Jos – The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Sunday called for synergy between the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and practitioners for speedy development of the film industry in the country.
Mohammed gave the task after he inspected the corporation’s equipment and training institute in Jos, Plateau.
“There is need for synergy between the corporation and practitioners in the industry.
“Today, the film corporation which supposes to lead the industry unfortunately because of lack of resources, physically is not too much in tune with the industry.
“The Nigerian Film Corporation is especially meant to play an important role in the film industry in Nigeria.’’
The minister said the law setting up NFC actually saddled the corporation with responsibility for the development of film industry.
“ It also gives it responsibility to support the industry even to give resources and finance to film production and others.
“But giving a lot of responsibilities with very little resources to match are areas we are going to look into.’’
Mohammed also noted that the National Film Institute had succeeded in changing its status from Monotechnic to polytechnic to enable it to access Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) to properly fund the institute.
“I have just been told that one of the handicap of this institute is because it is regarded as monotechnic and as a monotechnic, it cannot access TETFUND or other facilities.
“But only this year, the institute succeeded in changing it from monotechnic to polytechnic because it is now National Film Institute and Media Art.’’
The minister expressed optimism that with the change, the institute would be able to access more fund for the development of the film and media art.
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According to him, even at this stage, the institute has succeeded through the University of Jos to access some fund.
“It is what they are using to build sound studio and procure equipment for post editing.
“I think gradually with the change in its status, the institute will be able to discharge its function for which it is set up,’’ he said. (NAN)
