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ZUFF 2017: Organisers want more festivals to market Nigerian films

Chidia Maduekwe, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation ( NFC ) and Chairman of ZUMA Film Festival ( ZUFF ) has called for more film festivals to attract investors and create market for Nigeria films.

He made the call during an interview on Sunday night on the side line of events at the 2017 edition of ZUMA Film Festival held in Abuja.

The eight edition of the Nigerian prestigious film fiesta, with the theme, “Feast on Films”, holds from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3 at the Jabi Lake Mall in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Maduekwe, as the Nigerian film industry grows, it needs to be promoted as a viable investment option to both local and the international business communities, and film festivals are veritable platforms to be used.

“We are aware of the tremendous impact of the Nigerian film industry on the economy of the nation, Africa and indeed around the world.

“The enormous impact of Nollywood, as the industry is popularly called, is to be further strengthened through Film Festivals,” he said.

He further explained that in order to effectively showcase Nollywood as a viable investment opportunity and alternative means of employment and wealth creation, the once biennial ZUFF, will be held annually.

“This is to position the festival and bring it to par with others in Africa and other parts of the world, and to sustainably stimulate film production activities in the country.

“We are also optimistic that negotiation for co-production deals, sell of film rights as well as investment opportunities will be explored.”

According to him, the 2017 edition of the film festival was packaged to showcase Nigeria’s film industry, art, culture and tourism as alternative means of employment and wealth creation.

“This year, we mounted a re-branded ZUMA Film Festival designed to explore the economic and audiovisual potentials of Africa’s largest motion picture industry

Also, a report states that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who was the chief host, commended the organisers of the ZUFF and pledged Government’s support to the growth of the film industry. ZUMA Film Festival ( ZUFF )

“Since diversification of the economy is crucial to this Government, the movie industry is a viable option, and government will give all necessary support to ensure that it does well,” he said

A reports indicates that the ZUMA Film Festival, now in its 8th edition, is platform for Nigerian film practitioners to network with their counterparts from other parts of the world and thus stimulates co-production and financing opportunities.

It presents the Nigerian film industry as a vibrant and viable investment option to Nigeria and international business communities

The 2017 edition of the festival featured ‘Emerging Talent Film Exposition’, where top filmmakers and actors, including Kunle Afolayan, held master classes for young and upcoming actors.

It also presented, among others, exhibition days like Lagos Day, Kano Day, Abia Day and Morocco Day, as well as ‘Celebrities Hangout”, where fans met and familiarize with film celebrities of their choices.

Film stakeholders and investors within and outside the shores of Nigeria attended the film festival.

NAN

December 4, 2017
Diversification will boost economy – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the nation has gradually commenced the diversification of its economy from oil to creative industry to boost internally generated revenue ( IGR ) and meet international standard.

Mohammed, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Grace Gekpe, stated this during the grand finale of Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) beauty pageant at Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

The event ended in the early hours of Monday.

The minister said the government was focusing its attention on developing the creative sector as an alternative means of boosting the nation’s economy.

“The ministry has discovered that the creative industry is an alternative to oil and that is why we are doing a lot to support the sector,” he said

According to him, the creative industry is an area that opens up employment opportunities for talented youths, thereby, reducing unemployment and possible youthful crimes.

Mohammed commended Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, the Heritage Ambassador to QMA, for her efforts in promoting culture, and advised other groups to encourage the youths to develop more interest in promoting their cultures.

“Promoters of our culture and tradition such as Princess Ademiluyi should be encouraged because she is complementing the efforts of the government to ensure that our culture does not go into extinction.

“Such a cultural pageant as the QMA will also empower young girls not only to learn their traditional language and history, but also make them to be creative and productive,” he said.

The minister also encouraged more groups in the entertainment industry to key into programmes that would promote Made-in-Nigerian fabrics, foods, dances and local languages which would make the country the world’s tourist attraction.

The 2017 QMA pageant produced 22 year-old, Oluwatosin Shola-Shittu, an indigene of Ikere Ekiti , Ekiti State as the new queen.

Shola-Shittu emerged the winner out of no fewer than 500 young girls who registered for the second edition of QMA cultural beauty pageant.

Shola-Shittu received a cash prize of N5 million, which she was expected to use for investment as part of the empowerment programme of youths initiated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the patron of the pageant.

The new queen was crowned by the outgoing queen, Blessing Animasahun.

