Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
Film  

Partnership across border to lift arts, tourism

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja
19 June 2016   |   2:31 am
A move to enhance unity of West and East Africa has been initiated by the government of Tanzania and the management of Atunda Entertainment, a Nigerian private sector owned theatre and movie production outfit.

Atunda--19-6-16

A move to enhance unity of West and East Africa has been initiated by the government of Tanzania and the management of Atunda Entertainment, a Nigerian private sector owned theatre and movie production outfit.

Tagged, West/East Amalgamation Through Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, the initiative aimed at bridging the existing gap between countries of the west and those of the east regions.

The new project, which would be devoted to the production of movies and musicals through the collaboration of Nigerian and Tanzanian artistes was disclosed by the Tanzania High Commissioner to Nigeria, Daniel O. Njoolay and the President, Atunda Entertainment, Dr. Wanle Akinboboye, last weekend in Abuja.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) already endorsed by both parties, the scheme will kick off early August at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Ikegun Village, Lekki, Lagos.

The facility, which is owned by Akinboboye would be playing host to select artistes and crew, who will be coming together to create and produce a movie script within two weeks.

In the third week, the entire crew would be expected to move over to Tanzania for the premiere of the movie. According to the MoU, the show will be attended by government officials, business moguls and other personalities as well as the general public from both countries.

The premiere will also feature musical performances by artistes drawn from both countries and which would afterwards be recorded and commercially produced.

Thereafter, a second movie would be shot and produced in Tanzania, which would be premiered in Nigeria and would feature musical performance.

Njoolay further revealed that the title of the maiden film to be shot in Tanzania is My Pride, a one and half hour production that will capture the socio-cultural sensibilities of the people.

Njoolay, who took time to give historic account of the project conceptualisation and benefits to the creative industry and youths of each country, pointed out that motion picture in Tanzania lacked the necessary skills and expertise.

As Nigeria ranked among major movie-makers in the world, the diplomat said the partnership will benefit his country in the area of artistic and creative technological transfer.

According to him, Tanzanian government through the Ministry of Culture is fully involved in the project and would be committing funds to it.

In his word: “Our movie stars still lack the skill. It will be a form of artistic technological transfer when we bring artistes to come and perform jointly with experienced Nigerian artistes. We have reached a good point and everything is moving on fast. Everything begins on August 1.

Njoolay also harped on the tourism benefits of the project, as it is expected to boost the tourism potential of both countries.

To underscore how serious the country takes the project, he stated that the Director, Tanzania Film Board, Joyce Fisoo has already been to Nigeria to meet with Akinboboye.

In his remarks, Akinboboye expressed the need to diversify the economy, especially that of Nigeria which has relied solely on oil.

“The need to diversify the economy is over flogged. It is long overdue. In diversification, you have to appraise your strength and opportunities. Our strength is our creativity.

“We are number one in Africa in movie and music. But how much value has it added to us and how much value has it added to the continent? If Africa laugh and play together, they will rise together.

“Artistic endeavours are the best way to foster Africa unity. Let us go to East Africa to help brothers develop their movie industry”, he stated.

Akinboboye also wondered why many Nigerians are ignorant of the tourism potentials of Tanzania.

“I believe strongly that if Tanzania can be number two in the world, the project can only explore and enhance both nations’ tourism industries. Let us go to East Africa and develop their movie industry.

“With effort like this, definitely, Africa will be rising”, Akinboboye said.

0 Comments