Speeches

The Movie Premiere Titled 18 Months

Aug 23, 2008 - In the last few years, I have followed with keen interest the phenomenal growth of the film industry in our country. The general audiences, which cut across different section of the society have been thrilled by the scintillating performance of our actors and actresses. As a matter of fact, the rich cultural undertone of most recent West African Films in recent times, especially in Nigerian Nollywood coupled with the quality of cast and screen display is an assurance that Nollywood has indeed come of age. I am also encouraged by the publicity our films and actors enjoys among their contemporaries in Hollywood and which is helping to portray the country in good image. I am sure, that today’s movie premiere, 18 months is also another mirror that will reflect our values and cultural heritage and bring solid entertainment to many homes.

It is against this background, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen that I feel delighted to join you this evening at this occasion of the Movie Premiere titled 18 Months produced by M and M Global Productions. I congratulate my brother, Mr. Micheal Nwaesei and the Production crew who have brought their Hollywood experience and training in the United States of America and marry it with the rich cultural experience of Africa.

In the words of the duo of Michael and Patricia Coronel “African Arts have always maintained an historical importance to social and political life, projecting strength of conviction that defines its rich artistic and aesthetic values”. Films and videos are fast becoming powerful tools of projecting and advertising this rich cultural and traditional heritage especially to the outside world. And I want to appreciate the efforts and initiative of our professionals for coming up with Nollywood to present a common front and make the Nigerian Film Industry more productive, more vibrant and more entertaining.

I am also happy that apart from the entertaining aspect, most of the films that are offered onto the Nigerian audience, are fast becoming money-spinning and lucrative venture that are helping to grow the Nigerian economy. They are also gradually becoming another veritable source of foreign exchange earnings to the country, attracting foreign investors in addition to promoting the image of the country and projecting our cultural heritage across the world.

More significantly, the growth of Nollywood is creating jobs and employment opportunities for many graduates, job seekers and helping to discover talents, celebrities and movie Stars in the country.

Lagos State, being the commercial hub of Nigeria is a large market for films and videos Distributorship, marketing and video renting jobs are being created, helping to put food on the tables of many families and thus helping to reduce poverty in the State.

I am aware of some of the challenges the industry is facing, which include piracy and limited capital. I would urge the regulatory authority to strengthen the legal framework to enforce laws against piracy and pornographies in film production. I believe that with a strong determination and persistent efforts of the stakeholders in Nollywood the industry will excel, you will overcome these challenges.

Aside this, I urge you to learn from Hollywood and Bollywood to further improve on the quality of production of these film and let them basically reflect the essence of our cultural heritage and values. You can try as much as possible to reduce the foreign contents and let your story line mirror more of African contents to promote moral, social and family values. There could be a subtle fusion of our local and foreign contents because of our contact with Western cultures, but we must not be carried away to the extent of losing our socio-cultural values.

I congratulate M and M Global Productions and the crew once again on the release of this film and I hope 18 Months will be a film that will make an impact in Nollywood, in Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general. With the quality of the state-of-art equipment used in the production and the vast experience of some of the characters and the producers, 18 Months will be a must-watch for every home and every family in the State.

As a government, we would continue to assist Nollywood to grow and support all the programmes of actions put forward to make the industry investment and investors-friendly to contribute to the socio-political, socio-cultural and economic development of our State.

I wish you a very pleasant evening and unforgettable viewing experience.

Thank you for listening.

“Eko O ni baje!

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State