By Sarah NEGEDU
Visitors and tourists planning to attend the forthcoming Zuma Film Festival have been assured of their safety, as organisers say measures have been put in place to forestall any breach of peace during the festival.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, who gave the assurance at a press briefing on the 2022 Zuma Film Festival, said adequate security measures have been put in place for the safety of visitors from within and outside the country.
Maduekwe, while fielding questions from journalists said though the country is inundated with security challenges, the Corporation is liaising with security agencies to ensure a hitch free festival.
The NFC boss who also lauded the collaboration between NFC and FCTA, said the 12th Zuma Film Festival will bring about total transformation of the film, cinema and tourism activities of the nation especially within Abuja.
“At the NFC, we are resolved to deepen and develop the Nigerian Film industry. Within the broad and specific mandate of developing the Nigeria film industry, NFC remains committed to engaging its key partners at all levels” he said.
He noted that with the theme “Show the Money”, the festival will boost film investment and wealth creating opportunities through the various seminars, conferences and workshops lined up for this year’s Zuma Film Festival.
“We will at the same time provide new windows for more to join us in our collective quest to effectively transform our film industry into becoming the bed rock of our nation’s creative economy.
“Therefore, we are determined to use the 12th edition of the film festival to commence a total transformation of the film, cinema and tourism activities of the nation, especially within the FCT.
On her part, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, is optimistic that the film festival would boost tourism and strengthen investment opportunities of the economy.
She said the FCT Administration will leverage on windows of cooperation with the Nigerian Film Corporation to harness the opportunities created by the festival to develop abundant local talents in the city.
The minister disclosed that Abuja was rapidly garnering a reputation as a pleasant tourist destination with its rich cultural mix, beautiful sights and a bustling entertainment industry.
Mrs Aliyu who was represented by Samuel Atang, Director operation and strategy office of the Permanent Secretary FCTA, disclosed that the administration intend to use the programme to further ensure sustainable development of the indigenous film industry.
She said, “We intend to sustain using the Zuma Film Festival as a springboard. We use the programme to develop our indigenous film industry with the ultimate aim of making Abuja, the film and creative hub for Africa using the festival as a catalyst.
“The collaboration between the FCTA and the NFC will not only ensure a bigger and better Zuma Film Festival but will also provide residents of Abuja investment opportunities in the nation’s creative economy” she said.
End
