20th March, 2022
Saidi Balogun, an actor and filmmaker, has urged the Nigerian government to provide a proper structure for the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood.
Balogun, in an interview with Punch, said the structure will enable actors to make money from what they produce and sell to Nigerians in Nigeria.
The actor said, “Our people are doing so well. However, things would get better if the government could provide a proper structure for Nollywood, so that people who invest in the industry would be able to make a profit. When people spend so much money to produce movies and they don’t make their money back, they would lose interest in the industry. If the government provides a proper structure for Nollywood, we would be able to make money from what we produce and sell to Nigerians here in Nigeria. We have to showcase our culture to the world and we need the support of the government to achieve that. Nigerians are doing great (things) all over the world, and some of them are now coming back home to contribute their quotas to the industry. A few years before the end of (former President) Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the government openly said that the entertainment industry had contributed so much to the country’s economy, even more than many other industries.”
Balogun also noted that his focus was now on grooming young talents in the movie industry.
He said, “These days, I tend to promote young talents, especially those who had never been on screen. I use my platform to encourage the youth by allowing them to showcase their talents to the world. I do this to give back to society because some people also allowed me to prove myself and showcase my talent to the world. I am glad to have got the support of the Minister for Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare; and the Lagos State government through the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf.
“Many young people are as determined or even more determined than some people in my generation. These days, young people are doing so much to achieve great things despite the increasing competition. In recent times, I have produced three movies titled, Online, Finding Ireti, and The Scourge.”