Economic Diversification: Film industry should be on FG economic recovery plan -MD Film Institute
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, has stated that if Nigeria must move away from dependence on oil and diversifying its economy to increase GDP, create job and bring prosperity to its teeming south, the motion picture industry must be on the economic recovery plan of the federal government.
Maduekwe, who made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Jos on Tuesday, said on assumption of office two month ago, the management of the corporation took some decisions to fast track the development of the Nigerian motion picture industry with the view to addressing the needs of the sector.
According to him, the corporation has embarked on diagnostic visit of web of film production activities across the length and breadth of the country as well as some other government agencies at the state and federal level to seek for their collaboration.
The chief executive further noted that the interactions with stakeholders has been largely successful stressing that they have gotten reassuring reactions, commitment and positive indications of good will as they open up the space for all stakeholders to have a place in their renewed effort of repositioning the Nigerian motion picture industry for greater achievement.
In his words ‘As a corporation we are more than determined to bring to bare our statutory responsibilities in the industry and bring on board programme and activities that will sustain the enviable gains recorded.”
According to him this is especially so with glamour for diversification of the economy in the face of recession and no doubt the film industry has undeniably significant role to play.
He pointed out that at the heart of a renaissance for the industry are training, skill acquisition manpower development and professionalism saying the corporation has provided responsible leadership in this regard in the last 20 years.
The managing director further noted that the corporation remain committed to upgrading standards of facilities, training and man power at the institute in their desire to make it a reference film schools in Africa.
