AN EXAMINATION ON THE MERITS AND CHALLENGES FACE BY ASSOCIATION OF TIV ACTORS (ATA), A CRITICAL REFLECTION.By: Prince Alaka jnr.

Prince Alaka Gabriel.

Abstract:

Human beings are intellectually born with the rationality of turning experience and Storylines to a fictional studio or theatre recording either by singing or acting the stories, and by so doing they help in reserving the cultural heritage of her people and also increase in promoting the culture of her people.

It is interesting and hu-hom to note that the Tiv people are also blessed in different ways of preserving their cultural heritage through such ways as, acting and singing with most prominent sons like Mikel Tule, Tersoo Adagba, Gabriel Ayoughul late, Saaondu luga, Mbolo, baba Yev and Donald Awamber in the Acting field and comedy which help in promoting and preserving the Tiv Culture.
Talented singers like, Dan Ayo from Saghev nongov, Orduen iKon, Francis Atela, Rapizo, Anongu Data, Kasey, Egyptian Cairo, mike Zulezo late and many others who has and still immensely contributing for cultural promotion and preservation of the Tiv Culture.

INTRODUCTION
The human society precisely in this contemporary era, entertainment industry has shift from unknown to know where people pay bills on their performance.
Actors and actresses has come to enjoy mostly during this contemporary era, the entertainment industry which has different fields but most offently people involved participate in every way the are opportune or enroll has areas like, singing, comedians and actors who all perform stage rolls.
The Entertainment industry also houses people who only direct movies, crew, scriptwriters and many other subjects but just to mention a few.
Examining on the association of Tiv actors popularly know as ATA, the ATA body came into existence on the day of saints valentine celebration which is on the 14/02/2012.
The ATA body which was found on the grounds or purpose of promoting and preserving the historical background and culture of the Tiv people which is lucidly and ho-hum noted, was since then never recorded a historical event that got people chatting, talking and celebrating as the one which was held to train actors and actresses for three days at the capital of Tiv in Gboko under it president John-Paul A Adagu.
As an entertainment body which houses and headed by learned people like John Paul A Adagu, it zee, aim and target was to ever map and be call on among the best industry not just in Nigeria but world wide through it impact and meaning given.
The ATA in April 2023 holds a three days training that train not less than (200) two hundred registered members into acting, crew, film making and producers with certificate of attendance issues to each.
The core purpose and idea of the training was to also engage the Tiv actors and exposed them to the life word of entertainment, which will serve as a means of self employment in other to decrease unemployment rate.
The three days training was Organize by the ATA committee heading body, the ATA members were thought by the Nigerian professional film makers who were invited and funds to teach them
Those who were invited includes the following

1. Paul Apel Papel. a senior movie maker
2. Nazareth Jesse. the vice president actors guild of Nigeria North central.
3. Peter Yev Gande. HOD theatre art college of education Gboko
4. Conan Moses Anyamikyegh. chairman Screenwriters guild of Nigeria Benue chapter; and
5. Bernard Kayla for special effects makeup. Etc
   ATA as a recognize body of actors, having registered it name across all areas of entertainment industry, it is quite bewildered and hurly-burly why the great association still face some quagmire resolvable but not resolve situation, such as lack of partnership, sponsorship/ Finance etc; But before examining on the challenges face by ATA, it will be of great idea to recall us the merits of ATA which is encouraging that every youth should find it worthy of being a member.
   THE MERITS OF ATA
6. It help to preserve the culture of the Tiv people; this is one of the advantageous merit of ATA, the ATA help in preserving the historical background and culture of the Tiv people through acting of traditional movies, religious and worldly movies using the story of a particular history of a selected community or personhood (one with unforgettable values) among the Tiv history. Eg Gbayange Atoor, Kuhwa wannune and Ugba Gwaa Etc.
7. It serve as a mirror to the society; the ATA serve as a mirror to the society following it true show of how life on earth should be and be treated, through acting of movies that display the rarely and exact characters of some people in a given society.
   Folk who watch such movies acted by actors of ATA tends to reflect on their lives and definitely transmogrify to the accepted morals.
8. It help to educate through acting; ATA help in educating and passing morals to the society through acting, most of the movies or comedies acted featuring people like baba Yev, Tersoo Adagba, Gabriel Ayoo the late, and Mbolo only by the jacket of the movie it motivate people to buy it passionately with the believe that moral lessons will be obtain.
9. It help to Restore peace and unity; ATA as a professional body of actors has impacted morals that return peace and unity among different society and countless numbers of household.
   No doubt about the Tiv people on the problem of land just like every other tribe across Nigeria , movies been acted using the stories and ideas and fiction in addition to tell the result about how a person who keep pursuing what is not his and even keep fighting for it result to, which possibly the results tends negative and such movies has help resolve some people lacuna and calamity with others about the problem of land. These are the merits of ATA to the Tiv Nation.
   THE CHALLENGES FACE BY ATA
10. Sponsorship; sponsorship is one of the nagging challenge that occupied the heart of ATA body, it lack of sponsorship has become something else in the Tiv entertainment industry, imagine the ATA body with people who will sponsor her activities like Award night and concert, the body would have map around the country by now, but it lack of sponsorship tends it to be unmapped, this make it existence to be moderate or halfway recognize.
    This is one of the first challenge that ATA is facing since it existence.
    But why reflecting on it, they are some prominent sons whom can sponsor this body to a to a greater height.
11. Partnership; partnership is one among the challenges that ATA is facing as a body of train actors, and this develop as a result of companies and other organizational bodies both within and outside the state as they don’t find ATA worthy of Partnering with.
    But companies and organizations prefer to partnership with outsiders leaving ATA here which has caused ATA nothing but backward.
    So sarcastic and sardonically to note that, ATA as a body of actors, has rich people (sons and daughters) that also has good initiatives both within and outside the state that can partner with ATA and register ATA name in the people hearts across Nigeria.
12. Finance; finance as a major challenge is one of the last on the list to discuss due to it heavy points, because this is where the whole challenges raises or emanate.
    ATA as a body of actors in Tiv land lack financial support since it day of existence, this lack of financial support has keep more sardonical record about the body as the always strive to reach where they suppose to reach, but hence they is no financial support to take them there, they remain where they started; this point is similar to sponsorship.
    Relating, if the members are to be train outside the state, with the hope of them coming back with moral values to impact to the Tiv people and keep the record for our generation to come, ATA as a big acting body in the Tiv land don’t have a bus, nor any other means of convey people to places.
    These and many other challenges which are not listed here, are the major challenges face by the Association of Tiv Actors which if considered by any organization, companies or state government or any one who chose to help will take the ATA body far and beyond Nigeria.
    EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION
    The association of Tiv Actors popularly know as ATA, as clearly examine and discuss above was established as a means of educating and impacting young and old ones not just from the Tiv society but across the whole world on the accepted Norms through acting of movies, comedies and songs that will pass message across human life.
    The ATA body is one of the best thing that ever happened to Tiv people when lamenting on the idea of entertainment, but still they are some challenges which are affecting the progress of ATA as outline above after the merits of ATA.
    It will be of great impact if our people come out massively and support this entertainment body to reach it goal.