Actors Guild Of Nigeria Adopts Emeka Ike As President

By Actors Guild Nigeria

As a preamble for peace, reconciliation and a search for progress, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, (AGN) has consequently adopted Emeka Ike as its interim president. He is to serve for 2 years and thereafter conduct a ‘Unity Government’ election.

The pronouncement was made by the National Treasurer of the AGN, St. Maradona J. Mikevine on April 4th, 2016 during a chat with media men in Lagos.

Maradona, who was the first plaintiff in the court case that eventually sacked the Ibinabo-led administration, informed newshounds that he was pressured by self-uprightness to make the proclamation, in order to set the records straight.

He solicits the cooperation of the Nigeria movie industry, the actors’ fraternity, the Nigerian public and the media to put all behind and help forge a common and progressive front for a better future.

He said, “It has become germane, expedient and imperative for me to call this Press Conference to clear the air and set the record straight in respect of the above subject matter and the leadership crisis rocking Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

Since the Judgement on March 16, 2015 that sacked Ibinabo Fiberesima as president of AGN and also dissolved members of the BOT and the subsequent dismissal of the appeal cum Stay-of- execution by the DEFENDANTS (Ibinabo and the former BOT) on march 23, 2016, I have been inundated with calls from well-meaning Nigerians, Nollywood stakeholders, politicians, Media Editors, security agencies to clarify issues and point the way forward as to who I have endorsed to lead ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA since the Judgement directly mentions my name as the PLAINTIFF and because the Ibinabo led faction, the dissolved BOT members and some stakeholders in Nollywood are still finding it difficult to obey the Judgement of a competent court of Jurisdiction and accept the current reality that “POWER HAS CHANGED HANDS” in AGN.”

The actor stated further, “To this end, our victory at the court should NOT be interpreted or perceived as a victory for me (ST. MARADONA J. MIKEVINE) BUT a victory for us “EMEKA IKE AND HIS EXECUTIVES”.

Therefore, in trying to point the way forward I propose that since the parties involved in the leadership crisis; Segun Arinze and Ibinabo Fiberesima have both ruled AGN for two (2 years) each, it will only be proper in the interest of peace, justice, fairness and good conscience for Emeka Ike, his state and national executives to be allowed to assume the leadership of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) for Two (2 years) LEGITIMATELY in compliance with the court judgement after which a unified election can now be conducted. This is the best way forward after years of injustice and unfairness perpetrated against EMEKA IKE and his EXECUTIVES.

The Court has given its verdict; the Industry should please allow us enjoy the fruit of our victory at the court.”

Read below full text of Press Release:
ON MONDAY APRIL 4, 2016; BY ST. MARADONA MIKEVINE JOHNSON ON THE COURT JUDGEMENT THAT SACKED IBINABO AS AGN PRESIDENT AND DISSOLVED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE WAY FORWARD FOR AGN

It has become germane, expedient and imperative for me to call this PRESS CONFERENCE to clear the air and set the record straight in respect of the above subject matter and the leadership crisis rocking Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

Since the Judgement on March 16, 2015 that sacked Ibinabo Fiberesima as president of AGN and also dissolved members of the BOT and the subsequent dismissal of the appeal cum Stay-of- execution by the DEFENDANTS (Ibinabo and the former BOT) on march 23, 2016, I have been inundated with calls from well-meaning Nigerians, Nollywood stakeholders, politicians, Media Editors, security agencies to clarify issues and point the way forward as to who I have endorsed to lead ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA since the Judgement directly mentions my name as the PLAINTIFF and because the Ibinabo led faction, the dissolved BOT members and some stakeholders in Nollywood are still finding it difficult to obey the Judgement of a competent court of Jurisdiction and accept the current reality that “POWER HAS CHANGED HANDS” in AGN

I am sure you members of the media may be aware by now about the issues that led us to where we are today. Two controversial elections; One by EJIKE ASIEGBU in Port Harcourt that produced Segun Arinze who was to turn down his mandate as a result of the crisis that ensued after the controversial election. The BOT in search of a resolution at that time then appointed the same Segun Arinze to head what was tagged “GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY” This appointment was however rejected by majority of the stakeholders and KANAYO O. KANAYO who had earlier been appointed by the BOT as an interim president with a mandate to conduct an election for the guild. Kanayo was of the opinion that the formation of a government of National Unity was unconstitutional and alien to our guild. He (Kanayo O. Kanayo) then conducted another election in Lagos that produced Emeka Ike and his executives and was sworn-in by erudite lawyer and former Nigeria presidential aspirant “BARRISTER CHRIS NWOKOBIA”.This is the genesis of factions in AGN politics. My media friends, this is just a digression.

