Saraki calls for support for Nollywood

Senate president, Dr. Olubukola Saraki has said that government’s support for the Nigerian movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood, will help grow the economy and as well make the industry great.

Saraki made the statement in Lagos when the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), led by its president, Emeka Rollas Ejezie, paid him a courtesy visit.

He noted that the nation can achieve more from the sector if adequately supported.

“The economy will not grow by chance. But, it’s my belief that if duly supported, Nollywood will not only be number one in the world but will create job opportunities, increase the country’s GDP and reduce poverty, among several other advantages.

“Hollywood is great today because the American government supported and funded the industry. Same can be possible for Nollywood,” the kwara state former governor said.

To back his call with action, Senator Saraki supported the AGN foundation with N5 million, even as he called on well-meaning Nigerians to equally support the foundation, so as to achieve its objectives, including but not limited to taking care of the health needs of veterans and celebrities, more especially at old age; engage in community development which will enable it reach out to the downtrodden in the society, as part of AGN’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Reacting to the gesture, the AGN president, Emeka Rollas appreciated Saraki and called on the the National Assembly to support the industry by providing legislative solutions that will lift the entertainment industry.

“An industry as big as Nollywood has no structure, no film studios and other facilities that obtains in the western world. Let the government put in place the necessary legislative instruments in conjunction with practitioners, so that every other aspect will fall in place.”

For an industry that has raked in about $7.2 billion, contributing more than 1.4 per cent to the country’s GDP, Rollas regretted that most veterans who have laboured and employed their skills towards the development of the industry do not have anything to fall back on after decades of service.

“The era of begging money for ailing members because of huge medical bills should be a thing of the past that is why the AGN has set up a foundation with the sole mandate of raising a N500 million Endowment Fund for actors and, also, as a medium to give back to the fans by engaging in community development projects,” he said.

On his part, Segun Arinze, Chairman of the fund raiser for the AGN Foundation, pledged that the foundation will serve as a platform to unite actors in Nigeria and bring them together for a common good, especially during community development projects.

Other BoT members, the national executive council, chairmen of the state chapters and members of the AGN, among other dignitaries, were present at the occasion.