Dear Nigerians, today is a big day in our country—it is the celebration of our independence. Accept my sincere congratulations.

The Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN) congratulates the good people of Nigeria on the celebration of the 63rd anniversary of independence. We wish the country and her citizens present happiness and future prosperity.

At this juncture, it is critical for us to reflect on the state of the country’s creative and economic situation, and it is incumbent on us to find solutions to our own problems that are at once practical and responsive to our peculiar situation. We in the Guild are not in doubt that, with cooperation on all sides, it should not be difficult for us to achieve our dreams as a nation.

It is important to reiterate that until we institute a culture of respect for our democratic system of electing our leaders, to paraphrase the words of Emperor Haile Selassie I, "the desire for sustainable development and prosperity will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained”.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us not forget the sacrifices made by our founding fathers and the heroes who fought for our freedom. Their bravery and determination have paved the way for us to enjoy the privileges we have today. We must honour their memory by working towards a Nigeria that thrives on unity, justice, and progress.

Today, I call on the creative industry and all Nigerians to join hands in building a society where every citizen has equal opportunities, access to quality education, healthcare, and a thriving economy. Let us champion peace, unity, and tolerance, embracing our diversity as a source of strength.

In conclusion, let us not lose sight of the fact that our collective future lies in our hands. Together, we can build a prosperous creative industry in Nollywood and Nigeria that generations will be proud of.

May peace and prosperity return to our country so we can all celebrate her greatness again. May God bless the creative industry, may God bless Nigeria, and may God bless us all.

Thank you, and happy Independence celebrations!

Dr. Victor Okhai
President,
Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN)