By Damilola Alamu
A call has gone to government at all levels and well-meaning
individuals to invest heavily in the movie industry.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by executives and members of the
Yoruba Films Makers
Association of Nigeria (YOFMAN), Kwara State chapter to the
headquarters of Royal FM in Ilorin, yesterday, the National Secretary,
Adebayo Olodan said, “Aside promoting our culture and heritage through
our production, the movie industry is one of the biggest employers of
labour as about 30-40 crew members partake in every production aside
the actors and actresses.
In addition, movie is a veritable tool to disseminate information to
the public especially people at the grassroots.”
Speaking further, he said, the movie industry has evolved overtime
from the 60s till date adding that those days, the late Sir Hubert
Ogunde and Kwar-born actor, Adeyemi Afolayan (better known as Ade
Love) propagated the culture and heritage of Yoruba with their films
mostly on celluloid.
On what gave birth to YOFMAN, Olodan said, “This association came into
being few months ago in order to correct the ills of film production
such as direct kissing, romancing and other illicit scenes which are
not good for the future generation.
“Also the future of the profession is being threatened because there
is hardly market for our production. Through some of our productions,
we are now seen as people promoting rituals, crimes and criminality in
the society. Similarly, our scripts are becoming boring to the public
and people now prefer watching Zee World to Yoruba movies.
“Added to the aforesaid is the perennial issue of piracy which we have
had to contend with overtime.
“All these and many more are the ills YOFMAN intends to correct in the
movie industry and the society at large,” he submitted.
In his remarks, the National Leader of the association Alhaji (Dr)
Abdulmalik Olorunfemi, appreciated the pioneer radio station in the
state (Royal FM) for their rich Yoruba contents and harped on the need
to continue to promote our culture.
He however solicited for one hour airtime on the radio station to
allow YOFMAN members sensitise the public on morals and to also
broadcast activities of the association.
In his response, the station Manger, Badewa Adeyemi expressed the
willingness of Royal FM to partner with the association adding that it
is imperative for everyone to contribute his/her quota to sustain our
cultural heritage.
