The Rivers State Government has tasked the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) on the production of works that will expose the dangers and negative effects of youth restiveness and cultism.
The state Commissioner for Information, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, who gave the challenge yesterday in Port Harcourt at the meeting of the Nigerian Film Corporation and Film, units of the state ministries of information in the South-South, said since films are readily accepted and easily understood by both urban and rural dwellers, it can be used to check the incidence of restiveness and other negative vices.
Nwuke also challenged them to produce films for the preservation of the changing cultural heritage of the diverse people of Nigeria.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Engr Solomon Ordu, commended the corporation for the effort of reawakening interest in film production in the various states of the South-South region.
He described the effort as wake-up call that is very timely, especially for the people of Rivers State.
“For us in Rivers State, this wake-up call is very timely, and we are delighted to be part of this new revival in the visual communications”, he said.
He said that the state government has demonstrated a readiness to fund the state film unit with the provision of brand new video cameras, establishment of non-lineal editing suite and the allocation of necessary funds for the purchase of CMC-Rovers for rural film shows.
The commissioner said that the state government intends to seek for recognised institutions for proper training of film unit staff to enable them acquire the necessary skills to meet the challenges ahead.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Mr Afolabi Adesanya thanked the state government for acknowledging the role of the NFC in repositioning the film industry.
The managing director, who was represented by the Director of Research and Strategy, Mr Tex Benibo, said that the corporation was making contact with private film producers to reposition the industry.
In his lecture, Mr Tex Benibo said that the meeting was aimed at sensitising the state ministries of information to establish firm bureaus while reviving film production units in their respective ministries.
He listed some benefits of the film industry to include provision of employment opportunities while boosting the revenue base of the respective states.
