Ibinabo Sets Up Benevolent Fund

Worried by the embarrassment caused by the way Nollywood actors beg for money from members of the public anytime they have serious ailments, the President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima has set up a fund called ‘Benevolent Fund’. Ibinabo disclosed recently that the fund will support actors who have worked in the entertainment industry and have fallen on hard times. The ex-beauty queen stated that she her position as the AGN boss has made her to be involved in very touching sad stories of some actors’ in need of funds to cater for themselves. She expressed joy with the way some influential people in the society have embraced the idea. “Ironically, members of the general public look at the industry in terms of success, money and awards, but we know it’s a very precarious profession. You find yourself in dark periods, when you are ill and feeling very alone. “It can sometimes be even worse if you are well known because you are still stopped on the streets, but you may be facing serious challenges that are not known to the people. “What this profession has as its hearts is a bond between groups of people working together on a project. You can’t work in isolation and we need to support each other in bad times too. That’s why I believe in this project,” Ibinabo narrated. She further added that, “the Benevolent Fund will be granted to revalidated members of the guild who require medical attention or are otherwise prevented from working by circumstances beyond their control.” Ibinabo then appealed to well meaning individuals, who wish to donate to the fund, to direct such to the guild’s office on Ajao Road in Surulere, Lagos. Story by Osaremen Ehi James/Nigeriafilms.com