Author urges FG to use Nollywood to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods

An Abuja-based author, Anthony Onugba has called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the Nollywood in promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods. Onugba in Kaduna on Friday said that this would complement the on-going efforts to encourage patronage of locally manufactured goods. He suggested that the federal government release funds to Nollywood to develop a robust campaign […]

An Abuja-based author, Anthony Onugba has called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the Nollywood in promoting Made-in-Nigeria goods.

Onugba in Kaduna on Friday said that this would complement the on-going efforts to encourage patronage of locally manufactured goods.

He suggested that the federal government release funds to Nollywood to develop a robust campaign to woo Nigerians on the need to patronise local goods.

Onugba said government should fund the production of TV series, specifically written to display quality products being produced in the country.

“By so doing, 70 to 80 per cent of costumes and other materials needed to produce the films would be made of Nigerian products. This is because, people, particularly the youths, are influenced by what celebrities wear or use, the brand of car, the food, the clothes they wear, the shoes, everything.

As such, government can use the platform to create taste and passion for made in Nigeria products,” he said.

Onugba said there were novels and other literary materials that depicted Nigerian realities and what the country had to offer.

"This could be adopted into TV series to influence Nigerians to embrace made in Nigeria products. A lot of such materials, rich with indigenous cultural sophistry are just there wasting away.

If such materials could be produced into TV series, it would go a long way in helping to enlighten the public about the quality, uniqueness and the need to patronise made in Nigeria goods,” he said.

Onugba disclosed that he is currently working with Abuja-based Digital Film City and Dark Room Studios for the production of a Police-based crime drama titled ‘Amanda’s Crime’, a screen adaptation of a book he authored in 2015.

He said that the audition for the production was slated for April 2 in Abuja, adding that anyone interested in acting can apply through www.digitalfilmcity.net.

Onugba described “Amanda’s Crime” as a crime, mystery, romance novel, about the life of a female police detective who works with the special Crime Investigation Unit of the Nigeria Police.

He said that the book portrayed how intelligent police officers, particularly females, struggled with emotions and other social and cultural challenges in the discharge of their duties." NAN