Chris Ihidero writes Buhari ... ‘Don’t consider unnecessary financial aid for Nollywood’

Life is truly a case of different strokes for different folks. While some believe that government is not doing enough to support, aid, fund the movie sector, a filmmaker, Chris Ihidero, has come out to advice Nigeria’s next President, General Muhammadu Buhari, that he shouldn’t consider frivolous claims for financial support from Nollywood. Succinctly, Ihidero pointed out to Buhari that “please don’t give Nollywood money. Let me clarify sir. PLEASE DON’T GIVE US MONEY TO MAKE COMMERCIAL FILMS. Sorry to write in caps sir but I needed to do that so those who may want to misconstrue my words can see clearly. “Your predecessor, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, did a lot for the industry. Let’s give a man his due. He recognised the industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP. He made funds available through the Bank of Industry, NEXIM Bank and the Project Act Nollywood project. “Some of those funds have led to the creation and expansion of cinema chains like FilmHouse Cinemas, as well as Gabosky’s G-Media platform for DVD distribution. It was the right thing to do and it should be commended. My grouse is how some of these funds have been spent on training and film funding. “Nollywood was born as a commercial film industry. People made films to make money, to return investment and make a profit if possible. At its birth, practitioners mortgaged homes, sold their cars, invested their house rents and children’s school fees, risked lives and limbs to birth and build an industry. And what’s happening now? A rent-seeking mentality has descended on the industry like evil spirit and it’s eating away its soul. Sadly, your predecessor encouraged this mentality too. You need to stop it sir before it ruins one of the best things to ever happen to Nigeria.” Want to read more of Ihidero’s pragmatic, shocking and surprising opinion on government’s funding of Nollywood? Then catch up with his column, Chris Ihidero Unedited, at thenet.ng.