Institution: Nigerian Society of Cinematographers
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Signatory: Isa Abubakar, President
Subject: Congratulatory recognition of Frank Ikegwuonu’s contribution to Nollywood through documentation
Historical category: HISTORICAL RECORDS & INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION
Professional Film Body Recognised Frank Ikegwuonu’s Contribution to Documenting Nollywood’s Development and Historical Background
LAGOS, NIGERIA — 28 September 2005 — The Nigerian Society of Cinematographers formally congratulated Frank Ikegwuonu, publisher of Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment, for what it described as his immense contribution to the growth of Nollywood through extensive documentation of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The correspondence was issued on 28 September 2005 on the letterhead of the Nigerian Society of Cinematographers, with its Nigeria Film Corporation Liaison Office at the National Theatre, Lagos.
The letter was addressed to:
Mr. Frank Ikegwuonu
Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment “Nollywood”
It was signed by Isa Abubakar, President, Nigerian Society of Cinematographers.
Cinematographers Recognised the Importance of Historical Documentation
In the correspondence, the Nigerian Society of Cinematographers congratulated Frank Ikegwuonu for his work documenting the Nigerian entertainment industry and specifically recognised the importance of preserving information about Nollywood’s development.
The letter stated that the Society, describing its members as professionals working behind the scenes of Nollywood, congratulated Ikegwuonu for his: “immense contribution to Nolly wood growth in the area of documentation as detailed as this.”
The statement is significant because it records recognition from a professional body representing cinematographers and technical practitioners within Nigeria’s film industry at a formative period in Nollywood’s development.
Recognition of the Historical Record
The Society further acknowledged Ikegwuonu’s commitment to documenting both the development of Nollywood and its historical background.
The correspondence stated that because he had made it a point of duty to document Nollywood’s development and history, the Society wished him continued success in his work.
This contemporary 2005 correspondence provides evidence that the documentation project was being recognised by practitioners within Nigeria’s film-production community not simply as a publication, but as an effort to preserve the emerging history of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Significance to Nigeria’s Film History
The Nigerian Society of Cinematographers’ letter is particularly relevant to the historical record because cinematographers occupy a specialised and important position within film and television production.
Their recognition therefore adds a professional technical perspective to the growing body of contemporary correspondence surrounding Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment.
The document demonstrates that, by September 2005, Frank Ikegwuonu’s documentation initiative had attracted acknowledgement from professional practitioners involved directly in the production of Nigerian films and television.
It also forms part of a wider collection of 2005–2007 institutional and professional correspondence preserved in connection with the Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment project.
A Contemporary Record from Nollywood’s Formative Era:
The letter is historically valuable because it dates from a period when Nollywood was rapidly expanding and developing its identity as one of Africa’s most influential film industries.
The Nigerian Society of Cinematographers’ recognition provides a contemporary record of how professionals within the industry viewed the importance of documenting this development.
Preserving the Original Historical Correspondence:
The original correspondence dated 28 September 2005, issued by the Nigerian Society of Cinematographers and signed by Isa Abubakar, President, is preserved among the historical records associated with Frank Ikegwuonu and The Nelas Academy.
The document forms part of the Academy’s broader historical archive documenting the development of Nigerian entertainment, Nollywood, creative industries and the institutional recognition received by the Who’s Who in Nigeria Entertainment initiative during the industry’s formative period.
