Ohanaeze Ndigbo has agreed to partner Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) for establishment of one billion naira Ohanaeze Ndigbo/Nollywood Film Fund to promote Igbo language, culture and tradition.
The AGN National President, Mr Emeka Rollas, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
According to Rollas, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. George Obiozor, described the proposal for the partnership as laudable.
“I have gone through the partnership content and got your message very clearly, I will say that your entire request is already granted.
“It is a market that can sell and timely too. We are ready for the partnership, let’s start it right away.
“Let us know when you are ready to roll it out,” Rollas quoted Obiozor as saying.
Rollas said that the objective of the partnership was to use film as medium to promote Igbo language, culture, tradition, landmarks and the people.
“Our aim is to ensure everyone, particularly young people, wherever they live, can learn about and enjoy Igbo language, culture and tradition, landmarks and personalities.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch our language, culture and tradition go into extinction.
“This is the reason we are going into the wonderful partnership.
He said that partnership would help in reorienting Igbo youths and creating job opportunities for talented men and women.
“It is also to promote tourism potential and attraction to Igbo land, discover Igbo stars, reduce restiveness and crimes, and generate revenue,’’ he said.
According to Rollas, empowerment is one of the best ways to curb youth restiveness.
He said that Nollywood had played a key role in that area, noting that film making employed hundreds of talents.
He expressed delight at the endorsement of the partnership by Ohaneze Ndigbo.
“It will open a new vista of hope toward promotion of Igbo land,’’ he said.
The AGN boss said it was regrettable that some Igbo culture and tradition were being misrepresented in some films.
“It is rather unfortunate about the wrong perception of the Igbo man as a
ritualist and treacherous as being portrayed by some films.
“We have observed with regret, the near extinction of Igbo language and culture influenced by western culture, as well as the the impact of films on our society.
“Films mirror our diverse cultures, traditions and ways of life to the public; the most effective medium to export language, culture and heritage is film.”
The AGN president congratulated praised Obiozor for efforts in promoting societal values.
“Your landslide victory at the keenly contested election of January 10, is a sign that you are truly a man of the people, we are certain that your administration will give the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation a new lease of life,” he said.
