Film makers petition Jonathan over Danjuma Dabo’s appointment as NFC boss

The Nigerian motion picture practitioners under the auspice of the Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan over the appointment of Engr. Danjuma Dabo as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, (NFC).

The guild, in a statement signed by its president, Mr. Chike Bryan rejected Engr. Dabo’s appointment, urging Mr. President to use his good office to reverse the appointment so as not to jeopardise the existing relationship between his government and Nollywood practitioners.

According to SGN president, “Without prejudice to Engr. Dabo’s sterling qualifications and experiences as a marine Engineer, the nation’s motion picture has nothing whatsoever against his person, but we take particular exception to the inglorious disregard of the availability of numerous astute, qualified, experienced and well positioned film makers, some of whom have put over 20 years of their creative life, into the film Industry.”

The statement reads in part, “ The Film Industry today, as you know, is capable of providing a veritable platform for socio – economic emancipation, to motivate and unite Nigerians towards having a deeper patriotic zeal for their fatherland. The Regulatory Agencies of the Industry therefore, require purposeful, practical, dynamic and experienced leadership at the helm, during this transformational period.”

“At this stage, or any stage for that matter, the film Industry does not need a political appointee, with no experience whatsoever in film making, broadcasting, performing Arts or any creative expression, to administer the apex regulatory agency. Industry requires an administrator with passion, zeal and total dedication to the development of the film Industry. Industry requires an administrator who knows and feels the pains of the Nigerian Film maker, who knows where the shoe pinches, who knows the whys and the hows of the challenges of production, who knows the practicability’s of the vast potentials of Nollywood.”

“As a matter of precedence, the NFC has been administered by notable film makers from its inception, from Brendan Shehu, Hyginus Ekwuazi and Afolabi Adesanya, as Government has always seen the necessity to put qualified creative technocrats at the helm of affairs. More examples abound, with Professor Dora Akunyili at NAFDAC, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe at the N.C.C, or Dr Adewunmi at Min. Of Agriculture, or Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui– Okaruo at F.I.R.S”

“We therefore, wonder why at this critical period of rebirth and renewal, Government deems it fit to do a policy somersault and endanger the spirit of consultation and cooperation currently pervading between Government and the Film Industry. This is an appointment that has the capability of regressing the giant leaps that have been achieved in times past and is viewed by many as a complete slap on the face of the creative industry in Nigeria.”

In order not to jeopardise these existing cordialities, Nollywood, therefore, as a matter of urgency, demands the immediate withdrawal of the appointment of Engr. Danjuma Dabo as Managing Director of the NFC and the appointment of any experienced film maker of Governments choice, from any part of Nigeria, in his place.”

“Your Excellency, Sir, you have continually demonstrated your love for Nollywood and on several occasions highlighted its potentials in youth employment, socio cultural growth, revenue generation and in building bridges of peace and unity across Nigeria.”