The Chairman of CADEES Group, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso (OFUJI GLOBAL), has praised the launch of the Aba Made Film Project: The Chronicles of Enyimba City, describing it as a celebration of Aba’s cultural heritage, resilience, and long-standing entrepreneurial spirit.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony held on Saturday at the Aba Town Hall, where he served as Chairman of the occasion, Anyaso said the project would spotlight Enyimba City’s legacy of innovation and tradition while promoting cultural tourism, local storytelling, and youth empowerment.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Abia State Government’s vision of using arts, culture, and tourism as tools for socio-economic development and job creation. According to him, the project would help revive the movie industry as an avenue for social re-engineering and restore Aba’s historical position as one of the early powerhouses of Nollywood.
Anyaso expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Abia State and Brand Ambassador of the project, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for his commitment and support. He expressed optimism that the film project would produce a compelling narrative that strengthens community pride and fuels a broader cultural revival in Abia. He also urged private citizens to partner with the government in expanding the Nigerian creative economy for the benefit of future generations.
As guests awaited Governor Otti’s formal declaration of the project’s commencement, Anyaso encouraged attendees to enjoy the day’s activities. He also acknowledged the presence of dignitaries, including Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe (represented by Mrs. Olewengwa), the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the Mayor of Aba South LGA, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, and the keynote speaker, Chief Bob-Manuel Udokwu.
Governor Otti, while unveiling the state’s plans for the creative sector, announced an ambitious initiative to establish an entertainment village aimed at reclaiming Aba’s reputation as the “Cradle of Entertainment” in Nigeria. He also revealed ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, including the construction of two five-star hotels in Aba and Umuahia.
Reaffirming commitments made in his manifesto, the Governor said: “We are about to start the Abia State Stadium Village. It has a games village and an entertainment village. It is meant to be in Umuahia, but we can discuss bringing it to Aba. I want the best for this industry.”
He commended the entertainment sector’s resilience and acknowledged Aba’s historical role in the emergence of Nollywood’s commercial distribution network.
In his goodwill messages, Senator Abaribe (represented), Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, and Dr. Anyaso lauded the producers of the Aba Made Film Project and praised Governor Otti for his efforts to reshape Abia’s socio-cultural landscape.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, described the project as a catalyst capable of restoring Aba’s former glory. He expressed confidence that the initiative would highlight the city’s cultural heritage and dynamic economic environment.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Elevating Abia’s Image Through Cinematic Excellence,” Nollywood veteran Bob-Manuel Udokwu said the project was a strategic cultural, commercial, and creative investment capable of boosting Abia’s image, driving economic activity, and repositioning the South-East. He commended Governor Otti’s visionary leadership and expressed faith in the project team’s ability to establish a world-class film village.
Nollywood star Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), speaking on behalf of the artistes present, applauded the Otti administration for its infrastructure initiatives and thanked the Governor for standing by his promises to the creative industry. He assured that Nollywood practitioners would continue to represent Abia proudly on national and global stages.
The ceremony also featured a presentation of the synopsis of The Chronicles of Aba, delivered by the Project’s Technical Director, Dr. Prospect Nlemchukwu.
