Nollywood stars are Nigeria’s greatest ambassadors - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday described actors and actresses as the greatest ambassadors of the country.

He said players in the industry that is popularly known as Nollywood have consistently been bringing glory to the country.


Jonathan spoke while playing host to a group, Legends of Nollywood, led by Mr. Paul Obazele, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during which he was honoured with the award of Grand Patriarch of Nollywood.

He said while the glory being brought to the country through soccer had been on and off, the Nollywood stars were doing the country proud every time.

He said, “There are so many good stories about you (Nollywood stars). For us who by divine providence and your own will, made us to be here this time, you are our pride, you are our stars.

“In fact, you are the greatest ambassadors of this country. This is because the Nollywood family has really helped to bring good image to this country.

“Before now, we were known for soccer. After sometime, we started fumbling. Today we are on top, the next day, we are down.

“Since Nollywood came on board, you have been quite steady and you have been bringing good image to this country.”

Jonathan likened the Nollywood story to the biblical story of creation where God made a pronouncement that there should be light and there was light.

He said the industry was created from a humble beginning when people did not expect any spectacular thing to a very formidable body, being the second in the world.

The President expressed delight that the commercial of the industry has now become an integral party of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product

He said he remained committed to giving government support to the industry.

While describing the award plaque given to him as precious, he said it would be one of the items in the presidential museum he would establish after leaving office.

While also agreeing with the group on the plan to establish a Hall of Fame for actors and actresses, Jonathan said he also muted the idea as the Bayelsa State governor.

He said his position then was that it was better to also establish a Hall of Shame alongside Hall of Fame.

He said the Hall of Shame would deter citizens from taking wrong steps like stealing among other social vices.

Earlier, Obazele had said the group decided to give Jonathan the award because of the legendary support he has been giving the industry since his days as deputy governor of Bayelsa State.

He said no Nigerian President has ever given the motion industry such a support.

“No government has shown special interest in our industry like yours,” he said.