NAN

December 4, 2017
NTA digital switch-over ready soon, says Lai Mohammed

Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that the digital switch over of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for the whole country would soon be ready.

He added the switch over would be done in phases due to the huge capital outlay of the project.

Mohammed spoke to reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital shortly after the NTA Ilorin digital station.

The minister, who was accompanied by the Chairman, Digital Switch Over and Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Eddy Amanan and Moddibo Kawu respectively, said: “for the whole country to be connected we are going to do this thing in phases.

He added: “The project requires huge capital and Nigeria is just coming out of recession. So the government has to prioritise its programmes. So national digital switch-over will come in phases.

“At the moment we have done Abuja and Jos then we are going to do six in the next couple of months. When we finish that set, we will look at Nigerian map to know where next to go but at every point in time we will do one in every geo-political zone of the country.”

On the state of readiness of Kwara State, the minister said:“

“We require a total of three sets to be able to effectively cover the whole of Kwara State. And the plan is that we will replicate similar stucuture what in Ilorin in Patigi and Kaiama.

“Unfortunately, Kaiama has a bit of a setback. The mast there fell and it will take awhile for us to rebuild the mast. When Patigi is up and Kaiama is up, confidently we can say the whole of Kwara State will be covered and there will be spill over to the neighbouring state of Niger. So that is how ready we are.

“Right now those who have these set up boxes are receiving the 26 channels because for now Kwara TV is not yet on board. The official launching will come later.”

On the market price of the set-up boxes, he said that “the market situation will determine the prices of those boxes when they are launched but some lucky ones will get it at the rate of N1500.”

December 3, 2017
FG reiterates commitment to reward, protect whistleblowers

The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to reward and protect whistleblowers who provided information that led to recovery of stolen funds or assets.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this during a visit to the head office of Leadership newspaper in Abuja.

Mohammed, who was responding to a question on the stash of money recovered from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, said the whistleblowers would get the due reward.

He clarified the compensation modality as contained in the framework, saying any whistle-blower whose information led to recovery of up to N1 billion would receive five per cent of the amount.

He said the reward for any amount between N1 billion and N5 billion was 5 per cent for the first N1 billion and four per cent of the remaining N4 billion.

The minister added that any amount above N5 billion would attract 2.5 per cent reward.

Mohammed noted that the policy of government was to keep the identity of whistle blowers secret.

He described as unfortunate the situation where more than one person came out as whistle blowers for the Ikoyi recovery.

He disclosed that Federal Government had come up with comprehensive strategy to tackle violent extremism across the country.

He said the strategy was contained in a document entitled “Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism” launched by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mohammed said the document was developed after consultations with agencies of government, civil society organisations, the media and academia, as well as the international community.

He also spoke on the various policies and programmes of government at revamping the economy, building infrastructure and creating jobs.

On the fight against corruption, Mohammed said government was winning the war, having succeeded in driving corruption under the table.

He hailed Leadership newspaper for carrying out its duties professionally.

NAN

November 29, 2017
DSO is on course – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Tuesday reassured that Digital Switch Over ( DSO ), the process of transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting was on course.

The minister gave the reassurance when he received officials of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) led by its Chairman, Mr John Momoh in his office in Abuja.

Addressing newsmen after a closed door session with the delegation, the minister said that government would carry all stakeholders along to ensure a successful transition.
“The meeting discussed the overall survival of the industry and the good thing about it is that we have all agreed to work together.

“We also agreed that none of the concerns raised by stakeholders are insurmountable with the cooperation of all.

“We resolved that the DSO is on course and the cheery news is that BON has agreed to give its contributions and ideas that will ensure a successful switch over,’’ he said.

The minister said the meeting also deliberated on other issues affecting the broadcast industry including, audience measurement, licensing regime, industry debt issue plan and FM Radio transmitter power and coverage area.

Momoh, who was also at the briefing, said that the meeting afforded members of his organisation the opportunity to let the minister and other stakeholders understand the challenges inhibiting their operations.

Momoh, who is the Chairman of Channels Television, said BON members were also briefed on what government was doing on DSO.

“We have a better picture of the DSO and we also have the agreement to work together for the success of the transition.

“We are leaving here happy and we believe it is a work in progress. We are confident that at the end of the day, we will have a successful DSO and an industry that is thriving,’’ he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Modibbo Kawu said the commission would work with relevant stakeholders including BON.

He stressed that his commission’s relation with BON was central to the success of DSO.

