Few days after the impeachment of the National Public Relations Officer of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Frank Dallas, the guild, as resolved by its National Executive Council, NEC, has also announced the suspension of six of its erring members over alleged anti guild’s activities.
During a recent press parley held at the guild’s secretariat in Surulere, Lagos, the president, Ibinabo Fiberesima, surrounded by members of her executives pronounced names of the affected members to include: Don Pedro Aganbi, Stella Marris, Doris Ambros, Fred Ekata, Saint Mathew and Tunde Talabi.
In her words: “The NEC will no longer tolerate any act of indiscipline from members. How can someone lose an election and instead of accepting defeat decided to declare himself winner, thereby parading himself as Chairman of Lagos chapter of the guild. If you are not pleased with the election result, the right thing to do is to petition the NEC to look into it. Till today, the NEC has not received any petition from Don Pedro. And for such act, the guild has resolved to suspend him with effect from today, June 15,” Ibinabo stated, further noting that the other members suspended did not even contest an election but apportioned different offices to themselves.She also disclosed that the former National Secretary of the Guild, Emeka Rollas, is currently being investigated for series of fraudulent acts allegedly committed during his tenure, while the immediate past Lagos chapter chairman, Emeka Rising is also being probed.
Immediately after her speech, which was highly applauded, Ibinabo surprised all present by handing over a cheque of five hundred thousand Naira (N500, 000) to the Lagos state chapter of the body, to enable them carry on with their developmental plans for members and stakeholders.
According to her, the money was generated through registrations and revalidations of members, prior to the chapter’s recent election.
In another development, the newly elected chairman of the Screen Actors Guild, Foluke Daramola announced the readiness of the body to hold the maiden edition of the Screen Actors Award in October, at a yet to be disclosed venue.
Pretty and har working Ibinabo reiterated her commitment to reviving and sanitizing the guild. “I inherited a guild bedeviled with numerous challenges. It was all about controversies when I took over. But today, the difference is clear. We have achieved a lot, but the truth is that we are just starting. I’m poised to achieve more. Whatever the challenges, I’m not deterred; it’s forward ever,” she assured.