Zones and Creating new Zones

” Introduce new projects and expand to other frontiers as Actors

” More inclusivity in our programs

“Together, we are not just building a Guild; we are creating a legacy of hope and prosperity. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember—a year where we rise even higher, achieve even greater, and make an even more meaningful impact on the lives we touch”, she concluded.