OWERRI, 18/05/2023

 

The Chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Imo State Chapter, Ms. Nneoma Ukpabi has on behalf of the guild, rejoiced with Mr. Innocent Nwobu on his recent admission into the prestigious Ajalija traditional group, and his conferment with the title of Umunna Nwezuoaku (meaning: I wish all my kinsmen to be prosperous). She also thanked him for his unwavering support to African youths, and prayed that he would do more in Imo State.

Speaking to newsmen after a robust award dinner reception held in honour of Mr. Innocent Nwobu and organized yesterday by the Union of Imo Entertainers at Rockview Hotel Owerri, the Imo State Capital, the popular guild Chairman and notable screen diva praised Mr. Nwobu for embarking on and completing a 2-year project that saw to the empowerment of 500 Imo youths, even when he was not from the state. Ms. Ukpabi described Mr. Innocent Nwobu who is the Chief Executive Officer of Juicy Biz Entertainment Limited, as a Nollywood godfather Imo State could not afford to lose. In her words, “providing training to and gainful employment in the film making and digital creation industry for 500 youths at the same time in Imo State is no mean feat.

“When he told the Guild of his plans in 2021, the State Working Committee was somewhat skeptical at first having witnessed a lot of failed promises. However, as the plans unfolded with the making of films like ‘Against the Throne’, ‘Tanaka’, and several others, it became clear that Innocent Nwobu is one African whose humanitarian gestures knew no bounds.

“The way his team organized the training sessions and production, making sure every participant was well engaged and properly remunerated, was in fact breathtaking.

“When the guild investigated him in the beginning so as to protect members, it was discovered that he is a genuine humanitarian who uses his resources and extensive contacts with development agencies to improve the wellbeing of others in society.

“Innocent Nwobu has provided scholarships to less privileged but brilliant children and youths both in Nigeria and Ghana. He has also built houses for some homeless people, and his interests in agriculture lead him to acquire land for farming to further expand his job creation and bumper harvest visions. He works partnerships with development organizations and other relevant agencies whenever necessary to speak truth to power, and to drive his vision of seeing other people around him happy.

“Today, he has promised that though he is not a politician, he has a mission to empower a total of 10,000 Africans before the end of 2026, with a significant portion of the beneficiaries coming from both Imo and Anambra States. We in Imo say we are always ready to work with him”.

Nwobu is the Managing Director of JB Cosmetics, and JB Properties; and his business interests span across movie making and distribution, publishing, farming, real estate, and beauty products, in Nigeria and Ghana. He is known for films like “Co-Tenants” which he produced in 2022 and “The Birthday” (produced in 2023), both directed by Evans Anaele (ANMD).

 

SIGNED:

 CHUMA MMEKA

Director of Communication / PRO

AGN Imo State