AGN pulls out of federation of Nollywood guilds

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) says it has withdrawn its membership from the Federation of Registered Nollywood Guilds and Associations (FRENGAN).

FRENGAN is the umbrella body of all registered guilds in Nigeria’s film industry.

Members of the body include the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).

Others are the Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPAN), and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria (TAMPAN), among others.

NAN reports that Emeka Rollas, the AGN national president, announced the guild’s withdrawal in a letter addressed to the leadership of FRENGAN on Monday.

Rollas said the guild decided to pull out of FRENGAN so that it could “focus on the growth, development and welfare” of its members.

He, however, said AGN would continue to support and promote good industrial relationships among all the guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry.

“After a careful consideration of suggestions and opinions expressed by our members and stakeholders on AGN’s membership of FRENGAN, the national executive council has regrettably resolved to withdraw AGN’s membership from the body,” he said.

“This is to enable the executive council to focus on the growth, development and welfare of members as we presently operate as service contractors, meaning that we fall short of labour protection with no access to social security.

“However, since filmmaking is a collaborative effort, we shall continue to support and promote sound and articulate industrial relationships among all the guilds and associations.

“We shall continue to uphold  fair contractual practices and a regulatory environment to improve the livelihoods of our members whilst making the future of our industry more sustainable.”