Minister Seeks Partnership With China To Develop Nigeria’s Animation Industry

By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
he Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
called for a meaningful partnership with China to develop Nigeria’s
Animation Industry.
According to a statement signed by his SA, Segun Adeyemi, the Minister stated this in Abuja on Thursday when he received, in his office, a delegation of Television Production and Animation Companies
from China.
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,” Alhaji Mohammed said.
He 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.