Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday inaugurated a 29-member committee 
for the review of the much publicised Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) draft document. This, he said, is in line with the Federal Government’s desire of helping Nollywood set up a self-regulatory structure.
Unveiling the committee members at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, the Minister pointed out that the move became pertinent in line with his responsibility as custodian of the nation’s information, culture and tourism policies, to enable Nollywood play meaningful role in national development.
The members who are mostly heads of the various guilds and associations in the film industry include, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe as Coordinator, Mahmood Ali-Balogun as Deputy Coordinator, Brian Etuk as Secretary and Anthony Anih as Deputy Secretary.
Others are, Afam Chiazor ( National Society of Cinematographers); Fidelis Eweta (Editors’ Guild); Biodun Abe (Creative Designers’ Guild); Fred Amata (Directors’ Guild of Nigeria); Ralph Nwadike ( Association of Movie Producers); Alex Eyengho (Association of Nollywood Core Producers); Kingsley Ogoro (Technical/Niger Delta); Dr. Sanni Muazu and Prof. Umar Farouk Jibril (MOPPAN); Saidi Balogun (Movie Ambassadors of Nigeria); Stephanie Okereke-Linus (Female Producers of Nigeria); Osezua Stephen-Imobhio (ITPAN); Mr Obalana (NANTAP); Kate Henshaw (Actors’ Guild); Victor Olateju Ashaolu (ANTP); Dele Odule (TAMPAN); Victor Akande (Media); Norbert Ajaegbu (Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria); Emeka Aduaka (UPAMANN); Kennth Gyang (arty filmmaker); Chidi Nwokobia (Screen Writers’ Guild) and Debbie Odutayo (Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria).
The committee also has as members, a representative of Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB); a representative of the Ministry of Information and Culture, and a representative of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).
The Minister assured that MOPICON is not another attempt to set up another content regulatory agency or another parastatal of government, as government is even thinking of merging existing institutions.
“MOPICON is and will remain an industry-run lobby and pressure body that will foster the achievement and maintenance of the highest professional and commercial standards in the motion picture industry as well as ensure the protection of the rights and privileges of motion picture practitioners in the lawful exercise of their profession,” he clarified.
Lai Mohammed who noted that his Ministry would not reinvent the wheel, but build on the good efforts of those who toiled hard in the past to set up MOPICON, urged filmmakers to support the MOPICON initiative to help achieve his planned battle against piracy, establishment of the National Endowment for the Arts and the need to reverse the lack of policy direction in the movie industry.
The Minister charged members of the review committee to, in the course of reviewing the document; elicit appropriate contributions from stakeholders and members of the public.
The committee is expected to review and harmonize the MOPPICON draft bill and code of ethics document within three weeks, ahead of its submission to the Ministry of Justice and then the National Assembly.
