UNIPORT, PAU collaborate on African film academy
The
University of Port Harcourt, River State and Pan-African University,
Lagos, have started a partnership to operate an African Film and
Television Academy in Nigeria.
Others in the $3bn joint venture anchored by Udemba Group are Trend Media City and Whistling Woods International, India.
According to the partners, who spoke at a
press conference ahead of the establishment of the multi-campus film
and media education institute in Lagos on Friday, the academy will
enhance the quality of African media and films.
The Vice-Chancellor, UNIPORT, Prof.
Joseph Ajienka, explained that the partnership would aid Nigeria’s
attainment of 2020 development plan.
He said, “We are proud to be part of
this initiative because it will aid research. Research is one major tool
still needed in this country for the benefit of the generality of
Nigerians and the only way to achieve this is by developing our creative
sector.
“The only way for this country to
realise its Vision 2020 is through art and creative industry. It will
take time to achieve the vision with concentration on only science and
technology. In the art, all you need is to get the right hands and
products to ensure the message gets to the society for change.”
The Academic Director of the Film
Academy, who is also a lecturer at PAU’s School of Media and
Communication Studies, Dr. Emevwo Biakolo, noted that Nigeria’s needed
creative re-engineering for development.
He said, “Media and film industry in
Nigeria seems to be developing and winning by accident. But you cannot
develop an industry by accident because it will not grow. That is why we
are getting involved in the industry to make it develop.
“There is a great relationship between
films, media and sports but they cannot be syndicated because if they
are, they will be truncated. Media and film is the window and icon image
of Nigeria, so it needs strategic refocusing and re-engineering.”
Chairman, Trend Media City, Mr. Uzor
Udemba, an engineer, added that AFTA was designed to offer continuing
education courses that would lead to the award of degrees and diploma
certificates.
“We have put all our passion and energy
into this, so that the future may become now; the future that changes
mindsets; dispels myths and shift away emphasis from the exploitation of
mineral resources to innovation, invention and creativity,” he added.
CULLED FROM: PUNCH NEWSPAPERS
August 13, 2013 by Sodiq Oyeleke
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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