November 28, 2017
Media should support anti-graft war – Mohammed

The Federal Government on Monday urged the media to support the anti-corruption campaign and desist from mocking the process.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the call at the opening of the 68th General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja.

Mohammed said the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm could not afford to sit on the fence in the fight against corruption.

He said the government was not averse to constructive criticism of the process, adding that it was wrong for the media to mock the anti-graft war through their reporting.

He said: “Without mincing words, let me use this platform to appeal directly to the media in general to join this administration in facing the problem of corruption.

“In recent times, it is not unusual to read such headlines as ‘Buhari’s Government Losing Anti-Corruption War,’ `Buhari’s Anti-Corruption War is Failing,’ ‘Arewa Youths Knock President Buhari over Failing Anti-corruption War.’

“This is sheer mockery, not reporting, and this war is not Buhari’s war. It is our war.

“As we have said times without number, this fight must not be seen as Buhari’s fight. It must not be seen as the Federal Government’s fight. It is our fight.

READ ALSO: We’ll sustain anti-graft war despite criticism – Buhari

“We are not saying the media should not criticize us over our strategy for the fight, but they should stop mocking us.

“If we fail to win by defeating corruption, it will simply kill us as a nation,’’

The minister noted that if the media continued to celebrate every setback suffered in prosecuting corruption cases, it will give succour to the corrupt.

He said Nigeria was winning the war against corruption with the type of leadership provided by Buhari.

Mohammed added: “Yes, corruption is fighting back furiously, but it cannot match the courage, the determination and the commitment of this administration, nor can it dampen the leadership of President Buhari.

READ ALSO: Buhari seeks judiciary’s support for anti-graft battle

“We are tackling corruption; we have added $500 million to our Sovereign Wealth Fund that stagnated at the one-billion-dollar that was used to set it up.

“We have raised our foreign reserves from $23 billion to $35 billion.

“We stopped the payment of phantom subsidy of between N800 billion and N1.3 trillion annually, yet petroleum products are available at competitive prices.”

NAN

November 27, 2017
Lai Mohammed solicits incentives for creative, tourism investors in Jigawa

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has urged Jigawa Government to give incentives to creative and tourism investors to explore the rich cultural potential of the state.

The minister made the call in Dutse at a Gala night hosted in his honour by Gov. Badaru Abubakar to mark the end of the 9th National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation held in the state.

The 9th edition of the Council with the theme, “Tourism and Culture as Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and hosted by Jigawa Government.

Mohammed, who commended the giant strides recorded in agriculture by the state government through its goat rearing and cluster farming schemes, said similar programmes should be replicated in the tourism sector.

He added that “we all know that Jigawa is one of the foremost agricultural states in the country with the very successful experiment of the governor in the goat rearing scheme.

“Jigawa is also leading in cluster farming, a concept of getting many farmers as possible in one place and the government providing them with farm input, fertiliser and encouraging them to grow more food.

“The farmers are also assured that they can pay back not only in cash but in kind.

“I want the state government to extend the same courtesy and support to the Creative Industry, particularly the culture and tourism sector.

“I want the state to emulate the Federal Government by giving out incentives in terms of tax rebate, tax holiday and others to encourage film producers to come and set up film villages in the state

“This is because Jigawa has very fantastic scenery and tourism sites which will be ideal to shoot film of any genre.”

The minister also urged the state to get involved in capacity training for artists and make available small scale loans for artisans who were talented in arts and crafts.

He said the efforts would provide another avenue for revenue for the state in addition to employing as many youths as possible.

He added that the IT hub infrastructure in the state which the governor was planning to expand would further encourage youths in the state to unload their talents.

He commended the governor and the people of Jigawa for maintaining peace, tranquility and stability which he said were the keys to economic growth.

He also thanked the government and the people for successful hosting of the event and the honour bestowed on him by the governor and the Dutse Emirate.

“I thank you for organising this Gala night in my honour. Just yesterday, the Emir also organised a mini Durbar in my honour.

“I remain gratified and indebted to the governor, the government and people of Jigawa.

“I want to assure you that we are leaving the state with very fond memories and will not hesitate to come back as soon as possible.

“I believe that Jigawa has a lot to harvest from cultural and tourism sector and we are glad that we are here to look at how culture and tourism can be a panacea to economic development.”

The governor, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Alhaji Abdulkadir Fanini, thanked the minister and organisers of the Council for the choice of Jigawa to host the event.

Fanini said Jigawa had a lot to contribute to the development of culture and tourism as alternative to oil and gas and the event would help to promote the state.

