Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg Recognised Who’s Who in Nigerian Entertainment Industry as a “Landmark Achievement” in 2007
Diplomatic Correspondence Described Frank Ikegwuonu’s Entertainment Encyclopedia as an Institutional Memory for Nollywood
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — 3 April 2007 — The Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg formally recognised Who’s Who in Nigerian Entertainment Industry as a significant documentation project and described the publication as a “landmark achievement” capable of serving as an institutional memory for Nigeria’s rapidly developing entertainment industry.
The recognition was contained in a formal diplomatic correspondence dated 3 April 2007, issued by the Consulate General of Nigeria, Johannesburg, South Africa, and addressed to Nigerian publisher Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu.
The correspondence was signed by S. L. Mohammed, mni, Hon. Consul General.
A Landmark Achievement for Nigerian Entertainment Documentation
In the correspondence, the Consul General described the publication, Who’s Who in Nigerian Entertainment, as: “a landmark achievement that will serve as an institutional memory for Nollywood.”
The statement provides a significant contemporary assessment of the importance of documenting the people and development of Nigeria’s entertainment industry at a period when Nollywood was rapidly gaining prominence both within Africa and internationally.
The publication was described in the correspondence as an encyclopaedia, reflecting its intended role as a reference work documenting Nigeria’s entertainment sector and the personalities contributing to its growth.
Linking Nigerian Entertainment to the International Stage
The diplomatic correspondence also placed the publication within an international cultural context.
According to the document, the encyclopedia was scheduled to be launched on 26 May 2007 in Johannesburg, during the Nigerian–South African Entertainment Show.
The Consul General observed that the initiative would contribute to consolidating Nigeria’s leadership position in the global entertainment industry.
The correspondence stated that the Nigerian film industry would experience “unprecedented relevance” following the presentation of the publication.
This is particularly notable because the recognition came from a Nigerian diplomatic mission outside the country, demonstrating that the documentation of Nigeria’s entertainment industry was being viewed not only as a domestic publishing initiative but also within the context of Nigeria’s cultural presence and entertainment relations abroad.
Official Recommendation of the Publication
The Consulate General went beyond acknowledging the publication.
The Consul General stated:
“I therefore have no difficulty in recommending the use of the encyclopedia by persons interested in knowing more about the Nigerian dynamic and fast entertainment industry.”
This recommendation positioned the publication as a potential reference resource for people seeking information about Nigeria’s evolving entertainment sector.
The statement also reflects the broader historical importance of creating organised documentation about an industry whose rapid growth was beginning to attract international attention.
Contemporary Recognition of Frank Ikegwuonu’s Publishing Work
The correspondence is particularly significant because it was addressed directly to:
Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
and concerns:
Publisher, Who’s Who in Nigerian Entertainment Industry.
The document forms part of a broader collection of historical institutional correspondence relating to Ikegwuonu’s publishing and documentation activities in Nigeria’s entertainment industry during the 2000s.
Johannesburg and the Internationalisation of Nollywood
The planned Johannesburg launch described in the correspondence is historically significant.
South Africa represented an important international environment for Nigerian entertainment during the period, while the growing visibility of Nollywood created new opportunities for cultural exchange and African entertainment collaboration.
The Consulate General’s recognition of the encyclopedia within the context of a Nigerian–South African entertainment event demonstrates how the documentation of Nigerian creative professionals was being connected with the country’s broader cultural engagement beyond its borders.
The publication therefore represented more than a directory of entertainment personalities. As described by the Nigerian diplomatic mission, it had the potential to become part of the institutional memory of Nollywood.
The original signed correspondence is preserved in the archives of Frank Ikegwuonu/The Nelas Academy and can be made available for verification to qualified researchers, institutions, media organisations and other legitimate parties upon request.
