2006 Ministerial Statement Recognised the Publication’s Contribution to Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry and National Image
ABUJA, NIGERIA — 2 June 2006 — The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Frank Nweke Jr., formally commended the initiative behind Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment, describing the publication as a celebration of Nigerian creativity and ingenuity and recognising the strategic importance of Nigeria’s film industry to the country’s international image and economic development.
The statement was contained in a formal correspondence issued on 2 June 2006 from the Office of the Minister, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja.
The document bears reference number FMI/PPD/403/TC/39 and is headed:
“The Official Comment of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation on ‘Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment’”
The statement was signed by Frank Nweke Jr., Minister.
A Celebration of Nigerian Creativity
In his official comment, the Minister described Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment as: “a celebration of the Nigerian spirit, creativity and ingenuity”
He noted that these qualities had attracted the attention of the international movie industry.
The Minister further referred to Nigeria’s emergence as a major global centre of film production, noting the country’s position at the time as the third largest movie-producing country in the world.
Recognition of the Publishers’ Initiative
The Minister specifically recognised the work undertaken by the Publishers, describing the timing of the initiative as particularly appropriate in view of the transformation Nigeria was experiencing under the reforms of the Obasanjo administration.
The official statement described the publication as:
“highly commendable.”
This provides a significant contemporary government record of official recognition for the entertainment documentation initiative.
Film Industry and Nigeria’s International Image
The ministerial statement went beyond the publication itself to identify the broader national importance of Nigeria’s film industry.
It noted that, in addition to the substantial foreign-exchange potential of Nigerian movies, the film industry was strategically positioned to complement government efforts to promote Nigeria’s brand assets and address negative perceptions affecting the country’s international image.
This observation places the Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment project within a much broader national context.
The publication was therefore being recognised at a time when Nigeria’s government was increasingly interested in the country’s creative industries as instruments of economic development, cultural representation and international image-building.
Ministerial Commendation and Assurance of Government Support
The Minister concluded his official comment with a direct commendation of the initiative.
He stated:
“I commend the initiative of the publishers” and assured the publishers of: “our continued support and co-operation” with the stated objective of moving the industry forward for: “the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
The statement represents a significant contemporary expression of support from the Federal Government’s information ministry for the documentation and promotion of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
A Significant Contemporary Record of Nigeria’s Entertainment History
The 2 June 2006 ministerial statement is particularly valuable as a historical document because it captures the government’s perception of the Nigerian entertainment industry at an important stage of its development.
At the time, Nollywood and Nigeria’s wider entertainment sector were rapidly expanding beyond the domestic market. Nigerian films and creative works were attracting growing international attention, while the industry was increasingly being viewed as a vehicle for cultural representation and economic opportunity.
The Minister’s statement reflects this changing perception and recognises the role of industry documentation in presenting Nigeria’s creative sector to a wider audience.
Connection to Frank Ikegwuonu’s Publishing History
The document forms part of a wider collection of contemporary institutional records associated with the publication of Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment and Frank Ikegwuonu’s publishing activities during the 2000s.
Other official correspondence from the period includes recognition and support from the National Film and Video Censors Board, the House of Representatives Committee on Information, and the Nigerian Television Authority.
Together, these records provide a chronological documentary trail showing that the project received attention from major Nigerian institutions involved in film, television, information and national cultural development.
Preserving the Original Ministerial Document
The original signed correspondence dated 2 June 2006, issued by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and signed by Frank Nweke Jr., Minister, is preserved among the historical records associated with Frank Ikegwuonu and The Nelas Academy.
The original document is not being published online with this article. It may, however, be made available for legitimate academic, journalistic, institutional, historical or documentary verification upon appropriate request.
