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Tag: NFC

  • NFC partners NIPSS for creative industry conference

    NFC partners NIPSS for creative industry conference

    The Nigerian Film Corporation and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies have pooled their resources together for a conference on the Nigerian film and creative industry.

    This, according to both bodies, is to enable the Federal Government place an enduring policy framework that will engender its growth and development.

    The two agencies of government on Monday, September 25, inaugurated the Joint Committee for the organisation of the Think Tank Conference.

    At the inauguration of the Joint Committee which took place at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, both agencies of government expressed their desire and commitment towards the hosting of a successful conference.

    While the NFC has the mandate to develop the Nigerian film industry, NIPSS has the mandate to develop Policy and Strategic roadmap for the nation.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the joint committee, NIPSS’ acting Director General, Jonathan Mela Juma, mni commended NFC for taking up the initiative on the Film and Creative Think Thank Project.

    Juma described the entire project as that which will further signpost the film and creative industry of Nigeria as alternative investment portfolio in Nigeria. He assured that NIPSS will ensure that the project is successful by leveraging on the goodwill of its strategic partners.

    Also speaking at the inauguration, NFC’s Managing Director, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe commended NIPSS for taking up the partnership with NFC to drive the Think Tank Conference.

    Represented by Brian Etuk, the Corporation’s Head of Public Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs, NFC he said, was determined to assist government transform Nigeria’s film and creative industry into an economy, with robust tendencies to generate employment and create wealth.

    The Committee Members drawn from NFC and NIPSS are Professor Habu Galadima (Chairman), Dr. Sola Adeyanju (Secretary), Dr. Musa Umar, Dr. Jacob Tsado, Bawa Ahmed, John Mfon (Vice Chairman), Eunice Ochoga, Edmund Peters, Brian Etuk, as well as Hannatu Danjuma (Asst. Secretary).

    The Committee is expected to among other things, put the modalities in place for the realization of the conference, including the time, date and venue of the Conference.

  • NFC announces return of Zuma Film Festival

    NFC announces return of Zuma Film Festival

    After its last outing in 2014, the biennial ZUMA Film Festival, Abuja, organised by Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), will resume in December 2017.

    Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos last Thursday, Managing Director of NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, said, not only is the festival returning, it is being rebranded with a better global pep.

    “There are plans to boost the festival so Abuja and its environs can feel the impact of ZUMA Film Festival,” said Maduekwe.

    “In that regard more people will have the opportunity to watch several films. Consequently, commencing from the 1st to the 3rd December there will be outdoor screenings at Jabi Lake Park, Old Parade ground and select venues in Kubwa,  Nyanya and Lugbe. Music shows will precede the screenings while regular screenings will also hold at Silverbird cinemas.”

    Tagged ‘Feast on Films,’ this year’s edition of the film festival is scheduled to hold from December 1 to 5 with a glamorous opening ceremony which will include a red carpet, opening film and cocktail at the Silverbird Cinema, Abuja and a closing ceremony cum awards night at the International Conference Centre.

    According to the NFC boss, other activities lined up for the festival include workshops, master-classes and NFC annual lecture will take place at the same venue.

    He said proposals for collaborations with sister agencies are ongoing, to enhance and enrich the components of the festival.

    Announcing film scholar and former Managing Director of the NFC, Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi, as head the jury for films in official competition, Maduekwe said committees have been set up in the various geo-political zones of the country, and zonal coordinators appointed.

    “We have as zonal coordinators for South West- Mr. Tunde Kelani, South East- Mrs. Patience Ozokwor, North West-Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, North Central – Mr. Edward Fom, South South Mr. Richard Mofe-Damijo, North East Mallam Al -Amin Ciroma.”

    This year’s edition will be the 8th in the series since the festival made debut in year 2000.

    Maduekwe said the festival will continue to serve as a platform for Nigerian film practitioners to network with their counterparts from other parts of the world, stimulate co-production and financing opportunities, and support job creators.

    He expressed gratitude to the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari (GCFR), whom he said is equally the Grand Patron of ZUMA Film Festival for the support the film sector has been receiving.

