Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the President of the Association of Movie Producers in Nigeria has called out Nigerian lawmakers for their statement alleging that Nollywood is to blame for ritual killings in the country.
In a statement titled ‘the Gods are to blame,’ the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA expressed her disappointment at the ignorance of the statement passing blame on Nollywood as a major effect on ritual killings calling the lawmakers and their submission ignorant.
In the statement, she didn’t mince words in expressing her dissatisfaction.
“The high level of ignorance exhibited by the members of our house of representatives, in deciding that the fact that our films mirror our societies ills is the reason money-making rituals are on the rise, is inexcusable. Unfortunately, this shows how little our so-called political leaders actually understand the structures with which the Nigerian film industry operates.
“Stories abound as to how political aspirants have to swear oaths of allegiance to their godfathers, as pr-st-tu-ts, who are being trafficked abroad also do.”
Also, she pointed out that truly, Nollywood movies show scenes of rituals in movies but state that those are stories derived from real-life events.
“Do we depict rituals in our films? Yes. Most of our stories are derived from actual events witnessed or reported by the media – and in some cases, told by victims or individuals related to the story or cases. Our eroded value system has a lot to do with the total collapse of our cultural values, in which consumption of material wealth is the evidence of success. Our political structure portrays immediate wealth after or through successfully winning an election by stealing or manipulating votes.”
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, in an attempt to continue to defend Nollywood and what it stands for took a jibe at politicians pointing out that they lead youths to seek quick and illegal wealth even more than anyone.
The award-winning filmmakers also pointed out the lawmakers’ inabilities to do their job properly and introduce life-changing policies.
“In furtherance, our government keeps up the blame game blaming everyone but themselves for the failed country they created. The people whose job is to safeguard us are known to be in cahoot with these so-called ritualists. Our legislators can’t implement policies that will restore dignity to our communities. The politicians are why the youths believe that you can only be wealthy through rituals yet Nollywood that is receiving the bashing is the most successful brand out of Nigeria being Africa’s highest content market plus second in the world.”
