Entertainment
THE Anambra State government has set aside N50 million to promote Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Film Academy.
Governor Willie Obiano said this during the graduation ceremony for pioneer students of the academy held at ABS headquarters, Awka.
The academy commenced the programme in March with various production courses, including directing, broadcast journalism, script writing, cinematography, makeup/special effects and animation.
The programme was the brain child of Uche Nworah, the managing director of ABS.
He started the programme with the first 35 students, who registered for the courses.
Obiano said that his administration would `leave no stones unturned’ in creating windows of opportunities for youths to thrive.
He noted that his government was working through the Ministry of Local Artwork, Culture and Tourism to make the state, the best location for shooting of films and other productions in the entertainment industry.
While commending the MD, the governor noted that government invested huge amount in digitising the station to give it to compete with other international stations.
Obiano urged the graduates to emulate renowned actors who had made their mark in the movie industry.
The commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba said the programme followed government’s blueprint geared toward giving financial freedom to every youth in the state.
He said that plans had been perfected to include training on entrepreneurship in the curriculum of next batch of students of the academy.
Nick Okoye, chairman, State Youth Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Creative Economy Council, announced that the council was making plans to create cinemas in all the local government areas which would become a marketplace for the industry in the state.
Earlier, Uche Nworah, the ABS MD, noted that the academy which would be practical-based sourced resources persons from within and outside ABS to train the graduates.
He added that the initiative was envisioned to give vent to the creative abilities of youths in the area of filmmaking.
Pete Edochie, veteran actor and ace broadcaster, acknowledged what the state government was doing in exploring the talents that abound in the entertainment industry, saying it would make the state a hub for creative economy in Africa.
Some of the graduating students, including Emeka Muomezie, Grace Okoli-Emmanuel, and Judah Onyeogu who benefitted from the training could not hide their joy for the opportunity,
The ceremony attracted personalities in the Nigerian movie industry, including, Edochie, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Tony ‘One Week’ Muonagor, Yul Edochie, top government functionaries and members of Anambra State House of Assembly.
The governor presented certificates to the graduates while some short films produced by the students were displayed.
– Jul. 30, 2018 @ 18:25 GMT |
Tags: Government sets aside N50m for film academy
