The journey of a thousand miles, they say begins with a step. Just like is said that Rome was not built in a day.
The Inauguration of the Crabites Association, the Alumni of the Theatre Arts/Film Studies Department, of the University of Port Harcourt started many years ago.
An Association that boasts of some of the biggest known faces in the Nollywood Industry. Bob Manuel Udokwu, (Living in Bondage/Checkmate) Rita Dominic, Bimbo Manuel ( October 1st), Monalisa Chinda Coker, Charles Inojie (Mr. Johnson of “Johnsons) Ejike Asiegbu, Hilda Dokubo, Ace Director Lancelot Imasuen (De’Gvnor), Sam Dede (Isakaba), Francis Duru (Shanna in Rattlesnake) , Nnenna Okonta (Merit in Living in Bondage) Julius Agwu, Juliet Ibe Martin Abazie, Tonia Nwosu, Endy Ojo, just to mention but a few.
Having appointed the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Body and duly inaugurated the Board last year at Sheraton Hotel and Towers Lagos, with Professor Alex Asigbo of the Theatre Arts Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, outgone President of Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA) and Dr. Edward Imo of the University of Port Harcourt Theatre Arts Department emerging Chairman and Secretary of the BOT.
The stage was therefore set for the Election of the main Executive Council. This took place in early November last year where Mr. Frank Ajua and Mr. James Oparaekeocha emerged as President and Secretary respectively.
Other members of the Executive include 5 Regional Vice Presidents; Mr. Bosoene Tariah Jnr. Vice President South South, Ogechi Ekpe, Vice President South West, Patrick Otoro, Vice President North, Emeka Eni, Vice President South East and Christy Okonji, Vice President Diaspora. Also elected were Linda Ochete, Assistant Secretary, Anthony Adimora Chima Financial Secretary, Hon. Nengi Rufus Spiff Treasurer, Owumi Ajueshi Ejidiran, Social Secretary, Ify Nnama Welfare Secretary and Kester Oshionrame, Publicity Secretary.
Inaugurating the new Executive, the BOT Chairman, Professor Alex Asigbo Congratulated them and charged them to overlook the tension generated during the election and move forward.
He specifically advised them to take another look at the Constitution of the Association to make it more Welfarists in nature.
The BOT Chairman administered the Oat of Office and allegience to them. Earlier in his hand over note.
In his handover address, the outgone Chairman, Interim Executive Committee, (IEC) Mr. Leo Isi Irabo, a London based Crabite, read on his behalf, by the Vice Chairman of the IEC, Dr. Friday Nwafor said the journey was a long one and thanked all those who contributed in one way or the other to get the Association thus far. He said the greatest achievement of the IEC was the establishment of a solid Board of Trustees, drawn from across various professions. He urged the new Executive to see every Crabite as a member of the same family, urging them to reach out to all stakeholders and ensure the Association remains together.
In his Inaugural speech, the Pioneer President Mr. Frank Ajua said Crabites Worldwide remains one United family and promised that the new Exco will take the Association to greater heights in Nigeria and beyond that everyone will be proud of. He assured that the new Exco will always carry everyone along as we remain one Crabite family.
Other Speakers include Professor Henry Leopold Belgam, who said he is always proud of his students from the Theatre Arts/Film Department of the University of Port Harcourt, stressing that the formation of the Association is the best thing that has happened in the Department. Professor Emmanuel Calvin Emasealu congratulated the new Executive, while charging them to show quality and purposeful leadership.
He urged every Crabite to join hands with the new Executive to achieve their set goals. He gave instances of how some of his students received him in far and wide places like America, England, South Africa etc. He however protested that lecturers who have been in the Department for decades cannot be left out as members of the Association, and urged the new Executive to reconsider that position in the Constitution. In appreciation of the Inauguration, Professor Emasealu instituted three prizes in the names of Prof Ola Rotimi, for Best graduating Directing Student, Prof Henry Belgam for best graduating Acting and Prof Alex Asigbo for best graduating student in Script Writing. Each of the prizes is redeemable with One hundred Thousand Naira annually.
The Head of Department of Theatre Arts/Film Studies, Rev. Fr Dr. Ebere Uwa Expressed happiness with the success of building the Association adding that the Department has long wished for this to become a reality. He assured of the Department’s coorperation.
In his Vote of Thanks, the Secretary, James Oparaekocha said not withstanding that the Inauguration has taken place, that the real work has just begun. He therefore urged every Crabite to fold their sleeves and get ready to work, because it’s a collective responsibility, which should not be left for the new Executive alone.
Onbehalf of the his fellow Executive members, he promised that the new Exco will not fail. A dinner was organized for the guests as they watched Nigeria demolish Sudan in the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament taking place in Cameroon.
