"By the time we clock 100 days in office, the health
insurance and the pension scheme would have been in place. As I speak, I’m just
waiting for the data to ascertain how many actors and actresses who are members
of the AGN”.
The above quote was Ibinabo Fiberesima’s words when she was
inaugurated as the first AGN female president at Rumours Club, Ikeja, Lagos, on
Sunday, November 4, 2012.
On February 14, 2013, her tenure clocked 100 days. Our private
investigation shows that though the health scheme has not yet been fully
implemented, there is a big headway in the project. We also found out that much
has been done by the present administration to accomplish the task.
Some of the actors contacted by Nigeriafilms told us that
though the scheme seems slow, there is light after the tunnel. Most of them
spoke to us under the condition of anonymity. They all agreed that the health
scheme introduced by Ibinabo is a welcome idea for Nollywood.
When contacted to know why the promised made by her over 100
days ago has not yet been fully achieved, Ibinabo, in an exclusive chat with
Nigeriafilms, highlighted the challenges being faced by her administration to
have fully implemented the health scheme she promised during her inauguration
in the presence of top Nollywood A-listers like Genevieve Nnaji and others
present that day.
According to her, “we have sealed the HMO (Health
Maintenance Organisation). Life Insurance is taking a bit of time because they
(HMO) need our dates of birth. I also have started collecting database of
actors in Nigeria.”
Ibinabo also revealed that, “I try as much to stick to my
promises. It’s hard when people don’t conform. You must understand that.
“I have been visiting veterans around the country to
convince them why the health plan and insurance is paramount. We are getting
there.”
When confronted to know why members were not conforming to
such scheme as she alleged, and responses so far, Ibinabo told Nigeriafilms
that “we got different packages for different categories as it affects the
actor.
“It starts from N13,000 a year to N16,000 a year. We also
have N40,000 a year package. It is a fair deal. It covers quite a lot of
medicals.
“We also have free medical checks for our members as well.
Not only veterans have the problem of lack of money and jobs. It’s a general
situation. Because producers use their ‘own’ people for jobs instead of AGN
members.”
You will recall that some veterans in the Nigerian movie
industry have sometimes resorted the public to solicit for held for medical
treatments.
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