The Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) has urged the Plateau Government to explore the enormous opportunities in the creativity industry to boost internal revenue and shore up Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
Its Managing Director, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Jos.
“The fact that Jos is hosting the corporation is an opportunity to engage its youths to develop themselves in different creative paths which will, in turn, create jobs and wealth for the state.
”I want Plateau to realise the potential inherent in it as a state. The Federal Government in its wisdom brought the audio visual headquarters of Nigeria to this state.
”I am calling on the state government to tap into this opportunity to boost internally generated revenue.
”Plateau is host to the film corporation with its institute which will soon become the first ever film university in West Africa; it is an opportunity for the government to leverage on the opportunity to train its own,” he stated.
Maduekwe opined that about 20 to 30 youths per Local Government should be sponsored by government yearly, to acquire knowledge and skills in different specialties in the institute.
He added that the Nigerian creative industry was fast becoming the creative centre of the world, with international entertainment giants such as Netflix coming into the country in search of content.
”The government should at least sponsor 20 to 30 youths youths yearly to become experts in creativity; by the time you do that for 10 years, this state will be bustling with exposed talents.
”These young men and women will create jobs for themselves while others will find their way to creative centres around the world, sending in millions of dollars to the state.
”Netflix today is rushing to Nigeria and many of our young people are being signed. When we do this, jobs will be created, taxes will be created and more revenue will accrue,” he said.
He added that Jos could only be compared to Hollywood in Carlifornia, stating that tourism alone could increase its GDP.
The NCF boss, however, noted that this could only be achieved through film making as it was currently possible for tourism to happen through content posted on sites, such as YouTube. (NAN)
