ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – A US-based Nigerian intellectual, Mr. Emeka Chiakwelu has been nominated into the prestigious America Film Institute (AFI).
Chiakwelu is a policy strategist and environmental consultant and he is the principal policy strategist at AFRIPOL (Africa Political and Economic Strategic Centre). AFRIPOL is a policy public centre that
primarily analyses and recommends policies for African economic and political advancement. Chiakwelu is also a partner in Texas Storm and
Engineering, an environmental consulting firm based in Houston, Texas.
The AFI occupies a superlative cultural epicentre in American film industry especially in Hollywood. The
institute is composed of leaders from the film, entertainment, business and academic communities. It is also an organisation that educates filmmakers and honours the heritage of the moving picture arts in America.
In a statement sent to Sundiata Post, Chiakwelu promised that he would use his position in AFI to promote Nollywood and its contribution to the
global film industry. He said he would let the American movie industry realise that Nigeria’s Nollywood is open for business.
“Nollywood films can be a great source of foreign exchange for Nigeria in the face of declining oil price and can even replace crude oil as a major
source of foreign exchange for our country”, Chiakwelu said.