The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed interest in
partnering with China to develop the country’s animation industry, reports ITRealms.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave
this indication in Abuja, Thursday, while receiving a delegation of Television
Production and Animation Companies from China in his office, saying it’s a call
for a meaningful partnership.
He described animation as the fastest growing genre of the
film industry, saying animation will thrive in Nigeria, especially if it is
rooted in the culture and tradition of the people.
"Animation today has grown into a multi-billion-dollar
business and notably in China, France and some other countries and we have in
abundance in Nigeria abundant talent and also content.
"What we need is a meaningful partnership between these
companies and Nigeria to develop our animation technology and our animation
culture to a level that it will not only be impactful and meaningful, but will also
be another vehicle through which we can promote the culture of Nigeria and its
diversity," he said.
Mohammed expressed the optimism that animation will open
another vista of opportunity for the talented youths in Nigeria because of the abundance
of interesting stories in the country, and stressed the need for technology
transfer from China in order to make the desired impact.
"We have the content, we have the stories, what we need
is the technology. So we want to partner with you in a manner that we can encourage
our very young and talented artists, film-makers and producers. But the content
of the animation, for it to be meaningful to us and to the younger ones, must
be rooted in the culture and history of our people," the Minister said.
He said with Nigeria's remarkable progress in the ease of
doing business and the various positive economic indices being recorded, the country
is now the preferred destination for investors, with a guaranteed on
investment.
Alhaji Mohammed advised the companies to take advantage of
the various policies put in place by the government, such as a three-year tax holiday
for companies that have been classified to enjoy pioneer status, and invest in
Nigeria in view of the country's huge population, talent and availability of
content.
Earlier, Mr. Chen Huanan, the leader of the delegation and
the Director of Culture and Tradition in the Chinese Ministry of Culture, said
the delegation is in Nigeria to seek areas of cooperation with their
counterparts in the country.
Uboshe Uboshe/GEE
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Pix: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), flanked by the Vice President, Startime, Ms. Guo Zigi (right), and the Director of Culture and Tradition in the Chinese Ministry of Culture, Mr. Chen Huanan, during a courtesy visit to the Minister by a delegation of Television Production and Animation Companies from China in Abuja on Thursday.
