FCT Minister hails Nollywood for its contributions to conserving Nigerian arts and cultural heritage.

Film has become a major instrument for the development and preservation of Nigeria’s arts, cultural heritage, and history, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Olajumoke Akinjide, said on Tuesday.

Ms. Akinjide said this at the opening ceremony of the 9th edition of the Abuja International Film Festival.

The festival, themed “Celebrating the Phenomenon Nollywood at 20,” will hopefully contribute to the current government’s transformation agenda, Ms. Akinjide said; adding that Nigeria’s popular film industry had grown to become the nation’s pride.

It’s contributions to the growth, development, and preservation of the country’s arts, rich cultural heritage and history has been enormous.

“As the festival continues to provide a platform for the celebration of the best of films and film makers, this year’s edition will take the event to a refreshingly new dimension,’’ the minister said.

According to her, the festival had become a spectacular celebration of the country’s diversity and an invitation to discover the country’s rich potential.

Speaking earlier, the Festival Director, Fidelis Duker, said the festival would promote understanding of the diversity and harmony of the country’s culture.

“The annual event is for Nigerian film makers around the world to converge and experience a feast of great films, both local and international. The festival is an important platform to enhance the cultural exchange and cooperation between Nigeria and other countries,” he said.

Mr. Duker also said that this year’s theme was a reflective exploration of Nollywood’s “successes, challenges, opportunities and solutions to developing the industry.”

The film director called for corporate and government support to sustain the festival. This year’s edition holds from September 25 to 28.