Abuja – Mr Manfred Nzekwe, the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Tourism Development, has called for the development of the movie industry to boost tourism in the state.
Nzekwe, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the state with its many cultural attractions, could be captured and documented in movie productions of international standards.
“It is indisputable that the film medium is a powerful weapon for influencing the behaviours and attitudes of people positively or negatively.
“Unfortunately, due to exposure to foreign films, our people, especially the youths, have been negatively influenced and this has resulted in moral decadence and erosion of our cherished cultural values.
“I am fully convinced that our cultural values can be reinvented through Nollywood, our own film industry,’’ he said.
Nzekwe said that the film industry could be explored as a viable vehicle for promoting the cultural and traditional tourist attractions of the diverse peoples of the country.
He said that Nollywood already had a huge fan base, both in Nigeria and abroad.
He added that the fans were often fascinated by the culture and tradition depicted in the movies which often deepened their understanding and enjoyment.
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“This ultimately induces them to visit some of the locations depicted.
“When anyone is watching our movies, whether here or abroad, he or she will be able to identify the locations and find such locations in Nigeria.
“Through the movie industry, we can project the cultural and traditional attractions of our people to other parts of the country as well as the rest of the world.
“We will need the support and cooperation of all Nigerians and key stakeholders, like Nollywood, to make Nigerians appreciate the enormous socio-economic and political benefits of living in harmony.’’
According to Nzekwe, to revamp the Nigerian economy, it is imperative to diversify in the face of dwindling oil price.
“In this regard, an industry that generates about 600 million U.S. dollars annually for the Nigerian economy and employs over a million Nigerians requires serious attention.
Nzekwe called on all stakeholders to collaborate to simultaneously develop both the tourism and movie industries noting that Enugu State was home to the movie industry.
“You cannot talk about the movie industry in Nigeria without Enugu State featuring prominently; it occupies a unique place in the industry.
“The Nigerian movies have helped to promote and preserve the way of life of not only Enugu State indigenes but also the entire nation,’’ he said.
Nzekwe said that a well-developed movie industry would enhance the potential of Enugu State and Nigeria in general, as a tourist destination. (NAN)
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