COMMUNIQUE ON THE 3BILLION NAIRA GRANT FOR NOLLYWOOD

A group of Nollywood practitioners under the auspices of NOLLYWOOD MONITORS has commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for demonstrating his love once again for the Motion Picture Industry in Nigeria a.ka. Nollywood by the 3.Billion naira Federal Government grant he announced during the presidential dinner with Nollywood at state house Marina Lagos on 2^nd march 2013.

However the group strongly objects to Nollywood representation in the committee set up by government.

Rising from a five hour meeting on Saturday 30^th march 2013 in Surulere, lagos the following communique was issued:

1.  That the outcome of the so called stakeholders  meeting that held on Wednesday 27^th march 2013 at Zen garden Restaurant No 60 Isaac John street Ikeja Lagos be ignored and set aside as it did not display utmost good faith both in conveyance and organization. This has become inevitable as all Guilds and Association heads were not duly consulted and represented.

2. That all substantive and serving Guilds and Association heads be appointed into the federal Government Committee as true representatives of Nollywood; namely: Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN) Nigeria Society of Cinematographers (NSC) Nigeria Society of Editors (NSE Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts practitioners (ANTP) National Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) Independent television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) Film and Video producers and marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) and Motion Picture Practitioners of Nigeria (MOPPAN)

3. That all Non Guild and Association heads presently serving in the committee be withdrawn and replaced by duly elected Guild/Association heads.

4. That the good intention of Government culminating in the approval of the three Billion naira grant for Nollywood would only be fully realized if Government deals directly with existing elected representatives of the industry.

In conclusion the group advices that any attempt by any individual or group of individuals to thwart the good intention of the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR or to manipulate the equitable disbursement of the grant will only further polarize the unity of the industry and marginalize a greater majority.

The group promises to continue to engage in meaningful dialogue and explore all legal means to push forward its agitations and the interest of the Nigerian film makers.

Since one of the cardinal principles of democracy is respect for constituted authorities, the group advices government to always listen to the yearnings and aspirations of core practitioners through their elected representatives who are the presidents of the Guilds and Associations.