    “Indeed, the film sector, which has contributed over 1.4% to the nation’s GDP, is being galvanised with a renewed impetus to not only up its contribution to the nation’s economy, but to increase its potency as a tool for peace, unity and progress of the nation.

    Entry for the festival, he said, will open on July 3rd 2017 and to close on September 31st, 2017.

    He said: “Interested participants, film makers, investors, students/scholars, exhibitors and distributors, production and film equipment companies, journalists and the media may pick up entry forms at our zonal offices in Abuja, Kano and Lagos. Also entry forms can be picked from other designated centers across the country. Equally, entry forms can be downloaded from the festival and NFC websites;www.zumafilmfest.gov.ng; www.nigerianfilms.gov.ng or mdnigerianfilms@gmail.com.”

     

  • LOVING THE NFC SEXTET

    BARELY three months after his appointment as Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation, his proverbial eggs are beginning to hatch, and as the hatchlings are stepping out of the cracks, it appears they only need the purest of fresh air to develop strong wings and fly. This doesn’t look like a long time coming…

    First, I was a witness to the commissioning of two ultra-modern halls of residence for students of the Nigerian Film Institute and Media Arts Studies at Lamingo, the permanent site of the film agency last month, and was wowed by the wide acceptance of this new man within the shortest time, in spite of initial reservation for his doctoral background – of course the industry had an ugly experience in the hand of a non-filmmaker.

    If you think Maduekwe’s acceptance was a mere expression of relief from the previous, I feel that our short span for tolerance would have sprouted by now – the doctor continues to push the envelope with passionate and political will to succeed and one is yet to hear a constructive nag.

    Beyond the hostel accomplishment, the choice of guests at the commissioning pointed to a methodical approach whereby human resources were harnessed in policy makers like the Chairman House Committee on Information,  Hon Olusegun Odebunmi; Chairman, Senate Committee on National Orientation and Information, Senator Suleiman Adokwe, wife of the governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Regina Lalong; wife of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mrs. Esther Azi; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was represented by Executive Director, Programmes, NTA, Mr Wole Coker, Royal Fathers and others.

    The first evidence that appeared will be coming from the romance is the long yearning by practitioners to have the NFC transformed from a Corporation to a Commission. Odebunmi and Adokwe made some positive comments in that direction, just as the First Lady appeared enamoured to get her husband to do more for the permanent site of the Corporation.

    I took home two remarks used to describe Maduekwe at that occasion: ‘Man on the move’ and ‘Comrade MD’. And I am glad this is not about my personal opinion. Maduekwe appeared prepared for Nollywood. Like a hybrid approach, he deploys all that are needed to ‘glocalise’ the film industry to achieve a win-win result.

    Now, there is a new acronym that may soon be used to describe a new life for film practitioners in Nigeria: GGL (Glamorous Good Living).

    During his second meeting with stakeholders in Lagos on Thursday, June 29, the new NFC chief intimated them of six action plans that I find too beautiful to ignore. These can be best captured by saying NFC is walking the talks with a state-of-the-art post-production studio; re-branded ‘Zuma Film Festival’; a ‘Nollywood Smart Card’ scheme; ‘Nigerian Film Parliament’ building; a ‘Nollywood Rock of Fame’ arena and ‘Rock of Fame Award’ show.

    Under the sextet, the NFC Lagos office is expected resume some of its earliest functions with the restoration of a post-production studio that is not intended for commercial purpose, but complementing the needs of filmmakers in line with the agency’s developmental role.

    As part of the ways of driving the country’s tourism, NFC’s leadership by example intent is to ensure that foreign filmmakers attend Nigerian film festivals the same way that our filmmakers route Cannes, Toronto, Venice etc. The biennial ZUMA Film Festival is to resume in December 2017, after 2014 when it was last hosted.

    Maduekwe’s short romance with the Plateau State government has also earned the NFC a gigantic edifice on the rock. The building which is expected to be commissioned in July will serve three lofty ideas: The Nigerian Film Parliament, a House of Assembly complex that is exclusive to filmmakers; a Nigerian Movie Rock of Fame where honoree filmmakers and actors will have their names engraved on the rock upon which the edifice is erected as against the usual Hall of Fame; and a ‘Rock of Fame Award’ to form this package to reward creativity with pomp.

