HISTORICAL RECORDS & INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION

Institutional & Professional Endorsements of Frank Ikegwuonu’s Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment — 2004–2007

INSTITUTIONAL & PROFESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS, COMMENDATIONS AND HISTORICAL RECORDS

Frank Ikegwuonu — Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment and the Documentation of Nigeria’s Creative Industries, 2004–2007

A Chronological Documentary Record of Institutional and Professional Recognition

Frank Ikegwuonu, Nigerian publisher, filmmaker, editor, author and creative-industry professional, developed Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment and related documentation projects during the formative years of Nigeria’s modern entertainment industry.
Between 2004 and 2007, the project generated a substantial body of correspondence from professional associations, government institutions, national broadcasters, the National Assembly, diplomatic representatives and other public institutions.

The documents preserved in the historical archive include letters of endorsement, commendation, recommendation, official comment, institutional participation and moral support.

The records below are presented chronologically and retain the terminology and titles used in the original documents.
The original signed correspondences are preserved in the historical records of Frank Ikegwuonu / The Nelas Academy of Arts, Media and Television.

The original document is not being reproduced publicly as part of this press release.
However, it may be made available for legitimate historical, academic, media, institutional or documentary verification upon appropriate request.

1. ASSOCIATION OF MOVIE PRODUCERS (Nigeria)

25 October 2004
Document: Institutional Endorsement and Participation
Institution: Association of Movie Producers (Nigeria)

Recipient:
Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
Publisher – Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment Industry
Key documentary evidence: The Association stated that it would be delighted to participate in the Who’s Who project and declared:
“We totally endorse the project and reaffirm our commitment to its success.”

The Association supplied:

its current membership list;
selected passport photographs of members;
a brief history of the organisation;
organisational photography.

The letter was signed by Madu C. Chikwendu, National President, and Alex Eyengho, General Secretary.

Historical significance
This is currently the earliest dated institutional document in the archive that directly identifies Frank Ikegwuonu as Publisher of Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment Industry.

It is particularly important because it demonstrates active participation, not merely verbal support.
Recommended article: Association of Movie Producers Endorsed Frank Ikegwuonu’s Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment Industry in 2004.

2. National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners — NANTAP

22 November 2004
Document: Institutional Support / Endorsement
Institution: National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, Lagos State Chapter

Recipient: Attn: Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
Project:
Who Is Who in Nigeria Entertainment Industry 1995–2005 Encyclopedia

Key documentary evidence
NANTAP stated: “We in NANTAP wish to state our unalloyed support for the initiative of a database for the entertainment industry’s Who Is Who.”

The association described the initiative as “long overdue” and the ambitious project as “commendable.”

It also acknowledged Frank Ikegwuonu’s: “vision and mission” and expressed interest in receiving copies of the completed publication.
NANTAP also accepted the proposal to have a special web page for the Association on the project’s Web page:.

Historical significance:
This is one of the earliest professional-association records documenting the project and provides an important contemporary description of its intended database/reference function.

3. National Film and Video Censors Board — NFVCB

5 October 2005
Document: Official Endorsement
Institution: National Film and Video Censors Board

Recipient:
Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
Publisher: Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment Industry

Key documentary evidence:
The NFVCB stated that it would be delighted to participate in the Who’s Who project and:

“totally endorse the project and affirm our commitment to its success”

because it believed the project would contribute greatly to the upliftment of the industry.

The letter was signed by Mr. Emeka Mba, Director-General.

Historical significance:
This is a significant federal institutional endorsement because the NFVCB was Nigeria’s national film and video regulatory institution.

It also explicitly identifies Frank Ikegwuonu as Publisher.

4. Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria

20 October 2005
Document: Letter of Commendation
Institution: Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria

Recipient: Frank Ikegwuonu
Project: Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment — Nollywood Edition

Key documentary evidence:
The Guild stated that it wanted to: “identify with your ‘WHO’S IS WHO IN NIGERIA ENTERTAINMENT; NOLLYWOOD EDITION’ project.”

The Guild commended the project for attempting to: “document Nollywood and its cultural heritage for genuine authentication and documentation.”

It further stated that the project could help clarify unanswered questions concerning:

“Nollywood, Nigeria and Africa.”
The letter was signed by Iyen Agbonifo, President.
Historical significance:
This document adds the creative-design and technical-production sector to the professional evidence surrounding the project.

5. Directors Guild of Nigeria

5 December 2005
Document: Official Professional Comment
Institution: Directors Guild of Nigeria

Recipient:
The Publisher
Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment

Key documentary evidence:
The document is titled: “The Comment of the National President of Directors Guild of Nigeria on the Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment Project.”

National President Fidelis Duker stated: “Never before in the history of Nollywood that a project received a unified endorsement from virtually all the sectors of the industry.”

The Guild identified with Urbanmingles Entertainment Media Group in the compilation of: “a compendium chronicling all the major players in our blossoming industry.” The Guild also commended the publisher and recommended the encyclopedia to practitioners.

Historical significance:
This is a particularly valuable professional-industry record, although the statement concerning “virtually all” sectors should always be attributed to the DGN President rather than presented as an independently verified fact.

6. Actors Guild of Nigeria

10 February 2006
Document: Official Comment / Endorsement
Institution: Actors Guild of Nigeria

Recipient:
The Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment

Key documentary evidence
The document is titled: “The Official Comment of the National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria on the Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment.”

National President Ejike Asiegbu described the project as: “one of the most challenging attempts by a private initiative to celebrate creativity, resourcefulness and excellence in a unified approach.”

The Guild stated that it had: “totally endorsed” the publication and affirmed its commitment to its success.

