Entertainment
Minister Explains Commercialisation Of Film Industry
The Federal Government says it is reforming and commercialising the Nigerian film corporation (NFC)to address the agency’s teething challenges and repositioning for improved performance.
The minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made this known on Monday in Abuja while inaugurating a steering committee for the reform and commercialisation of the corporations.
He said the federal government has engaged the services of a Business Development Consultant to conduct a due diligence on the corporations and sector and recommend a strategy that is suitable for its Reformation and commercialisation.
Mohammed said the NFC which was established with a mandate to plan, promote. Organize and coordinate the development of Nigerian motion picture industry has not been able to meet up with its statutory functions. He noted that since its establishment the corporation has faced several challenges including inability to engage in commercial film production.The minister said the law establishing NFC limits its operational functions such that it can not leverage on the private sector led growth of the industry.
He added that the National Film Institute (NFI),a unit of the NFC is not empowered to leverage its technical and professional capabilities for commercial purposes and revenue generation. He noted that the NFC civil service structure comes with bureaucratic limitations, budgetary constraints and operational inefficiency.
“ A critical look at the existing organizational structure, shows that NFC has obsolete equipment with some dating back to colonial times”, he said.
The minister noted that the reform of the corporation will help in efforts of government to reposition the nation’s film industry , Nollywood and make Nigeia the capital of entertainment in Africa.
Relying on International Monetary Fund(IMF)data Mohammed said Nollywood is the second largest employer of labour and contributed to N893 billion to the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)in 2015.The minister noted that Nollywood could perform better if the NFC is restructured.
NFC established by Decree No 61 of 1979 is 100 percent owned by the federal government and has its registered office in Jos,Plateau State. It is established to distribute documentary films on different aspects of Nigeria’s socio cultural and political life and produce film services for the federal government.
The corporation is to train young talented Nigerians in the act of film making, conduct research into Nigerian films and provide technical and financial support to film industry and practitioners. NFC is also established to regulate and organise professional practice in the film industry.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’