    Finally, the idea that really suits the GGL is the Nollywood Smart Card, a compact with facilities like the NHIS and Life Assurance. Maduekwe explained that it is also a discount card that has online linkage to members’ biometrics and professional data. “In case there is any need to crosscheck the identity of the holder, all that needs to be done is go online and you are taken to the data page. The NHIS is also diversified; it is not meant to host a single provider, but at least 10 providers so that wherever the holder is, they have access to a provider. NFC will be liaising with NAICON to negotiate rock-bottom premium.”

    What more can one expect from an NFC to show its operations are tandem with the dreams of Nigerian filmmakers? How more can one expect of an agency to use government policy to cement an idea like the Nollywood Smart Card? And this only seems like the first stage of other plans to come…

  • NTDC, NFC collaborate on Zuma film festival

    The Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.(NTDC) has re-emphasized the need to re-diversify the Nigerian economy through the creative arts industry.

    Mr Coker said  this when the Director General,  Nigeria Film corporation (NFC) , Dr. Chidia Maduekwe paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently .

    “In terms of annual film production, the Nigerian film industry has grown rapidly over the years to become the second largest film industry in the world ranking ahead of the bollywood and just behind USA regardless of the challenges” he said.

    The Director General of the Nigerian Film Industry (NFC) Dr. Chidia Maduekwe expressed the need to forge a strategic alliance with the apex tourism body of the nation whose mandate it is to market and promote  tourism assets in Nigeria.

    Dr. Maduekwe requested that NTDC and NFC  collaborate in respect of Nigeria’s participation at the international film festival/markets and Zuma film festival

    The NTDC Boss thanked the DG, NFC and his team for their visit and applauded  their effort on  Nollywood which is a home grown industry with a clear testimony to the resourceful and enterprise of the Nigerian spirit.

    The DG, NTDC informed his guest about a proposed   tourism calendar of event  to avoid  conflicts  which will run through the year and appealed for synergy.

    In his words: NFC is seen as a film corporation, we must create a brand, an identity with an inspiring tour brand as well as the Logo. As NTDC is set to create a sub – brand, entertainment, fashion, religion, food, all tourism asset once this is well-packaged demand is answer.

    In his contribution to the biennial zuma film festival which is the flagship film festival in Nigeria organized by the Nigerian film corporation designed to explore the economic and culture potentialsof Africa’s largest motion picture industry, advice that since Nollywood is strategized to brand a festival conference center the film has to be accessible, redefined and work effectively.

     

  • MOPPAN commends NFC

    MOPPAN commends NFC

    The Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MOPPAN, has thrown its weight behind the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), pledging its support and endorsement for its initiatives, and projects which impacts positively on the growth of the Nigerian film industry.

    These positions were expressed by the newly elected executive members of MOPPAN during a visit to the NFC headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Monday, May 22, 2017.

    Led by its president, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano Usman, the 15-member executive of MOPPAN also reeled out a 6-point agenda it seeks to accomplish within the shortest possible time.

    Usman listed standardisation of the film industry through capacity building and training, fight against piracy and the mounting of a film festival as some of MOPPAN’s key components of its roadmap for the Nigerian motion picture industry.

    MOPPAN, he said, recognises the film sector as a net contributor to the nations GDP. He also lauded the federal government for placing premium on alternative revenue stream for the nation with emphasis on the film sector, apart from agriculture and its continued commitment to the NFC.

    MOPPAN, he also said will rely on the expertise, competence and capacity of the National Film Institute & Media Arts Studies, Jos for the training of its members based on the correct modalities being referred to as the “Kano Template” in the film industry.

    Usman equally listed poor funding and the absence of a structured industry are some of the teething challenges the film sector of Nigeria faces at the moment.

    Responding, NFC’s managing director, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, described the visit, the first by any motion picture association or guild, as a commitment and show of solidarity for the decision of NFC to rejig activities that will ultimately propel the Nigerian film industry to greater heights.

    MOPPAN, Maduekwe said, is a formidable and cohesive film professional body with its members spread across the 19 Northern States of the federation.

