ROLE OF NOLLYWOOD IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ROLE OF NOLLYWOOD IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
 
ABSTRACT
This study examined the role of Nollywood on national development using movie industries and movie viewers in Asaba as a case study. Survey research methodology was adopted while one hundred copies of questionnaire were administered to the selected respondents within Movie Industries and movie viewers in Asaba metropolis. Findings have established that Nigeria home movie industries are promoting our cultural values, it builds youths talents. Also, poor funding of movie industries, inadequate production equipment, poor scripting, poor story research and the advent of ICT have been described as the major problems facing movie industries in Nigeria in achieving national development. Nigeria home movie industries can enhance national development through stories that focus on peaceful co-existence of Nigeria, if their stories are on corruption effects, if stories are on good governance and if the story is on culture. It is recommended that the Nigerian films censors commission should scrutinize films before they are sent out for viewing by the larger audience and Script writers should always have at the back of their minds that Nigeria cultural heritage and national unity should be foremost on their minds when they are writing any script.
 
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1       Background to the Study
Since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 and particularly after independence in 1960, one of the focuses of the government was to build national integration, unity and peaceful co-existence through stable political government, economic development, infrastructural development, socio-cultural development rather than regional or ethnic thinking and absence of which will deprive the country lots and one of the ways this was achieved was through the media which films or movies inclusive. The movies are locally generated, scripted and acted by Nigerians on the need to be brother’s keeper and see every nationality whether from the major ethnic groups or minor group as one. 
The potentials of Nigerian film or movie is otherwise known today as NOLLYWOOD is to uphold Nigeria rich and diverse culture, as well as serve as a panacea for unity among Nigerians in spite of tribe, culture, religion or ethnic differences. Alice (2005) opines that the immense potential of the film was recognised even during colonial times. The Federal Information apparatus earlier acknowledged the film as the most effective medium for internal and external publicity. Oyekanmi (2008) posits that