Nollywood stakeholders kick against Bank of Industry’s N2.5 distribution project in Nollywood...Allege foul play

BOI MD, Oputu

Several leading filmmakers and stakeholders in Nollywood have unanimously condemned the recent disclosure by the Bank of Industry (BOI) at a recent media parley that it has approved the sum of N2.5 billion to aid distribution of Nollywood movies.

Speaking at the event that was deliberately shunned by top filmmakers in Nollywood, BOI senior manager, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmed, who represented the MD of BOI, Miss Evelyn Oputu, disclosed that the project, which was in partnership with Gabosky Films Incorporated, is being funded from the $200 million allocated to BOI, from an expected $500 million grant from the African Development Bank.

According to Ahmed, in his speech during the pre-launch news briefing of G-Media, the sum of N2.5 billion had been approved and set aside for the entertainment industry. He added that another N1 billion had been distributed so far.

While reacting, some of the shocked filmmakers queried the rationale behind the nomination of Gabosky’s G-Media as the only beneficiary of the multi-billion project for the entire film industry.

They also alleged some hanky panky in the N1 billion said to have been distributed so far to “unknown filmmakers”.

“BOI should stop bamboozling us with figures they cannot boldly and openly tell us the filmmakers that got them. They claimed to have doled out N1 billion so far to filmmakers. They should also tell us along with the media who and who got what and how it was given. Again, in giving these funds, did they follow due process or only gathered a few of their friends, like they usually do and gave these grants? We need urgent answers to these questions before we forward a petition to the National Assembly and President Jonathan,” stated an angry and disappointed top filmmaker who does not want his name in print.

Another leading filmmaker, who spoke with us on the condition of anonymity aside condemning the distribution project, also faulted the so called BOI N2.5 billion investment in Nollywood’s film distribution project.

“Even though, we don’t have anything against Gabosky, why is he the only one being picked by BOI for this project? When was the last time he produced a hit movie? In an industry with over 1000 filmmakers, you are picking just one person to kick start this multi billion project meant for the entire industry. We don’t see transparency in this BOI project for Nollywood and won’t support it until due process and the proper thing is done. How can you claim to have distributed a billion Naira to filmmakers without telling us the names of those that got the money and how much each person got. Enough of this abracadabra with Nollywood and her filmmakers. We don’t need this distribution project and will never support or endorse it. Several government projects on Nollywood started like this one from BOI and ended up failing woefully. BOI should embark on an all inclusive project and not one based on ethnic sentiments and nepotism. Nollywood is far bigger than such myopic thinking and ideas.”

We could not reach BOI’s head of corporate affairs for reactions before going to press, but would definitely keep you posted as event unfurls.