NFC seeks FCT’s partnership for Zuma film festival

Festival
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, March 20, 2019 (NAN) The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has said that the FCT Administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for the growth of the entertainment industry.

Bello gave the assurance when he received the Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr Chidia Maduekwe and his team on a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja.

Bello said his interest in the Corporation grew after witnessing the last Zuma Festival held in Abuja.

According to the minister, the Corporation is doing well and the FCTA will provide the needed environment for the success of its mandate.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Corporation had solicited partnership with FCT Administration for the annual hosting of the Zuma Film Festival.

He said the FCTA needed to hold the host status for the festival rather than the guest role it played in previous events.

Maduekwe particularly requested the FCTA to make available the International Conference Centre Abuja for the week-long event scheduled to hold in December.

“The creative industry is currently contributing 2.3 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and there is no reason why we cannot get to 10 per cent.

“It is possible and in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s drive to diversify the nation’s economy,” he said.

Maduekwe stressed the need to showcase Abuja as an entertainment destination in the film industry, adding that the Corporation is working to ensure that Nigeria is listed in the World Calendar of film festivals.

The managing director also proposed a quarterly training of youths in the FCT on various areas in the creative industry to ensure that they become self-reliant as well as employable. (NAN)
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