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.
