Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, on Tuesday visited ailing Nollywood actor, Zack Orji, at a private hospital in Abuja, where he had a brain surgery.

Since he slumped on New Year eve, Orji’s health condition was said to have worsened as he could neither walk nor talk.

The minister was received by the wife of the ailing thespian, Ngozi Orji, and some family members.

According to the minister, the visit was to support the veteran  actor, wish him quick recovery and as well convey the Federal Government’s goodwill to him and his family .

“This is a man that has given his time, his effort not only to make us laugh but to entertain Nigerians for decades.

“He is one of the individuals that was the very foundation of the film industry in Nigeria, and unfortunately, he is having health challenges and had a Neuro surgery.

“The least that we can do as an administration is to give him all the necessary support to ensure that he recovers quickly.

“Neuro surgery is very delicate, so it was important for me not only as a minister of arts, culture and the creative economy but as a Nigerian to visit him.

“For me, it was just a matter of coming to see him and his wife, and we are able to talk today, by God’s mercies, he is alive.

“I want Nigerians to pray for him and do what we can to give the family the necessary support to save his life,” she said.

Musawa explained that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government understands the pivotal role of the creative industries to national economic growth and was committed to the welfare of stakeholders in the sector.

According to her, “the ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, under my watch, is working painstakingly towards ensuring that programmes and policies are in place towards the welfare of industry players.

Musawa, who made a personal donation of an undisclosed amount to support the medical bills of the ailing actor, assured that better days were ahead for Nigerian creatives.

“One of the main initiatives that we have within our ministry is to give welfare, not only to veterans in the industry, but to see how we can give welfare to all members of the industry.

“We understand that the issue of mental health is key in determining the quality of life of members of the society, especially members in this particular industry.

“One of our initiatives in the ministry is  to ensure that we look at and interrogate the different policies in terms of the kind of welfare that we give them and we will be able to run that very soon.

“I can assure you that members of the entertainment industry and of course, members of the arts, culture and creative economy will have full support from this particular administration .

“It is part of the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President to ensure that we give the best and achieve the best in terms of what the industry has to offer,” she said.

Zack Orji, 64,  reportedly slumped at the new year eve and was admitted at the  Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital in Abuja, before he was transferred to a private hospital for the surgery. He could not walk or talk and looked emaciated.

Additional report by NAN