The preference of Nigerian artistes and video producers for the South African studios and locations and in others countries has made the Nigeria economy to be denied the multiplier effect in revenue and growth.
But the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has risen to the challenge, with the signing of deal with CNC of France.
In this interview at his Asaga Ohafia country home, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Film Corporation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe outlines how entertainment industry is solving the country’s unemployment problems. He spoke with our correspondent, Dan Maduagwu.
Excerpt:
Q: Can we meet you
Ans: I am Dr. Chidia Maduekwe. I am a Medical Doctor by profession but today, I am the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Film Corporation, a body charged with planning, promotion and organising integrated and efficient growth and development of Nigerian Film industry, including training and support for Nigerian Film makers. NFC was established in 1979.
Q: You are a medical doctor and today, you are in charge of film corporation, what does the task look like?
Ans: Well, I have been a rural man. I chose to do my medical services here in my place Ohafia even when the lure to base in major cities were there.
I preferred to concentrate on my area to run my Kesandu Rural Mobile Medical( KRMM) and based on my closeness to my people, they elected me to represent them at the National Assembly at that time. But presently, am saddled with the responsibility of repositioning the Nigerian industry in Nigeria
Q: What achievements have your office made since your appointment?
Ans: Nigeria Film Corporation under my watch has recorded a lot of milestones. First, entertainment industry has become the second largest job creating industry in Nigeria today.
Nigerian music is making wave all over the world and Nigeria music are also in high demand and consumption. And you know that there can never be a good music without a good video.
Q: How has the NFC done in this direction?
Ans: Thank you. We realized that in recent past, Nigerians went to South Africa to shoot and produce short videos and some other videos. Maybe because of quality of video, location, equipment, or directors.
They spent a lot of money going to South Africa when the money should have been invested here in Nigeria. But with the mandate and support of President Mohammadu Buhari to create jobs for the youths, NFC is reversing this situation.
Q: What is the implication to the country’s film industry?
Ans: We have done a lot to reverse the trend. In fact, the Nigerian Film Corporation has signed multi-billion naira -worth audio visual co-production deal with France for the transformation of film industry in Nigeria.
The deal involves training and retraining of producers, artistes, production, equipment, quality improvement etc.
This deal will create uncountable jobs in entertainment sector and position Nigerian videos for leadership in global market and Nigerian economy would bubble in revenue net from film industry while quantum of jobs would be created for Nigerians.
We are also establishing talent discovery/education and mobile video production centres in various States of the federation.
We have also established NFC cinematography centres in Ohafia, my hometown. NFC offices have also been opened in Umuahia, Asaba and Yola.
Q: When fully operationalized and harnessed, how will the Nigerian economy benefit?
Ans: Like I said earlier, the entertainment industry in Nigeria has become the second job creating sector in Nigeria. Our videos are making waves. They are high in demand and our youths should take opportunity in this policy.
People claim that Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world but I disagree. NFC is striving to make Nigeria the work creating capital of the world.
Legal framework has also been applied for its smooth realisation. People from all over the world would be coming to Nigeria to shoot, produce and market their films. Think about the multiplier effect it would create.
Q: Away from film industry, Abia State celebrated 30 years of her creation. How has the State fared ?
The State has not fared well, in my assessment. We are not where we should be. The State is backward in terms of infrastructure.
We have intellectual giants yet the results are near- zero. I feel sad at the look at things here. That is why we can no longer keep quiet. We want the story of Abia State to change. Abia needs a man who will transform it.
Q: Which political bloc should produce the next Governor of Abia after Okezie Ikpeazu?
Ans: The resolution agreed upon by Abia State founding fathers should be respected for peace, unity, fairness, stability and development to thrive. Power should rotate among zones as agreed by Abia founding fathers.
Q: Apart from the zone the Abia Governor should come from, what quality should he possess?
Ans: He must be popular from the grassroots. He must have a genuine desire to develop the State and should be prepared to harness human and mineral resources of Abia while revenue potentials in the State are utilized for transformation of the State, not opportunists.
Q: The people of the South East are complaining of marginalisation by President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration, what’s your take?
Ans: I disagree with that. The truth is that during the administration of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, the people from South East and South South were favoured in appointment more than those from the North. Go and check the records.
Even after President Buhari’s swearing-in, he continued with all appointees of Jonathan until their tenures expired. He has been fair to every zone.
For instance, despite the fact that I drafted the campaign jingle during 2015 elections, I, with many APC stalwarts waited for two or more years before getting appointment.
This was, because the President wanted those in such offices to complete their tenures. Buhari allowed the Jonathan appointees, even when it is at his power to sack them.
Q: So, is South East receiving equal attention with other zones in area of appointments and projects?
Cuts in…
Yes, Mr. President has been fair to all zones. Remember that Enugu-Port Harcourt express way and other roads abandoned by previous administrations are being constructed.
The Second Niger Bridge which was used for politics by former federal administrations is near completion. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Uko Nkole have also attracted the federal government to fix failed federal roads in Abia State. I am one of the appointees from the South East.
Q: Loans are being taken by the federal government for rail and other projects which the South East is not benefiting, what do you think?
Ans: To start with, the loans being obtained are being channeled into projects. It is on record that former administration of Goodluck Jonathan made more than $400b in revenue but this present administration has made less than $100b.
Price of oil is also down in international market. The money received from loans by the present administration is for projects .Assessment and criticism should start from this area.
Q : South East is excluded from the Railway projects, what do you say?
Ans: That is total misinformation. These rail projects were started by previous government. President Buhari is only extending it.
The South is captured in the rail project. The rail lines would run across several South East and South South towns apart from existing lines. Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has been appointed as the Chairman of Board of NNPC and he is our brother. The President deserves commendation for this.
Yes, Mr. President has been fair to all zones. Remember that Enugu-Port Harcourt express way and other roads abandoned by previous administrations are being constructed.
The Second Niger Bridge which was used for politics by former federal administrations is near completion. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Hon. Uko Nkole have also attracted the federal government to fix failed federal roads in Abia State. I am one of the appointees from the South East.
