ABUJA – The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) says its collaboration on movie production with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, UNICEF and the UN Women will highlight the role of women in peace building.
The Head of Public Affairs of the corporation, Mr Brian Etuk, made the assertion in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Film Corporation in August 2014 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations (UN Women).
The MoU is intended to partner and jointly develop projects and activities to advance the rights and opportunities of women through film.
The statement said the partnership would enable film makers undertake movie production that would highlight the impact of conflict on women as well as showcase the pivotal position of women in promoting peace.
It said the collaboration would provide various support windows for Nigerian film makers to engage in the promotion and production of films and documentaries.
The statement said the movies would engender peace, security and development in the country.
It said the collaboration was also to commemorate the 2014 International Day of Peace which kicked off on Sept. 21.
“Thirty years down the line, after the declaration of the United Nations General Assembly for global peace, it has become much more expedient now, for Nigerian film makers to champion the quest for endurable and lasting peace for Nigeria through film.
“Film has the double power of appealing to the conscience of people and therefore a veritable tool that can easily be used to achieve peace,’’ the statement quoted NFC’s Managing Directo, Dr Danjuma Dadu as saying.
It noted that part of the NFC’s responsibility in the partnership was the promotion of sustainable peace, security, development and the rights of people, especially vulnerable groups, including women and children.
[eap_ad_2] It eulogised the professional ingenuity of Nigerian film makers and their competence to undertake film projects that bothered on promotion of peace.
According to the statement, NFC will continue to provide training opportunities for Nigerian film creators to hone their skills and be at par with their foreign counterparts.
It stressed the need for all movie makers to understand the various challenges militating against the movie industry in the country.
The statement said that inadequate funding, training, piracy, unprofessional and unethical practices were some of the major problems hindering the expansion of the nation’s movie industry .
It called on stakeholders in the industry to support the efforts of NFC at addressing the challenges.
“Promoting women’s engagement in peace and security in Northern Nigeria is the focus of the partnership which is being funded by the European Union,” the statement said.
It urged Nigerian film makers to take the lead in highlighting the consequences of insurgency, domestic violence, rape, discrimination and negative practices against women and the girl child.
The statement, added that the partnership would ultimately lead to sustainable peace building efforts by Nigeria. (NAN)
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