Nollywood Has To Tell The Best Stories Of Our Country — Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has emphasized the vital role Nollywood has to play in the country, saying that it has to tell the best stories about the nation.

The statement was made by his Media Adviser, Lanre Lasisi during the opening of a Leadership Training for Nollywood Celebrities and Stakeholders under the aegis of the Actors' Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in Abuja on Friday, April 16.

He stated that the players in the Nigerian movie industry have a critical part to play not only in shaping the society for the better but also in influencing how others outside see the country.

Femi Gbajabiamila

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His words, "Beyond the questions of economics and profits, there is the issue of the critical role of Nollywood in influencing culture, defining national character, and promoting identity.

"You also have a responsibility to tell the best stories of our beloved country. I do not propose to turn you into cheerleaders for a Nigeria that does not exist.

"But the stories of men and women thriving through adversity and innovating for prosperity needs to be told, and it falls to you to tell those stories. I hold in my heart a fundamental belief that our highest aspirations for Nigeria can only be achieved by the combined efforts of patriots working together to make real the vision of a prosperous and peaceful country."

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Stressing the importance of Nollywood to Nigeria's socio-economic development, Gbajabiamila noted that the country's entertainment industry has grown into a vital part of the economy.

"With adequate investment, a supportive regulatory environment, better training and capacity development, Nollywood will grow beyond our present dreams and surpass our highest ambitions.

"It falls to all of us, in government, in the private sector, and across society to identify the ways we can help the industry reach the heights we all know is possible."