The Nigerian Film Corporation has pledged its readiness to work in partnership with the Nigerian Military towards securing, protecting and ensuring national security and peace.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe made this pledge at the Nigerian Film Industry Stakeholders and the Defence HQ Department of Civil Military Cooperation held an interactive meeting in Abuja.
He said, “The Defence headquarters is as concerned as many of our citizens on the occasional appearances and portrayal of its personnel in some Nigerian films. Sometimes, such images tend to fall short of our national aspirations as proud Nigerians.
“We are indeed a great nation that has contributed so much to internal, regional, global peace and security. As such, our armed forces are continuously paying the supreme sacrifice to maintain the sovereignty of this country.
“They (military) certainly deserve our support and encouragement in all ramifications particularly on global viewing screens. As a great continental fighting force that has so much positive record to its credit, the time has come for us as a people to project the famed capabilities of our armed forces that earned them several accolades from the United Nations and otherworld bodies through the medium of motion picture for the future generations”.
Continuing he said, “Presently, there are many exploits by our armed men, that such stories can easily be produced as epic movies under effective supervision of our globally acclaimed Nigerian film makers.
“The Defence headquarters will be willing and hereby announces their preparedness to partner the Nigerian film industry stakeholders through the auspices of the Nigerian Film Corporation, to produce such world standard films that will be good for both local and global consumption.
“Military hardware’s and software required for such feature films will henceforth be made available for such collaboration, and with the needed funding provided to ensure successful outcomes of such endeavours”.
“At some other instances, individuals wishing to produce independent and private films shall be free to seek the needed assistance from the Defence headquarters that may not necessarily be requiring funding by the Defence HQ but rather merely guidance and training on how best to portray the armed services in such a Nigerian film”.
“The present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to ensure that we consume what we produce and this policy remains applicable in this proposed collaboration”.
Representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Rear Admiral Habila Ngalabak, who is also the Chief of Civil Military Corporation at Defence headquarters expressed the commitment of the CDS, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin to ensuring that the critical roles and sacrifices in ensuring the peace and security of the nation through tackling various security threats confronting the country are properly portrayed.
The stakeholder’s interactive meeting drew participants and film makers from the six geopolitical zones of the country including veterans film produces and editors guild in the industry.
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