Stakeholders inaugurate “Save a Soul’’ campaign for ailing Nollywood actors

The campaign was organised by Filmmakers Welfare Organisation of Nigeria (FWON) in collaboration with Brekete Family, a popular radio reality show that addresses humanitarian and other issues.

Mr Sunday Awoji, the National President of FWON said that the rally was to raise funds for the medical treatment of two Nollywood actors: Prince James Uche and Romanus Amunta, popularly known as Natty.

“They have been very sick and incapacitated for some years now, and it has become obvious that they can’t provide the required funds themselves to have the necessary medical treatment.

“Therefore, FWON as an NGO within Nollywood that seeks to ensure the wellbeing of filmmakers, especially on health related issues, decided to intervene,” he said.

According to Awoji, veteran actor Uche is presently hospitalised in Lagos due to kidney related ailment, and urgently needs to be taken to India for a transplant.

Amunta is also critically down with paralysis in Enugu State.

According to medical experts, the two of them need about N15 million to secure adequate medical treatment.

“We have decided to cry out to Nigerians of goodwill, and everyone who loves Nollywood to give towards saving these precious souls,’’ he pleaded.

He noted that FWON decided to solicit for support from Brekete Family in whichever way possible, and it gladly offered to assist in raising the money.

“In our helpless situation, without a voice, we decided to run to Brekete family which gladly accepted to champion this course,” Awoji said.

In his remarks, Ordinary Ahmed Isah, the President of Brekete Family, who led the rally along some major roads in the FCT, urged everyone to be their brothers keepers and contribute towards the appeal fund.

Veteran actor Bruno Iwuoha, who led other Nollywood stars to the event, thanked everyone who came out to rally support for the ailing stars.

He, however, appealed to those who made promises to ensure they redeemed them so that the artistes could receive the needed treatment as soon as possible, as their health was already in critical stage.

“Only us in Nollywood cannot do it; we therefore need the help of everyone as quickly as possible to save our brothers.”
He added that the fund-raising rally which started on Friday, would end on Sunday stressed the need for everyone to be part of it.

Agility Onwura, the Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), FCT chapter and his Sokoto State counterpart, Mrs Zenith Abubakar, were present at the rally.

The rally which took off from the Unity Fountain Maitama, saw concerned Nigerians carrying placards.

Some of the inscriptions on the placard read: “Save James Uche from kidney problem”, “Give money to save our Nollywood stars”.