Ibinabo Fiberesima speaks on the many gains of AGN under her leadership

Ibinabo

“My plan is to revamp the guild and bring back love and peace to the guild. We have had enough of these fights. We need to build up our corporate image so that people will see us and identify with us. We need to have a programme for our veterans and see to their welfare. We need to look at the issue of insurance as well as several others things. I understand that my opponent did not take the defeat in good faith but with time, I know that he will come to terms and we will work together as a team. I keep telling them that nobody can fight God, I am not God but I am a child of God.”

The above was the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president, Ibinabo Fiberesima’s statements to SHOWBIZPLUSNG shortly after her swearing in, in November, 2012, after a successful but controversial national election in September of that same year.

About 15 months down the lane, has she been able to revamp the guild? What achievements have been recorded by her administration?

“As much as we were faced with great challenges, I have never been deterred from moving the guild forward within the period in office.

Some of our major achievements include: “The health plan, HMO, has been fully implemented and members are now enjoying it. We have embarked on training and have so far trained members in Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Abuja, Plateau and Nasarawa States, respectively.

Though yet to be fully launched but the benevolent fund for the sick and aged members is functional and few members have benefited. We have also commenced the Film/Drama initiative and some stars have benefited from the fund and are even on location. We are working on the Performers/ Right Society (PRS) which will enable us draw standard contract for our members,” elated Ibinabo said in a recent chat with the press.

Speaking further, she noted: “We have full platform of members database. Our new identity card comes with lifestyle benefits discount for members on travel, holidays, shops on groceries, and restaurants. We are also in the process of acquiring a befitting AGN Headquarters in Abuja courtesy of our Grand Patron, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” she disclosed.  

However, Ibinabo, according to her, inherited a guild bedeviled with numerous challenges. In her words, “I took over the leadership of a guild with enormous challenges and controversies. But whatever the challenges, I’m not deterred; it’s forward ever,” she assured.