The United States’ cultural affairs representative in Nigeria, Ms. Julie Mckay, has guaranteed her country’s determination to partner with the creative industry while inspecting facilities at the Nigerian Film Corporation during a tour.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, she gave this promise on Friday in Jos while inspecting cultural institutions, museums, as well as the National Film Institute.
The ambassador met with the management board of the Film Corporation during a visit there on Thursday.
Mckay reaffirmed her nation’s resolve to work with the Film Corporation to promote youth development after meeting with the NFC earlier this year in Abuja and Jos.
“We have already brought American filmmakers to Nigeria since our previous conversation last week, and they are in Lagos now and will be in Abuja next week.
“I think we can all agree that more collaboration between the American and Nigerian film industry would be advantageous for both, therefore we are definitely aiming to accomplish that.
“We greatly look forward to collaborating with you on building creative industries because helping Nigeria build its creative industries is one of our goals.”
She noted that opportunities for youth are one of their top concerns, thus they provide a lot of options for young people to start their own businesses.
“There are many chances and the U.S. wants to be great partners with Nigeria in this area, we will be opening an opportunity for the academy for women entrepreneurs, and they could be filmmakers,” she added.
In response, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, expressed happiness over the development and promised to make the most of the chance when it arose.
He pointed out that this would present a chance to lower unemployment while involving the nation’s youth.
“I am genuinely looking forward to it, and I’m also hopeful because I know that America always enters the fora as a heavyweight, so our relationship won’t be the same after this visit.
“We anticipate that Hollywood and Nollywood will now shake hands more frequently.
“I’m going to take advantage of the chance to develop the institute to exponential capacities that have been waiting for such a chance,” he said.
He added that they were going to increase that capability so that Nigerian kids have access to more tools so they may develop their God-given talents or realize their potential as wealth producers.
“I think the creative sector is a low hanging fruit, and our partnership with the US will help us squeeze our juice from unemployment to employment,” he said.
