President Goodluck Jonathan Host Nollywood Stars To A Dinner To Mark Nollywood at 20.

President Goodluck Jonathan hosted several Nollywood practitioners to a dinner at the State House, Marina, Lagos to celebrate Nollywood at 20.

The president who expressed appreciation to Nollywood for standing by his family when he lost his brother Meni Jonathan, noted that the event was supposed to hold then but was postponed.

In his remarks, President Jonathan noted three major endeavours that easily unite Nigerians – Music, Sports and Nollywood - which he said of the movie industry:

“Whenever I travel abroad, many of my colleagues, Presidents of other countries, ask me about Nollywood. Nollywood is our shining light. Africans are very proud of Nollywood. That is why we are here today to celebrate the success story of this national, continental and global brand.”

The event which had in attendance Nollywood Big Wigs  such as , Desmond Elliot, Genevieve Nnaji, Chidi Mokeme, Aki and Paw Paw, Olu and Joke Jacobs, Segun Arinze, Stephanie Linus, Patience Ozokwor, Zack Orji, Madam Kofo, Chiwetalu Agu, Cynthia Amadi, Amaka Igwe, Dickson Iroegbu, Zeb and Chico Ejiro, Kunle Afolayan, Tunde Kelani, Andy Chukwu and several others.

President Jonathan also unveiled a pictorial book titled 'Icons of Nollywood' - and he promised to pump N3 billion into Nollywood in order to empower the industry. Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio promised to finance a N50million 'Goodluck Jonathan Prize Award' which will be shared by the best Nollywood actor, actress, film maker and other award categories.