    He called on its leadership to ensure that film production activities across the states it operates are mainstreamed in order to positively impact on the region, and on Nigeria.

  • MOPPAN commends NFC

    MOPPAN commends NFC

    The Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MOPPAN, has thrown its weight behind the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), pledging its support and endorsement for its initiatives, and projects which impacts positively on the growth of the Nigerian film industry.

    These positions were expressed by the newly elected executive members of MOPPAN during a visit to the NFC headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Monday, May 22, 2017.

    Led by its president, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano Usman, the 15-member executive of MOPPAN also reeled out a 6-point agenda it seeks to accomplish within the shortest possible time.

    Usman listed standardisation of the film industry through capacity building and training, fight against piracy and the mounting of a film festival as some of MOPPAN’s key components of its roadmap for the Nigerian motion picture industry.

    MOPPAN, he said, recognises the film sector as a net contributor to the nations GDP. He also lauded the federal government for placing premium on alternative revenue stream for the nation with emphasis on the film sector, apart from agriculture and its continued commitment to the NFC.

    MOPPAN, he also said will rely on the expertise, competence and capacity of the National Film Institute & Media Arts Studies, Jos for the training of its members based on the correct modalities being referred to as the “Kano Template” in the film industry.

    Usman equally listed poor funding and the absence of a structured industry are some of the teething challenges the film sector of Nigeria faces at the moment.

    Responding, NFC’s managing director, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, described the visit, the first by any motion picture association or guild, as a commitment and show of solidarity for the decision of NFC to rejig activities that will ultimately propel the Nigerian film industry to greater heights.

    MOPPAN, Maduekwe said, is a formidable and cohesive film professional body with its members spread across the 19 Northern States of the federation.

    He called on its leadership to ensure that film production activities across the states it operates are mainstreamed in order to positively impact on the region, and on Nigeria.

  • NFC, Kano State partner on film training

    NFC, Kano State partner on film training

    Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr. Chidia Maduekwe has said that the Corporation, under him, has reached an agreement with the Kano State government to train 450 youths from across the 44 local government areas of the state in film production and entrepreneurship.

    The programme is expected to be delivered by the film industry development agency through its training arms; the National Film Institute and Media Arts Studies (NAFIMAS).

    Maduekwe who appeared to have hit the ground running shortly after his appointment as new head of the NFC, said his team has developed a template based on the agreement with the Kano State Government to market this special film training programme to other states of the federation.

    “It is expected that at the end of the special film training, participants will not only be self-employed but employers of labour in their own right,” said the NFC chief.

    The programme, according to Maduekwe, “will massively reduce youth unemployment across the country in keeping with the present administration vision of job creation and diversify the economy by exploiting the potentials of the non- oil sector of the Nigerian economy.”

    Praising the initiative during the interactive forum between the NFC and the film industry stakeholders in Northern Nigeria and swearing-in of new executives of Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the Tropical Hotel, Kano, Director General, Kano State Film and Video Censor Board (KSFVCB), Mallam Ismail Na’aba described it as a welcome development.

  • NFC chief: my plan for film corporation

    NFC chief: my plan for film corporation

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) was established in 1979 to help in the development of the film industry and offer training for professionals in the area of production and post production. TONY AKOWE who visited the NFC recently reports the problems that have bogged down the institution.

    The appointment of Dr. Chidia Maduekwe as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) no doubt came as a big relief to staff of the corporation. Many of them have complained secretly, of the handling of the organisation by the management who did little or nothing to better the lot of the place and harness the potential available in the industry to turn film-making in the country into a great employment potential.

    Not even the training aspect of the corporation was adequately utilized to empower the youths to boost the entertainment industry in the country.

    Interestingly, the corporation which is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring quality film production in the country has had to grapple with series of problems over the years.  These problems, it seems, have hampered the corporation which also has a training arm by not playing the role it is expected to play in the nation’s movie industry. Former Managing Director of the NFC, Danjuma Dadu said the major problem facing the establishment has been lack of synergy between the corporation and stakeholders in the industry and the lack of money to provide the needed facilities for movie production in the country. Dadu lamented the lack of harmony in the film industry saying that disagreement among key players in the industry cannot move the industry forward.

