Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has once again made headlines after receiving the prestigious Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence at the ongoing Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos.
The award, which also honoured Vice President Kashim Shettima, celebrates individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industry.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori expressed heartfelt gratitude to the AFRIFF organisers and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the arts. Onyeme described the honour as both humbling and inspiring, noting that Delta State will continue to champion creativity and nurture talent development across the state.
He pointed out that Delta State has long been a major force in Nigeria’s entertainment scene, producing some of the nation’s most gifted actors, filmmakers, and musicians. In his words, “Delta is widely known for its remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Many of the creative talents driving this sector come from our state, and we remain fully committed to supporting the film industry both in Nigeria and across Africa.”
Onyeme also emphasized the state government’s ongoing initiatives to grow the creative economy, noting that Delta continues to offer a peaceful and business-friendly environment for investments in entertainment, film production, and related sectors. He added that the previous administration established a world-class entertainment complex equipped with film studios, cinemas, and recreational facilities for children.
In his remarks, Pastor Shingle Wigwe, father of the late Herbert Wigwe, praised AFRIFF for creating an award in his son’s memory, describing the festival as an important platform for advancing Africa’s creative industry.
He expressed pride and joy at the remarkable progress of Nigeria’s film and entertainment sector. “Seeing this event today fills me with happiness. When I retired from the Nigerian Television Authority, there were no film festivals in the country. What I see here is a true marketplace of ideas and creativitya vibrant hub for Africa,” he said.
Pastor Wigwe further noted that AFRIFF has become a powerful force driving Nigeria’s economic growth and global image. “This festival is helping to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and elevate our international reputation. It’s truly heartwarming to witness how far our creative landscape has come,” he added.
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