Victor Ezeja
As Edo State prepares for the sixth edition of the yearly Alaghodaro Alaghodaro Investment Summit, concerted efforts to open up the state’s creative industry for investors would be on parade, says, Special Adviser to the governor on Media Projects, Osagie Crusoe.
The state had successfully secured deals for production of not less than 50 films in partnership with ROK Studios.
Founder of ROK Studios, Mrs. Mary Njoku, is one of the guests expected to speak on ‘Capitalizing on Opportunities in Edo State,’ at a panel session during the three-day economic summit, taking place in Benin City, the state capital.
Osagie said,“Njoku is expected to share insights on how she engaged with the state government on the landmark deal, chronicling how the process advanced from the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the shooting of movies across various locations in the state as well as making use of the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage for her productions.”
He added that the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub is fast-becoming a rallying point for creatives in the state, as film productions, live productions, musicals, stage plays and entertainment shows are justling for space at the facility.
Osagie noted that the state is craving to become a hub for the creative industry, which is linked to the tourism sector.
He added that through the partnership with ROK studios, various movies have been produced in the state, including the popular television series – Blood of Enogie – and others including Uwaoma, When God Says Yes, Kissing Frogs, Atonement, Home Coming, Out of Sight, Etebite, The Secret.
Others are: Filling Station, Family House, Love Happens, Osariemen, Osifo, Red Ribbon, International Mistake, Thicker Than Blood and An Odd Love.
This year’s edition of Alaghodaro summit is themed Edo’s transformation: partnerships, resilience, impacts, and will run from Friday, November 11 to Sunday, November 13, 2022.
The event will commence with the Edo Summit by 9am on Friday at the New Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, while a State Banquet will be held, same day, at the Edo Hotel Marquee by 6pm.
It also features a golf tournament on Saturday, November 12 by 7am as well as the launch of Digital Benin website at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Soundstage by 2pm, while a Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, November 13.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
