As reported by This Day Live, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria's Governors Forum (NGF), Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, announced yesterday that at least 500 top film producers, actors, and key figures from the film industry will gather in Ilorin, the state capital, this November for the 16th edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards.

Governor AbdulRazaq made this statement while receiving the hosting rights for the awards at the iconic Sugar Factory Film Studio in Ilorin. He noted that the studio has been established to elevate the Nigerian creative industry with cutting-edge post-production capabilities.

“We are honoured to be given the hosting rights for this year's event (Best of Nollywood Award).

“As you can see, Kwara is ready to dominate the film industry. The intention for this Sugar Factory Film Studio is to take film production in Nigeria to another level.

“What we have seen in Africa and globally is that what we are producing (in Nigeria) are mostly videos.

“We want to move to another level of cinematography so that we can win global awards in film production. This is a reason for this facility,” he said.

The brief ceremony was attended by top government officials and some Nollywood stars from within and outside the state.

AbdulRazaq, however, said hosting the BON Award would further market the Sugar Factory Film Studio to the movie industry, whose legends were coming for the event later this year.

“This is stage one of this facility. We intend to go to stage two and three, but we want stage one to be put in use.

“So, marketing this studio to the film industry is part of hosting this event and we will be glad to welcome at least 500 of the top film producers and active members of the film industry that day.

“Kwara State is the place to be. We know that this place will definitely be a catalyst for future production in the film industry. I welcome you to Kwara and to the future in the movie industry in Nigeria.”

He said the state was intentional about building a strong service and hospitality economy in phases to draw in quality human traffic, adding that, facilities like the Film Factory, visual arts centre, international conference centre, and the Kwara Hotel were a part of the plan.

Earlier, the Managing Director, Sugar Factory Film Studio Olugbenga Titiloye, commended the governor for the huge investment in the facility and others, which he said would generate employment and revenue for the strategy.

He said Kwara was picked to organise the next event because of its peaceful atmosphere and the exceptional investments of the administration in the creative industry.

He said the Best of Nollywood Awards has always been a big event, and that close to 500 top film producers would attend the next edition in Kwara.