    He attributed the lack of visibility of the corporation to lack of funds, pointing out that before 2015, the capital budget for the corporation was only N25 million which has however risen to N500million. He told the new Managing Director that one of the issues he must deal with is attracting people to the Nigerian film festivals, saying “we attend film festivals, but nobody attends our own.”

    A tour of the corporation revealed that despite the vast hectares of land available to it as a film village, the corporation is far from achieving its potential due to what many of the staff described as total lack of initiative by the Dadu-led management. At the proposed film village which is supposed to serve as the permanent site of the corporation, farming activities thrive on their land. The old structures on the land are begging for attention while two blocks of hostels have just been constructed by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) through collaboration with the University of Jos, while another structure being constructed is said to be a constituency project. The Nation observed that there was nothing on ground at the site to suggest that the place will be put to use soon.

    Maduekwe is however optimistic that something good can still come out of the place.  He told The Nation that he intends to work with stakeholders in the industry to reposition the place to perform the role it was set up to perform. Though a medical doctor, he said he was coming into the industry with what he described as “medicine for movie”.

    He said he was conscious of the fact that nobody can tell the Nigerian story more than Nigerians, hence the need to harness the potential in the industry. He also told the staff members that for the corporation to achieve its mandate, they must change their attitude to work. He said his plan was to make the industry fashionable to be able to attract investors, saying “if it is fashionable to farm now, why can’t it be fashionable to make movies. I am not here to think that things are bad and so, we cannot move forward.

    I am here to tell you that the NFC will work and surpass what the agriculture revolution has achieved in the country. We shall seek collaboration with professionals in the industry, stakeholders, relevant government agencies and investors, with a view to synergising appropriately and create the needed impetus to propel the industry to greater height.

    We will aspire to lead the industry from the vantage position of a government agency and use the platform as an enabler in a globally competitive industry. This way, film-making shall become a professionally rewarding calling and a profitable investment, impressive enough to attract credible foreign investments.”

  • Medicine for Movie: New Film Corporation boss undaunted by predecessor’s story of woes

    Medicine for Movie: New Film Corporation boss undaunted by predecessor’s story of woes

    The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) was established in 1979 to help in the development of the film industry and offer training for professionals in the area of production and post production. TONY AKOWE who visited the NFC recently reports the problems that have bogged down the institution.

    The appointment of Dr. Chidia Maduekwe as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) no doubt came as a big relief to staff of the corporation. Many of them have complained secretly, of the handling of the organisation by the management who did little or nothing to better the lot of the place and harness the potential available in the industry to turn film-making in the country into a great employment potential. Not even the training aspect of the corporation was adequately utilized to empower the youths to boost the entertainment industry in the country.

    Interestingly, the corporation which is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring quality film production in the country has had to grapple with series of problems over the years.  These problems, it seems, have hampered the corporation which also has a training arm by not playing the role it is expected to play in the nation’s movie industry. Former Managing Director of the NFC, Danjuma Dadu said the major problem facing the establishment has been lack of synergy between the corporation and stakeholders in the industry and the lack of money to provide the needed facilities for movie production in the country. Dadu lamented the lack of harmony in the film industry saying that disagreement among key players in the industry cannot move the industry forward. He attributed the lack of visibility of the corporation to lack of funds, pointing out that before 2015, the capital budget for the corporation was only N25 million which has however risen to N500million. He told the new Managing Director that one of the issues he must deal with is attracting people to the Nigerian film festivals, saying “we attend film festivals, but nobody attends our own.”

    A tour of the corporation revealed that despite the vast hectares of land available to it as a film village, the corporation is far from achieving its potential due to what many of the staff described as total lack of initiative by the Dadu-led management. At the proposed film village which is supposed to serve as the permanent site of the corporation, farming activities thrive on their land. The old structures on the land are begging for attention while two blocks of hostels have just been constructed by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) through collaboration with the University of Jos, while another structure being constructed is said to be a constituency project. The Nation observed that there was nothing on ground at the site to suggest that the place will be put to use soon.

