The Managing Director, Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) Dr Chidia Maduekwe has advised the Plateau State government to explore the creative industry to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Maduekwe gave the advice in an interview with Journalists in Jos on Friday.
He said, Jos being the host city of the corporation gave the state an opportunity to engage its youths to develop themselves in different creative paths which would in turn create jobs and wealth for the state.
“I want Plateau state to realise the potential inherent in them as a state, the federal government in its wisdom broughtthe audio visual headquarters of Nigeria to this state.
“I therefore call on the state government to look into tapping from this capacity that they have been given in the creative industry to boost their internally generated revenue.
“Plateau is host to the film corporation, with its institute which will soon become the first ever film university in West Africa, it is an opportunity for the government to take leverage on the opportunity to train its own.
Maduekwe suggested that 20 to 30 youths per local government council area should be sponsored by government annualy to acquire knowledge and skills in different specialties in the institute.
He added that the Nigerian creative industry was fast becoming the creative centre of the world with international entertainment giants such as Netflix coming into the country in search of content.
“The government should at least sponsor 20 to 30 youths youths yearly to become experts in creativity, by the time you do that for 10 years this state will be bustling with talents. These young men and women will create jobs for themselves while others will find their way to creative centres around the world sending in millions of dollars to the state.
“Netflix today is rushing to Nigeria and many of our young stories are being signed, when we do this, jobs will be created, tax will be created and have revenue,” he said.
He added that Jos could only be compared to Hollywood in Carlifornia, stating that tourism alone could increase its GDP.
He said that boosting the lGR could only be achieved through film making as it were now possible for tourism to happen through content posted on sites such as YouTube.
