…makes first appearance as speaker at CANEXWKND 2022 Months After Rumoured Mental Breakdown
Ndifreke Jacob, Uyo.
Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji has called on critical stakeholders involved in the cultural and creative industry to reposition the industry for transformational change.
The Nollywood veteran actress made the call on Saturday, 26th November in Abidjan while giving a speech at the CANEX WKND 2022.
The actress who made her first appearance after months of rumoured mental breakdown noted that Africa is a fertile ground for the harvesting and exploring of creatives and talents.
WATCH VIDEO OF GENEVIEVE’s TALK HERE:
Recall, in May 2022 there were speculations of the actress battling a mental breakdown after she unfollowed everyone on her list and went solo.
Nnaji had despite the rumours maintained a low profile which kept fans and netizens concerned especially as she was absent from top event of fellow colleagues in the industry.
However, the actress announced her presence back in the public space while speaking on the importance of film industry to the development of Africa.
The event, Creactive Africa Nexus (CANEX WKND 2022) is a gathering of Africa’s smart minds, creative stakeholders, business and political leaders, captain of industries, leaders in the cultural industry and policy makers who drive and influence change in the creative industry.
Speaking on the importance of film industry to Africa’s development, Nnaji noted that Africa has profound cultural legacy that can have great impact if harnessed.
She said, “Africa has a profound, beautiful and influential cultural legacy. A cultural legacy that’s worth trillions yet Africa’s share of it is only one percent and this is where we have the possibility of having the greatest impact.”
Nnaji noted that to harness and tap from the huge resource and human capital reserve in Africa, critical stakeholders involved in the cultural and creative industry, we must actively engage and leverage on how we change the existing structure to realize a dynamic and creative ecosystem in Africa.
The Nollywood diva maintained that Africa must begin to reposition its creatives by creating a transformational shift in Africa’s ability to create new roles for its teeming young population.
She added, “by positioning creatives and the creative economy at the centre of Africa’s development agenda, reset the table for transformational shift in the continent’s ability to create new role and opportunity for the youth that make up over 60% of its population.”
The event which is a three-day workshop and networking platform had other speakers like Hollywood actor, Idris Elba and Award winning writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The event was organized by Africa Export Import Bank in collaboration with the government of Cote d’Ivoire.
