Nollywood Conquers Movies World …As Marketer Tasks Rivers On Film Production

It  is quite obvious that the
Nigerian movie industry popularly known as Nollywood has conquered the movie world judging by the popularity Nigerian film enjoy world wide.
Apart from the fact that Nollywood is not only the leading movie industry in Africa, but third in the world after Hollywood of America and Bollywood of India, it has been ascertained by a recent report that Europe and America spend over $190m annually on Nigerian movies as against that of other countries which is comparatively lower.
This was disclosed at a workshop in Abuja organised by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) to discuss the frame work for effective distribution and marketing network for Nigerian Film and Video industry.
It has been observed that probably, the impressive performance of Nollywood films in the Global Film arena may be due to the change of name from the former Nigeria Actors Guild (NAG) to Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in the mid 1980s.
As at then, some people saw NAG as an Igbo affair and distanced themselves from the group while others dismissed it as an assembly of untrained practitioners and riff-raffs, but today, AGN has proved the detractors wrong.
The body has not only become a major influence on the socio-economic and political landscape of Nigeria, but a dependable revenue earner for the country as well as employers of labour.
The AGN has also succeeded in relegating to the background, foreign films especially the Indian and Chinese films which impacted negatively on Nigerian youths, our socio-political belief and even threatened the nations economy in the early 70s and 80s.
Today, their patronage have waned considerably while the Nigerian home videos have taken over he centre stage not only in Africa but in other developed countries of the world.
The Guild has also recorded other remarkable achievements which include a decent dress code for movie practitioners, befitting secretariat rehersal hall, modern office equipment and furniture as well as creation of wealth for movie directors, producers actors and actresses.
Today, the movie industry is the richest and lucrative sectors of the Nigerian economy.
However, a Port Harcourt based movie marketer, Chief Desmond Igwe, has called on film makers in Rivers State to emulate their counterparts in Enugu and Asaba, Delta State, which are now a haven for movie producers who produce films almost on daily basis and for the top actors and actresses, all roads lead to these states.
He said while the producers, actors and actresses make their millions, the producers also provide employment opportunities for their youths and equally boost the economy of their states.
He said Rivers State that occupies an enviable position in the entertainment industry in Nigeria should not be left out of the action.
In one of our interviews with the Chairman of Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Rivers State Chapter, Engr. Reginald Orlu, said in Rivers State the home video business is one of the fastest growing business ventures, but most of the operators deal on pirated materials which had led to occasional raids by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Nigerian Copy Right Commission (NCC).
He said apart from the fraudulent activities of the pirates, the state has contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian movie industry as most of the key players most of the key players are indigenes of the state while others passed through Rivers State to stardom. Some others passed through UNIPORT.
Among the indigenes movie stars that hold sway in Nollywood are milliscant Jack, Huda Dokubo, Ibinabo Fibaresima the current AGN President, Tomto Dike, Monalisa Chinda, Mauren Ihua Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Sam Dede, Larry Briggs, Columbus Irogoanga and a host of others while those who passed through state are Ejike Asiegbu former AGN President, Clems Ohameze, Sunny Mc don among others.
The AMP Chairman noted that dispute these laudable contributions to the growth of Nollywood most producers shy away from shooting films in Rivers State.
According to him, the state has good locations Hotels and beautiful houses, but it is very expensive to shoot films were compared to Lagos Enugu and Asaba.
He stressed that although the state has not achieved much in the area of film production they have capable hands in that field. He disclosed that the state has over 24 movie producers and about 2000 talcuted actors and actresses. He noted that with conducive environment, necessary financial assistance and logistic support, no state can beat Rivers in film production.