A new association formed to represent the interest of movie producers in Nigeria was unveiled to the media yesterday in Lagos.

Known as the Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), the body was inaugurated in August 2009 as a result of the crisis that rocked the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) last year.

The president of ANCOP, Mr. Alex Eyengho, while briefing newsmen, said ANCOP was formed to represent the interest of all stakeholders in the entertainment industry as well as to promote professionalism.

“Apart from the fact that ANCOP is set to practice in accordance with the highest professional standards, its main aims and objectives include but not limited to the following: to represent and promote the interest of members of the Nigeria movie industry, to encourage professionalism, to assist in the fight against piracy, to ensure adequate training and education of members, to collaborate, affiliate, align and co-operate with local and international organisations with similar objectives,” Eyengho said.

The president of the new body also said ANCOP was formed to protect and advance the socio-economic interest of the association as well as to create a platform for the advancement of the individual and collective interest of members.

“Dissatisfied with the level of professionalism among producers in the industry, particularly in the English language arm, the creation of this association is the unanimous decision of Nollywood content owners of like minds who believe in adopting policies that stimulate and deepen the development of film making in Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” Eyengho remarked.

Asked if the new body is not a duplication of the Association of Movie Producers, Eyengho said ANCOP is not a parallel or a splinter group and that it is registered under the laws of the land as an independent organisation.

“We don't have any deal with AMP. AMP is AMP, ANCOP is ANCOP. we have decided as producers, as content owners.”

In any case, there is freedom of association as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our umbilical cord is not tied to AMP or any other association for that matter. We have decided to take our destinies as professionals, as entrepreneurs, as content owners in our own hands, which we think cannot be guaranteed or safeguarded any longer in AMP,” Eyengho averred.

Distinguished guests on the occasion included Chief Chris Ekejimbe, Chief Maduchi Chikwendu, former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria Mr. Ejike Asiegbu, Chief Oyin Okoye aka Igwe Gabosky and Mr. Dickson Iruoegbu.