An image of Pascal Atuma, a prominent Nigerian filmmaker and entrepreneur, recently captured the attention of many as he passionately called on the Federal Government to view the entertainment sector with the same level of importance as the lucrative crude oil industry.
Atuma emphasized that entertainment has evolved into a significant global economic powerhouse that presents immense opportunities for growth and development. In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise show, Atuma articulated his plea for greater governmental focus on Nigeria’s thriving creative economy.
Expressing his views candidly, Atuma conveyed,
“I’d say this directly to the government – they think oil is the only source of income. The entertainment industry is huge. The film industry is big.”
He highlighted various facets of entertainment such as music, comedy, and sports like football, urging policymakers to broaden their perspective and invest in the entire creative spectrum.
Illustrating with an example from the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Atuma drew attention to the substantial economic rewards available in the world of entertainment.
“Just for playing in the quarter-finals, clubs earned $13.1 million,”
he pointed out before posing a rhetorical question about what such financial injections could mean for Nigerian clubs if similarly supported by adequate funding.
Moreover, Atuma underscored that beyond financial backing, favorable governmental policies are instrumental in fostering a conducive environment for industry players. He stressed that policy frameworks play a pivotal role in enhancing attractiveness and competitiveness within the sector.
“It’s not just about funding. Policies matter,”
Atuma emphasized. Drawing parallels with models from other countries like Canada where filmmakers receive annual grants instead of loans to produce films, he urged for similar supportive mechanisms to be established within Nigeria.
In line with advocating for industry structuring efforts initiated by guilds and associations representing directors and producers, Atuma recognized filmmakers’ collective responsibility in laying a strong foundation for sustainable growth.
Reflecting on his recent movie release titled “Imported Wives,
” which delves into societal issues surrounding marriage dynamics across different cultures, Atuma revealed his inspiration behind revisiting these themes after two decades since his earlier production.
Highlighting prevalent social challenges such as materialism influencing modern relationships and marriages driven by financial motives rather than genuine love or companionship, Atuma shared how “
Imported Wives
” aims to provoke introspection within society through its narrative lens.
“
We want to hold up a mirror to society with this story,” Atuma expressed passionately while shedding light on thought-provoking themes explored in his latest cinematic creation.
In conclusion:
Pascal Atuma’s impassioned advocacy serves as a clarion call for recognizing and nurturing Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment landscape alongside traditional economic sectors like oil. His insights offer valuable perspectives on leveraging creativity and policy support to propel sustainable growth within the burgeoning creative economy.
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