Atiku meets entertainers, reiterates support for creative industry if elected president

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said that the creative industry is critical in creating jobs for the economy.

Atiku stated this at a recent engagement with some members of the Creative industry in Lagos.

The former Vice President, who has continuously reiterated his passion for youths and job creation said that the industry has the capacity to employ more youths.

“This industry is a rapidly growing industry and it is virtually driven by young men and women which means it reflects the ingenuity of millions of young Nigerians. Our focus is on youths. Through the various presentations,  I have come to realise that the creative industry is a multi-billion industry which can contribute to our national economy and create millions of jobs. I am totally committed to supporting the industry to make it a big supplier of jobs,” he said.

At the forum which was attended by musicians, filmmakers actors, producers and theatre practitioners, stakeholders presented their demands to the presidential candidate who was in the company of his running mate, Peter Obi and the Director-General of his Campaign, Bukola Saraki.

Some of their agitations include the non-implementation of the Copyright Levy, infrastructure deficit and non-appointment of stakeholders into agencies concerned  with the industry.

“We are very much interested in having some of our colleagues appointed into certain offices so that we can take part in the policy making of the country,” said Norbert Ajaegbu, a lawyer and copyright activist

“We have highly intellectual persons among us in this industry. Most of the regulatory bodies in the film industry at the National level are headed by individuals who are not in the film industry, we want some of our intellects to be appointed.”

Ajaegbu also called for an executive bill that will bind the industry together, making reference to the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPICON) bill which is yet to see the light of the day.

Also speaking, Founder of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe called for an enabling environment for the creative industry.

“We have been doing a lot for Nigeria. Nollywood is an example of the ‘I-Can-Do spirit of Nigeria. The Creative industry be it the music, film or fashion was started by us and for us. Not the government. We need policies, give us the enabling environment to continue what we have done for Nigeria. Give us the policies, give us tax deductions that will attract filmmakers to Nigeria. We have beautiful locations. Go to Bayelsa, we have the longest coastline. All the post offices around the world, convert them to viewing centres for the creative industry,” she demanded.

Having listened to the various presentations, Atiku promised to do their bidding.

“I have also listened to some of the requests, and I am also committed to appointing industry professionals. We have the various government parastatals that have regulatory power of your industry such as the Nigerian Copyright Commission and the National Film and Video Censor Board, it will be headed by somebody from the industry.”

He continued: “If we want to promote this industry, we have to make sure that they have access to funding either from the government or private sector because this funding can be refunded.  This is an industry that has the capacity to make billions of dollars in the economy. I also agree that government should support tax incentives if they really want to grow and they need to grow so that they can supply as many jobs as possible. That incentive is necessary. We will also see to the  implementation of legislatures and working with the private sector to ensure that some of the international film schools can be effectively managed.

“I am committed to providing enabling environment to promote this industry because if you read our economy plan you will find that creating jobs is our top priority and I have come to realise that this industry is one of the topmost to achieve that. Moreso, your jobs will capture the right segment of our population, the youths…You can hold me responsible for all the commitments I made.”

He further tasked the filmmakers in the gathering to make a short film that will encourage Nigerians to vote in the upcoming elections.