Makinde defends Jonathan's N3b grant for Nollywood

Hon. Rotimi Makinde

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Hon Rotimi Makinde has thrown his weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan in his new call to offer Nollywood N3 billion to improve on the standard and quality of films produced in the country's movie making industry.


Makinde, deputy Chairman House committee on Human Rights who is also a stakeholder in Nollywood rebuffed calls by some lawmakers to stop President Jonathan from redeeming his pledge to strengthen and empower Nollywood.

He said the proposed N3 billion by the President is a good step in the right direction adding that nothing else can help to rebrand the image of the country other than the resourceful efforts put together by brilliant men and women in Nollywood. According to him "these moral icons deserve to be encouraged, supported and compensated accordingly."

Hon Makinde further said that Nollywood if well managed can help boost the country's revenue, help in capacity building and reduce unemployment and combat positively with other social vices in the society. The industry over the years have helped to inform, educate, orientate and entertain millions of

Nigerians and non Nigerians alike in the comfort of their homes, churches, mosques, schools, cinema houses offices etc.

Recall President Goodluck Jonathan recently unveiled N3 billion package to help turnaround Nigeria’s movie industry, Nollywood, which has seen growth in production and sales within past years, but remains heavily criticized for low content quality. The package, to be launched which is known as “Project Nollywood”, will include grants for the best film scripts, a capacity development fund, and funds for supporting the industry’s infrastructure. The scheme will be launched in the first week of April, and will be managed by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.