The President also stated: “I commend the effort of Urbanmingles Entertainment Media Limited” and recommended the encyclopedia for the benefit of stakeholders.

Historical significance:
This document is particularly important because it uses the combined designation: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
It therefore corroborates the two professional roles separately documented elsewhere.

7. House of Representatives — Committee on Information

16 February 2006
Document: Letter of Recommendation / Attestation
Institution: House of Representatives, Committee on Information

Project: Encyclopedia of entertainment personalities / Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment

Key documentary evidence:
The Committee stated that the effort was: “visionary” and recommended the publication as a dependable reference book for the Nigerian film industry.

The letter was signed by:
Hon. John Halims Agoda
Chairman, House Committee on Information.

Historical significance:
This provides National Assembly-level recognition and is different from a simple industry endorsement because it is formally styled as a: Letter of Recommendation/Attestation

8. Nigerian Television Authority — NTA

9 March 2006
Document: Official Comment / Institutional Support
Institution: Nigerian Television Authority

Recipient:
Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
Publisher: Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment Industry

Key documentary evidence:
The NTA stated that it was delighted to be part of the project and described it as an: “ennobling project” involving the compilation of Who’s Who in the Nigeria Entertainment Industry.

NTA stated that it supported the project because it would: showcase the players and encapsulate the essence of the budding entertainment industry in Nigeria.

The letter was issued from the Office of the Director-General, NTA and signed by Dr. Tonnie Iredia, OON, Director-General.

Historical significance:
This is another major national institutional record explicitly identifying Frank Ikegwuonu as Publisher.

9. National Library of Nigeria

20 March 2006
Document: Letter of Commendation
Institution: National Library of Nigeria

Recipient:
Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
Editor-in-Chief
Who’s Who in Nigeria — Entertainment, Culture and Motion Pictures

Key documentary evidence:
The National Library stated that it was pleased to be associated with the Who’s Who series of publications in Nigeria.

It described the publications as: “very positive contributions to the intellectual output of the nation but also to her economic and socio-political growth.”
The letter concludes: “Please, keep it up.”

Historical significance:
This is a particularly important institutional record because it identifies Frank Ikegwuonu as Editor-in-Chief and provides recognition from Nigeria’s national library institution.

10. Voice of Nigeria — VON

20 March 2006
Document: Letter of Commendation
Institution: Voice of Nigeria

Recipient:
Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
Editor-in-Chief
Who’s Who in Nigeria

Key documentary evidence:
VON acknowledged Ikegwuonu’s request for citation/commendation concerning the Nigeria Who’s Who project.

The organisation also referred to copies of: The Nigeria Establishment Directory which it described as: “helpful and of great value to us as a reference guide” and a source book on important names and addresses.
VON subsequently stated that the Who’s Who, when appropriately completed, would be: “a reference guide and a source book” covering important names and information:

Historical significance: This document is especially valuable because it establishes two things:
Frank Ikegwuonu’s contemporary designation as Editor-in-Chief.
VON’s acknowledgement that an earlier publication, The Nigeria Establishment Directory, had been useful to the organisation as a reference source.

11. Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation

2 June 2006
Document: Official Ministerial Comment / Commendation
Institution: Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation

Project:
Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment

Key documentary evidence:
Then Minister Frank Nweke Jr. described Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment as: “a celebration of the Nigerian spirit, creativity and ingenuity.”

He commended the initiative of the publishers and assured them of: “continued support and co-operation” with a view to moving the industry forward for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Historical significance:
This is one of the strongest government records in the archive because it is an official written ministerial statement from the Federal Minister responsible for information.

Recommended future individual article: Federal Minister Frank Nweke Jr. Commended Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment in 2006.

12. Nigerian Consulate General, Johannesburg

3 April 2007
Document: Official Diplomatic Recommendation
Institution: Consulate General of Nigeria, Johannesburg, South Africa

Project:
Who’s Who in Nigerian Entertainment Industry

Key documentary evidence
The Consul General S. L. Mohammed, mni described the publication as: “really a landmark achievement” and stated that it would serve as: “an institutional memory for Nollywood.”

The letter also stated that the encyclopedia could contribute to consolidating Nigeria’s position within the international entertainment and film community.

Historical significance:
This is particularly important because it extends the documentary record beyond Nigeria into the Nigerian diplomatic service abroad.

It demonstrates that the publication was being recognised in a diplomatic context in relation to Nigeria’s international cultural and entertainment profile.

13. THE PRESIDENCY / National Sports Commission

8 June 2007
Document: Endorsement and Moral Support
Institution: The Presidency / National Sports Commission

Recipient:
Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment
Producer

Key documentary evidence:
The correspondence concerns an initiative seeking the Commission’s endorsement and moral support in using sports and information to counter negative perceptions of Nigeria.

The document states that such work could have: positive multiplier effects on Nigeria’s image and economy and provide information to people interested in the country.
The National Sports Commission concluded by wishing the project well.
The letter was signed by L. M. Anwunwah, for the Honourable Minister/Chairman.

Historical significance: This document expands the project’s institutional footprint beyond entertainment and into national image, sports and public diplomacy.

14. Screenwriters’ Guild of Nigeria

Document: Congratulatory Recognition
Institution: Screenwriters’ Guild of Nigeria

Recipient:
FRANK IKEGWUONU — THE AUTHOR
of: Who’s Who in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry (Nollywood Edition)

Key documentary evidence: This is arguably one of the most important documents for establishing your authorship.
The Guild directly identifies you as: “THE AUTHOR” and congratulates you as the author of what it describes as: “the greatest compendium in the history of entertainment in Nigeria.”

The document is signed for: Ekenna Igwe (National President)
Historical significance: This document adds AUTHOR to the roles documented in the historical archive.