    Maduekwe is however optimistic that something good can still come out of the place.  He told The Nation that he intends to work with stakeholders in the industry to reposition the place to perform the role it was set up to perform. Though a medical doctor, he said he was coming into the industry with what he described as “medicine for movie”. He said he was conscious of the fact that nobody can tell the Nigerian story more than Nigerians, hence the need to harness the potential in the industry. He also told the staff members that for the corporation to achieve its mandate, they must change their attitude to work. He said his plan was to make the industry fashionable to be able to attract investors, saying “if it is fashionable to farm now, why can’t it be fashionable to make movies. I am not here to think that things are bad and so, we cannot move forward.  I am here to tell you that the NFC will work and surpass what the agriculture revolution has achieved in the country. We shall seek collaboration with professionals in the industry, stakeholders, relevant government agencies and investors, with a view to synergising appropriately and create the needed impetus to propel the industry to greater height. We will aspire to lead the industry from the vantage position of a government agency and use the platform as an enabler in a globally competitive industry. This way, film-making shall become a professionally rewarding calling and a profitable investment, impressive enough to attract credible foreign investments.”

  • NFC: Anyone but Dadu

    WHILE some practitioners in the film industry are crying wolf over the new appointments in the culture and entertainment sector, my take, especially for the Nigerian Film Corporation, was that, rather than renew the appointment of erstwhile MD of the Corporation, Engr Danjuma Dadu, it should be just anyone.  Dadu has been tested for four years, and it became clear to all what a square peg in a round hole he turned out.

    I am indifferent to the appointment of Dr. Chidia Maduekwe as the new boss of NFC. This was exactly the treatment I accorded Dadu when in May, 2013, he was so named. Until a man is tested, there should be no result of a pass or fail. I am a journalist, and I do not see why I won’t take a similar appointment, if I am so bestowed. Wetin dey there abeg? After all, how many presidents of Nigeria, past and present studied Political Science in school? How many were Ward Counselors, Local Government Chairmen, State Governors, House of Reps members or Senators before being elected or made president?

    This is another ‘Game of Thrones’ as far as I am concerned. And until members of the film industry are politically mature for such appointments, I beg us to take what we get in our stride, and pray we would be fortunate to see these gambles play out in our favour. It really does not matter who heads the NFC.

    I use the word ‘We’ because I am as interested as any stakeholder who wants the best for the film industry. Let’s also say that I am tired of reporting negative stories about the leadership of these agencies and bitter politics of guilds and association. Who negative story epp sef? Thank God Box Office earnings are on the rise.

    I have learnt in life that a good friend is better than a bad brother – a friend here being a non-practitioner of film helming the NFC and a brother being a filmmaker in the same position. I bet that if the film industry is asked to organize primaries for candidates to the NFC or National Film and Video Censors Board (NFC), it might end in series of litigations outliving the election itself.

    For a film industry that is as divided as the boundaries in the Nigerian map, how to attain unity in diversity without considering a proposition like the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) may continue to be an illusion.

    Need I say that those calling for protest over these appointments are merely crying over spilled milk – perhaps because it didn’t pour in their mouths or in those of members of their camp, as against genuine interest for the film industry.

    Like someone said: “You can never satisfy Nigerians, as long as the person appointed is not “my person”, then it is always a wrong appointment.

    “There is nothing like the perfect person, I believe we should see how they perform on the job first before we start condemning their appointments.”

    What I think the industry’s agencies need are visionary, intelligent, selfless and result-oriented leaders. Who says it is only among the filmmakers that we can get those? Who says it only a filmmaker that can protect a filmmaker’s interest? And with the cat-and-mouse relationship that exists among filmmakers, who says a neutral person is not what the industry needs for sanity to prevail?

    We can only hope and pray that Oga Maduekwe turns out to be that unassuming leader that the film industry needs, irrespective of his background as a medical doctor. One of the prayer points should also be that God should make him a fast learner and good listener who can steer the ship of existing technocrats.

    In this new journey of hope, let’s just say that the hand of a doctor is therapeutic… not like the violent repairs by the sledgehammer of an engineer.