Nkem Owoh
Popular Nollywood actor,
Nkem Owoh, also known as Osuofia, on Friday urged the President Muhammadu
Buhari-led administration to formulate policies that would make the Nigerian
film industry to contribute to the nation’s economic development.
Osuofia told the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the country’s movie industry was capable of
contributing more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if given the
necessary support than it was currently doing.
Nollywood, as the Nigerian film industry is christened, is said to be worth
about three billion dollars annually, better than Hollywood by volume, and
right behind India’s Bollywood.
The actor added that lack
of adequate government attention, especially in the fight against piracy, had
limited the industry’s contributory potential.
He said: ``I will want
the three tiers of government to put their viewfinders toward Nollywood since
they have recognised that Nollywood helps in the per capita income of the
country.
``I feel that they are
not paying enough attention to the movie industry.
``So, them give us
policies that will make this industry stand and defend this country.’’
Owoh, however, expressed
the satisfaction that the industry was living up to its billing.
`` I feel the movie
industry is thriving and we are contributing our quota to the economic
advancement of the country which makes me very, very happy.
``Since we are not
relegated to the background, we will continue to strive harder in the
development of the country in general.
``So I am happy to be a
member of the Nollywood and see the improvement in Nollywood for now.’’
Osuofia said that the
industry had improved in the qualities of movies produced by its members with
their foreign partners.
This, he attributed to
what he called ‘Global Village’ phenomenon and access to the internet.
``When they say it (the
world) is a global village; you expect people of common interests from the
different countries of the world to come together.
``And with the help of
internet, we have been moving together and the synergy has been very
encouraging,’’ he said
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