During the reign of the so called government of national unity by the segun Arinze led faction, Emeka Ike went to court to file a suit against the BOT and segun Arinze, asking the court to interpret the so called “government of national unity” as it was unconstitutional and that the court should declare his (Emeka Ike led AGN) the authentic. But the court in its wisdom asked both (Segun Arinze and Emeka Ike) factions to maintain STATUS QUO pending the final determination of the suit.When the Segun Arinze led AGN completed its tenure of 2 years, they (segun Arinze and the then BOT) disobeyed the court orders that both parties (Emeka Ike and Segun Arinze) maintain status quo; but instead went ahead to conduct an illegal election that eventually produced Ibinabo. In reaction to such palpable disregard foran existing court order, my president, Emeka Ike called a strategic national emergency executive meeting where he muted and master-minded the idea that we go back to the court of law to file another suit challenging that illegal election that produced Ibinabo BUT this time file the case through my office as the NATIONAL TREASURER since his own case was still pending in court. Emeka Ike was the one that signed the documents including the affidavits that was tendered in court.

To this end, our victory at the court should NOT be interpreted or perceived as a victory for me (ST. MARADONA J. MIKEVINE) BUT a victory for us “EMEKA IKE AND HIS EXECUTIVES”.

Consequently, I want to point the WAY FORWARD… (1.) That since the parties involved in the leadership crisis; Segun Arinze and Ibinabo Fiberesima have both ruled AGN for two (2 years) each, it will only be proper in the interest of peace, justice, fairness and good conscience for Emeka Ike, his state and national executives to be allowed to assume the leadership of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) for Two (2 years) LEGITIMATELY in compliance with the court judgement after which a unified election can now be conducted. This is the best way forward after years of injustice and unfairness perpetrated against EMEKA IKE and his EXECUTIVES.

The Court has given its verdict; the Industry should please allow us enjoy the fruit of our victory at the court.

  1. I also humbly urge a roundtable dialogue and reconciliation meeting between Emeka Ike, his executives and the dissolved BOT members to be speedily spearheaded by the following personalities;John Okafor (Mr. Ibu) Rachael Oniga, OssyAffason, YemiSolade, Mathias Obahiagbon, RoonieDikko, Paul Obazele, Tunde Alabi, Isa Abubakar, Godson UzoNwosu and Obi Okoli. We will certainly need their wisdom, counsel and guardians to forge a united AGN.

It is my belief that the time has come for those of us who truly love Nollywood cum AGN to put aside our personal egos, pride and anger for the collective progress of our noble Guild. We must take a cue from the last general election in Nigeria when all predictions were that Nigeria was going to break-up; we proved to the whole world that we are a people that can manage ourselves. AGN cum Nollywood as a global brand must now show that we can resolve our issues.

Distinguished members of the media, let me at this junction raise an alarm that enemies of the guild are hovering around to cause mayhem and spill the blood of the innocent – we are not scared. But if AGN goes into flames today, it will rob-off on Nollywood as a whole. The image of the Guild is already battered enough and I plead with all stakeholders in Nollywood to rally support for Emeka Ike and his executives to succeed.Love them; Hate them; Emeka Ike and his executives have fought a good fight for their rights within the ambit of the law. Let’s now put the past behind. Let’s preach peace, let’s preach reconciliation, let’s preach progress – To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war.The EMEKA IKE led administration is resolved and with a firm belief and strong-will that the power and strength that we need is the truth that lie within the crevices and fissure of our victory at the court. These, and not threat to our lives,and not money and not connection will be the impetus that will aid Emeka Ike and his executives to re-build AGN.Finally, I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Nigerian Judiciary; again the Judicial system has further established the fact that the “Judiciary is the last hope of the common man”. I want to also say a BIG thank you to our able and incorruptible lawyers Chief Malcolm Omirhobo and Barrister Peter AndorOboyi for believing in this case and for all their sacrifices, support, rare show of understanding and love. THANK YOU SIRS! Permit me to also say a forest thanks to our loyal AGN members across the country. It's been a long time coming, and it came, because you believed and held on in prayers and in faith for this moment in spite of the threats and campaign of calumny. CHANGE has eventually come to AGN. This victory alone is not the CHANGE we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that CHANGE. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

This is our time to reclaim the AGN dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't make headway, we can now respond with that timeless credo that sums up the AGN spirit – We have what it takes to make progress.I can’t complete this conference without using this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks to the Nigerian media; your support is immensely appreciated. Thank you. Thank you indeed. Please continue to report and support us.

AGN, PROGRESS!
AGN, THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
God Bless Nigeria!Long live Nollywood!
Yours Faithfully, St. Maradona J. MikevineAGN National Treasurer

CC: Lagos State Governor
CC: Minister of Information and culture
CC: Commissioner for culture and tourism, Lagos State

CC: National Judicial Council of Nigeria
CC: Inspector General of Police
CC: Commissioner of Police, Lagos State
CC: Femi Adesina, SSA Media and Publicity to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

CC: President, AMP
CC: President, FVPMAN
CC: Coordinator, MOPPICON
CC: Chairman, AVRS
CC: President, SWGN
CC: President, NSC
CC: President, Nigeria Union of Journalists
CC: President, Nigeria Guild of Editors
CC: President, Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN)

CC: Oba of Lagos
CC: Secretary, Council of Obas