Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and former governor of Anambra State Okwadike Chukwuemeka Ezeife have called on movie directors in Nigeria to use the movie industry as a tool to reset the conscience of Nigerian leaders to ensure good leadership towers higher than personal interest.
The leaders who spoke recently during the inauguration of the newly elected executives of Association of Movie Producers, Abuja chapter at Abuja NICON LUXURY hotel insist that bad leadership has the tendency to erode the potentials of the industry.
Former Senate President, Anyim said that Nigerians should invest in the industry while not expecting instant returns from their investment.
He said, “There are more returns than money and that is what this industry stands for.”
The senator who jokingly declared his intention to join the movie industry following the footsteps of politicians like Dan Nwanyanwu, Dino Melaye and Femi Fani-Kayode said, “tomorrow holds huge for the movie industry.”
Also, Chief Ezeife advised that for a new Nigeria to be a possibility, “all young men in Nigeria must make sure they work for the resurrection of conscience in Nigeria. Until conscience in resurrected, there would not be a new Nigeria.”
Media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi decried the general down turn of activities in Nigeria. He said, “We had always believed that Nigeria is a very rich country but as you can see, the country is declining. May what is happening in Nigeria never happen to movie industry. ”
In his brief address, the new executive of AMP, Abuja Chapter led by Chris Oge Kalu noted that Nollywood is one of the fastest growing industries in direct competition with agriculture in employment creation, and with a remarkable 3 percent annual contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, producing over 2, 500 film products annually.
“This is a viable industry with high international ratings. You can’t afford to miss a bite! And we also wish to appeal to relevant authorities to show more commitment towards financing this industry through a dedicated Bank of Nollywood, like we have the Band of Agriculture and the Bank of Industry.
“I wish to finally declare that we have been assured of the full and unwavering support of our National President and her executives as we seek to reach a new height for the Association of Movie Producers Abuja Chapter.”
Other dignitaries that graced the occassion include the National President of the Association of Movie Producers, Barr. Peace Anyiam – Osigwe, the immediate past Chairperson of the Association of Movie Producers Abuja Chapter, Mrs. Imaobong Abia, Chief Barr. Dan Iweanyanwu, National Chairman, Zenith Labour Party, and Dr Leonard Nzenwa national chairman, inter-party advisory council of Nigeria (IPAC) IPAC.
Others Professor Josiah Sabo Kante, Former Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, National Films and Video Censorship Board, Tony Ojukwu Esq., Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Dr. Kemdi Chino Opara, President, Kemdi Chino Opara Foundation USA amongst others
