FG ready to support growth of film industry – Minister

The Federal Government has pledged to invest in the necessary
infrastructure to ensure the growth of the film industry and
complement the efforts of the tireless professionals who built the
industry from the scratch.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the
pledge at the sixth Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in
Lagos on Sunday.

”When we trusted in the almighty oil, we built refineries, pipelines,
petrol marketing companies, petrol stations etc. Since we are now
rightly shifting our focus to this sector, we must now make the
necessary investments in the infrastructure that will grow the film
industry.

”The Film industry has proven itself to be not just a great employer
of labor, especially young people, but also potentially a very high
foreign exchange earner because of its international appeal and
demand,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the industry has done ”a fantastic job” without
the requisite government support and partnership, and that it is time
for the government to give it the necessary support.

”We need professional studio facilities in every state of the
country. You should also not be providing your own power, borrowing at
30%, travelling abroad to do post-production etc.

”Mr President has publicly put his weight behind the creative
industry and has promised to do everything that will make it possible
for us to transit from a creative industry to a creative economy. To
this end we are already in talks with state governments and investors
to build studio facilities that will equal those in Mexico, India, the
U.S etc. This will make film making easier and increase the quality of
films,” he said.

The Minister said the ongoing transition from analogue to digital
broadcasting will also help provide a major customer base for Nigerian
films, since the acquisition of Set Top Boxes by the 24 million
Television households in the country will make it possible for them to
buy newly-released film by the touch of the button

He congratulated the organisers of the festival for their laudable
efforts and their investment in human capital through education and
training.