Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has described the Nigerian movie industry as a unifying factor that can help the country lead the world.
Addressing the audience at the just-concluded Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Obi said the impact of Nollywood is glaring and can be used as an example of what film can do to Africa, describing the industry as a phenomenal export from Nigeria.
“I don’t think anything has impacted our contribution to Africa as much as Nollywood. It allows Nigerian actors to be able to tell our own stories, even our history. In today’s knowledge and creative economy all over the world, you can see our contribution.
“Nollywood has added about $7.3 billion to our GDP. It has employed about one million Nigerians and it is the second largest employer of labour after agriculture. And I’m sure it will do more, looking at what is happening here today,” he said.
According to Obi, the day we unite and bring diverse Nigerians together, we would lead the world.
“You can see it tonight. There is no issue of tribalism and you only see this when there is creativity. It is based on talent and hard work. I am sure that with talents like this, we will build a better Nigeria. The young ones should take over,” Obi added.
