By Evelyn Osagie
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and Arewa Film Makers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN) are developing the film industry in the North to ensure its sustainable growth and economic viability.
The partnership, according to them, would focus on harnessing creative talents and developing a conducive business environment for the film industry to thrive as a viable source of engendering gainful employment for the teeming youths in the North.
The resolutions were reached during a courtesy visit by a delegation of AFMAN, led by its chairman, Mr. Ahmed Turaki Kaka to NCC Director-General, Mr. John O. Asein, at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja last Wednesday.
Asein stated that in implementing the proposed NCC-AFMAN collaboration, “the commission would intensify enforcement measures to check the piracy Hausa films in Nigeria and the Hausa speaking regions across Africa”.
Describing Hausa filmmakers as indispensable components of the Nigerian creative industry, which has contributed immensely to the Nigeria’s economy, he reassured delegation of the commission’s commitment to always support creators and genuine investors in the industry.
“NCC would also be addressing issues of rights management, public enlightenment and education to promote a viable business framework and effective distribution of Hausa films. I urge you to consider how best they could leverage on existing online platforms to promote their works beyond the shores of Nigeria,” Mr. Asein stated.
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He, however, urged AFMAN members to upgrade the technical content of their movies to meet the required high digital quality of international standard, adding that they should consider the possibility of adopting licensing schemes to check the illegal downloads of their films.
The D-G urged stakeholders to forge a united front, noting that copyright pirates exploit the division amongst right owners to perpetuate their evil. “It will be good for the northern film groups to have a unified body that will represent your interest and speak with one voice”, he added.
The Chairman of AFMAN, Mr Ahmed Kaka, disclosed that large scale local and foreign piracy was affecting the growth of the industry, while listing filmmakers’ major challenges to include “the rampant activities of illegal downloaders, voice-over translators and inadequate knowledge of players in the industry”.
According to him, “all the associations of film makers in northern Nigeria have agreed to unite under the umbrella of the Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) and AFMAN”.
Stating that Hausa filmmakers were willing to dialogue with illegal downloaders and others infringing their copyright, he stressed that the association was committed to working with NCC in addressing the challenges undermining the growth of the industry.
Secretary of AFMAN and Coordinator, Nassarawa State Zone, Mr. Dalhatu Sule, in his remarks, gave assurance that the association would deploy its huge fan base to support the efforts of NCC in the fight against piracy and other matters affecting the industry.
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