NAN

November 26, 2017
AFRIMA is transforming Nigeria’s Creative Industry – Lai Mohammed

The annual All Africa Music Awards ( AFRIMA ) which Nigeria has hosted since its inception in 2014, is helping to transform the nation’s creative Industry to creative economy.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said at the 2017 Awards night held on Sunday in Lagos.

Mohammed who was the guest of honour at the event said that securing the hosting right for the Pan Africa Music Awards initiative had been beneficial to the nation’s creative industry.

“This Administration has identified the creative industry that is music, films theatre and fashion as a major avenue to diversify our economy.

“What we have seeing tonight is not just entertainment but how the creative industry is transforming into creative economy.

“You can see the huge economic potential that can come out of this endeavour.

“We have the entire world, not just the Africa here today, and more importantly is that it is being beam live all over the world.

“You can see what the government is doing to ensure the creative industry becomes creative economy,’’ he said.

The minister said that as parts of incentives to encourage investment in the sector, the creative industry enjoys pioneer status which allows investors to get a tax holiday.

He assured the Federal Government commitment to creating the enabling environment for the industry to thrive.

Mohammed said that AFRIMA annually provided the platform for talented African musicians to showcase their potentials and be given awards and incentives to encourage them to do better.

He said the Awards should be sustained to propel musicians to take African music to the next level.

AFRIMA which enjoys the partnership and support of the African Union ( AU ) was birth to inspire generations and celebrate African music.

The Awards is designed to promote the distinct rich African music worldwide, by propelling African music to glorious pinnacles beyond the borders of the continent.

Nigeria won the rights above 13 other countries to host the biggest music event in Africa for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016.

Following its successful hosting of the 2014-2016 editions the AU, again, awarded the hosting right for the Pan African Music Initiative, to Nigeria for another three years (2017-2019).

The 2017 edition held last night was anchored by Damala Badara better known as Akon, an American-born Senegalese singer, songwriter, businessman, record producer and actor.

The event which witnessed host of African stars saw Nigerian acts – Wizkid, Simi, M.I, Tiwa Savage, Ycee, Orezi, 2Baba- all got awards

Of special note was Wiz Kid who took home three major Awards of the night – Song of the Year, Artist of the Year & Best West African Act ( Male )

Africa Music Legend Awards won by Salif Keita, Afro-pop singer and songwriter from Mali was presented by the Minister.

NAN

November 13, 2017
FG committed to developing creative industry – Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government( FG ) says it is irrevocably committed to growing the creative industry in view of its importance to the economy.

The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the statement while declaring open the African International Film Festival in Lagos on Sunday night.

He said the government recognised the great potential of the industry to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and had been supporting the sector to realise its potential.

Mohammed, who described the creative industry as the next oil, expressed delight that players in the industry had already placed the country on the global map with their great talents.

He said the government was proud of Nollywood and its achievements, and was taking steps to propel the industry to greater heights.

“The Nigerian government is proud of Nollywood and we are engaging stakeholders constantly to grow the sector.

“I will reiterate a few of the initiatives we have pursued to grow the sector.

“We are pursuing single digit interest loans towards infrastructural development in the sector.

“We are supporting about 100 community cinemas evenly spread across the country.

“We are almost closing on a world class pre and post production facility using existing infrastructure.

“We want to ensure that such world class facility is located in each geo-political zone to boost movie productions and other contents.

“Finally, in the area of digital television, we are ensuring that set-up boxes are enabled to allow customers in about 30 million homes to access and buy our movies for the development of the sector,” he said.

Mohammed said the African International Film Festival had contributed to the growth of the sector on the continent by allowing Africans to tell their own stories.

He said the festival had helped practitioners to showcase their talents and also helped in the area of capacity in the sector.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed said he and the government identified with the festival in view of its potential to take the movie industry to greater heights.

Sen. Godswill Akpabio was among prominent personalities present at the opening.

Also, a galaxy of local and international movie stars as well as technical experts and showbiz personalities witnessed the opening.

Earlier, the minister, at a programme organised by the Copyright Society of Nigeria ( COSON ) tagged “COSON in the Church,’’ said the government was committed to protecting intellectual property in the creative industry.

Mohammed said piracy was a threat to the development of the industry and that government was taking steps to end the menace.

He said that the government had set up a task force to check the activities of people who pirated creative works and the step was yielding results.

