Abia to become film, entertainment, tourism hub, says Otti

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State has assured of his administration’s commitment to supporting the creative industry and positioning Abia as a major hub for film production, entertainment, tourism, and cultural promotion.

Otti made this known on Saturday in his Nvosi in Isialangwa South LGA country home while receiving a delegation of Nollywood practitioners led by Mr. Francis Ifeakandu, the producer of The Chronicles of Enyimba City.

The governor who commended the Nollywood practitioners for producing a film project that seeks to showcase the rich cultural heritage, history, and development of Abia State, described the initiative as timely and one that aligns with his administration’s “vision of promoting investment, tourism, and economic growth through the creative sector”.

“While my government may not directly sponsor private film projects, my administration remains committed to providing the necessary support and enabling environment required for the growth of the entertainment industry in the state.

“I assured you of support, and that support remains available. Government will continue to provide an enabling environment and work with stakeholders to ensure that initiatives capable of promoting Abia and creating opportunities for our people succeed,” 0tti stated..

Otti further disclosed that his administration is actively pursuing plans to establish an Entertainment City in Aba, a project designed to provide world-class infrastructure and facilities for filmmakers, creative professionals, and investors in the entertainment industry.

According to him, government has already commenced necessary processes, including land acquisition and compensation, to bring the project to reality.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and the producer of The Chronicles of Enyimba City, Mr. Francis Ifeakandu, expressed his gratitude to Gov. Otti for his continued support for the project and his transformative leadership across the state.

He informed the governor that the production team had successfully conducted auditions across all local government areas of Abia State and extended the exercise to neighbouring states and cities.

He noted that the project, described by industry consultants as one of the largest film productions in Africa, is designed to tell the story of Abia, promote its culture, and project its positive image to a global audience.

Ifeakandu also revealed that the film project features over 2,000 cast and is structured into six seasons with five episodes each, capturing various aspects of the state’s history, culture, tourism potential, and developmental strides.

He appealed for continued government support towards the successful completion of the project, stressing that the film would not only restore Abia’s historical prominence in Nigeria’s movie industry but also generate employment opportunities and attract investments into the state.