One of the hottest comedians in Nollywood, Mr. Francis Duru, on Monday concluded a three-day visit to The Gambia as an advance mission to the arrivals of Aki & Pawpaw, Nkem Uwoh and Mama G to the Smiling Coast in July.

The visit of Francis, in his own words, was intended, among other things, to bolster up public confidence in the impending visits of three other maestros in Nollywood.

During his visit to The Gambia, Francis Duru used the visit to rub minds and shoulders with Gambian artists and had also paid courtesy calls on the Gambia’s Secretary of State for Information, officials of the Nigerian High Commision in Banjul as well as Comium.

In his meeting with the Nigerian High Commisioner to The Gambia, Francis pointed out that the stance of Nigeria in the sub-region is in tune with the ECOWAS objective of sub-regional integration.

“ We in the Nollywood saw the absolute necessity to promote cultural encounters, build capacities to expand the entertainment industry, nurture and foster favourable trade links and social intercourse,” he posited.

For her part, the Nigerian High Commisioner to The Gambia, H.E. Esther (Mrs) John Audu, thanked Francis for coming to Gambia to prepare the ground for the coming into the country of Aki & Pawpaw, Mama G and Nkem Uwoh as part of celebrations marking this year’s July 22 anniversary.

“July 22 is a day for us all to celebrate. Nigerians listening to me will know that The Gambia is peaceful, security ensured. We are all proud to be part of the July 22 celebrations. We are proud to be directly involved in it,” added she.

Meanwhile, Francis, accompanied on his tour by Dr. Samuel Wilcox, J.O. Owobodo and a media contingent, was invited to The Gambia by Chartered House Productions and Tradeplus outfits.