“The task force has made a few arrests including the Kingpin of Piracy in Alabama and he is currently facing prosecution.

“We will continue to do more and ensure we deal with the problem,’’ he said.

The minister commended COSON for its efforts at ensuring that artists were paid what was due to them by those who used their works.

Mohammed said this would ensure that the beneficiaries did not labour in vain but reap from their talents.

He said the government would continue to support COSON in its cause to uplift the creative industry, and was was doing its best to attract the much needed investments in the sector.

The President of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, said the essence of the programme was to pray for peace in Nigeria and for the country to reach its potential.

Okoroji said Nigeria had everything to be great, saying that with prayers and doing the right thing, the country would attain greatness.

According to him, the creative sector is a major part of the country’s life and will continue to support the country in achieving greatness.

Prayers were offered for the progress of the country at the programme, while gospel artistes took turns to entertain guests.

NAN

October 30, 2017
More prospects for film business as AFRIFF 2017 opens in Lagos

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF,) began its 7^th Season with a prospect of more support for film business, as government representatives, business leaders and developmental agencies made exciting speeches, at a glamorous ceremony held Sunday night, at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, The Palms, Lekki, Lagos.

The Opening Night films; ‘Waiting for Hassana’, a Short on the abducted Chibok girls, directed by Ifunanya Maduka, and ‘I am not a Witch’, a Zambian film by Rungano Nyoni, were a befitting food for thought, as they highlight topical social issues relating to African children.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who welcomed all delegates to the festival, expressed his administration’s willingness to support the creative industry through grants, tax breaks and funding opportunities.

He said: “I will re-iterate a few of the initiatives we are pursuing:

“We are pushing for a single-digit interest on loans for infrastructural developments for the Industry. We are supporting the building of 100 community cinemas to be evenly spread across the country. We are close to having world-class pre- and post-production facility using the current NTA infrastructure with a few additions. We want to ensure that in the focus on studio facilities, we ensure that one is located in every geo-political zone of the country. And on the back of the DIGITAL SWITCH-OVER of our television, we are ensuring that the set top boxes are enabled to allow our 24 million TV households to buy our movies with and without the need of data. This way, the home goes digital!”

It was a night of great promises for AFRIFF and the Nigerian film industry, as Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, whose bank returns as lead sponsor of the festival, pledged more support for filmmakers, especially through the AFRIFF/Accelerate Filmmakers Project, an initiative set up to help burgeoning filmmakers to nurture their ideas. Wigwe, who is also the patron of AFRIFF, stressed the importance of film as a powerful tool for Africans to tell their stories, different from the usual story of poverty, often projected by the Western media.

Representing the Governor of Lagos state, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, welcomed delegates to the centre of excellence and positioned AFRIFF as ‘’one of the leading creative platforms in Africa that has been consistent, truly awe inspiring and which has found the Lagos arty landscape compatible with its own vision.’’

Introducing the opening night films, former governor of Akwa Ibom state and current Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio gave a lengthy account of his efforts to bring the exaggerated problem of witchcraft, associated to children in the state to an end. According to Akpabio, his administration had succeeded through education, convictions and rehabilitation in halting the dangerous trend.

Also speaking at the event, French Consul General, Lagos, Mr. Laurent Polonceaux said; “This is a great opportunity for us because this is the first time that the French government is involved with Africa. We will be having two days at the festival for French films, with possibility of co-production with Nigeria and Africa.” He noted that it was good that the festival will be closing with the French film, ‘Felicite’, and disclosed that arrangement has been made to have about 70 film students for further training in France as an exchange programme with AFRIFF.

The opening ceremony started with a red carpet show that had celebrities like Wale Ojo, Hilda Dokubo, Uche Jombo, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Judith Audu, Linda Ejiofor, Hilda Dokubo and Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi.

Others dignitaries include star filmmakers and film entrepreneurs such as Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Biola Alabi, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Fred Amata, Zick Zulu Okafor, Kunle Afolayan, CJ Obasi, Belinda Yanga, Kenneth Uphopho, as well as media personalities like Fidelis Anosike, CEO of Daily Times, Shaibu Husseini of The Guardian, and Ameyaw Debrah from Ghana.

AFRIFF is an annual week-long, all-encompassing world class showcase running from October 29 to November 4, 2017.

About 200 carefully curated feature length, short, documentary and student films will be screened this year.

The festival also encompasses talent development classes, industry workshops and inspiring creative discussions.

Photos: Adeolu Adeniyi

October 30, 2017