Entertainment Industry Can Boost Economy- DG

The Director General, Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr Emeka Mba said in Lagos that the entertainment industry could boost the nation’s economy if well managed.

Mba stated this at the premiere of a film: “Red Hot Nigerian Creativity’’ held on Wednesday night by Communicating for Change (CFC). It was to honour creative artistes.

He said that in spite of the financial problems and piracy challenges in the Nigerian film industry, artistes and stakeholders had been able to bring out blockbuster movies.

“We want people to know that they can make more money in Nigeria through the entertainment sector. This is one of the ways the country’s economy can be enhanced.

“Entertainment is not just for fun but a way of life, of history and culture, documented for reminisce,’’ he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s culture should be projected in film, dance, theatre and music to tell our own story to the outside world.

Mba added that entertainment could also be used as a tool to correct the ills of the society and send out messages for change.

He commended CFC for being in the forefront of filming the ills of the society and proffering ways to curb them, especially among youths.

“We at the NFVCB are looking for ways to partner with the entertainment industry, not to sponsor but to use it to project the country to the world,” Mba said.

On the problem of piracy, he said: “artistes go through a lot to put their creative ingenuity together without reaping much’’.

He said, however, that the board was looking for ways to curb piracy and ensure that artistes reap the fruit of their labour.

He said more stakeholders should produce films such as “Red Hot Nigerian Creativity” to honour people that had contributed to the art and entertainment industry.

CFC Managing Director, Mrs Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago said CFC decided to use the film to bring out important social messages that address human and national challenges and how to solve them.

She noted that the media, government, civil society, academia and private organisations could help tell these stories truthfully.

She explained that “Red Hot Nigerian Creativity” is about the life of heroes who were not acknowledged because of the complex and difficult realities of Nigeria’s road to development.

“The documentary series is CFC’s attempt at building a bridge of understanding, appreciation and support for our under-served artistic community and the entertainment industry,’’ she said.

Mr Alex Oti, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, one of the sponsors of the documentary, promised to assist the industry to develop.

He said what the artistic world needed was sponsorship which the bank was ready to give.

Our correspondent reports that some of those featured in the documentary are Bruce Onobrakpeya, a visual artist; TY Bello, a musician and photographer.

Others were Cobhams Asuquo, a musical producer; Omotshola Isueli a.k.a. Tee Mac, a musician; Nigeria’s first female drummer, Ara; Julius Agwu, a comedian; Stephanie Okereke, a producer and actress; and Tunde Kelani, a movie producer.