The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reiterated government’s decision that any programme meant for Nigerians must be produced in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos, Mohammed said he was not appointed minister to develop the economy of other countries at the expense of the Nigerian economy.
The statement was signed by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister.
Mohammed said the potential of the Creative Industry to create one million jobs in three years could not be realised if jobs meant for Nigerians are exported to other countries under the guise of producing abroad programmes to be consumed in Nigeria.
“I didn’t say that henceforth, all music videos and films will be
produced in Nigeria, or that the production of music videos or films outside Nigeria will be banned.
“All I said was that if a programme is designated as a Nigerian (local) content programme, we will amend the National Broadcasting Code to ensure that it is produced in Nigeria.
“On that that there is no going back,” he added.
The Minister recalled how his office was bombarded with calls from concerned Nigerians when the last edition of the ”Big Brother Naija” was produced in South Africa.
He said that he subsequently directed the National Broadcasting
Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversy.
“Following the findings, we decided to amend the relevant sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to prevent a repeat of that development.
“We are now in the process of doing that; anyone who intends to produce a reality show or similar programmes for Nigerians cannot take the production of such shows outside Nigeria.
“Nigerians are a very proud and resourceful people, and we are sure that no Nigerian will be against a decision to prevent jobs that can be done in Nigeria by Nigerians from being exported to other countries,” he said.
In a related development, Mohammed said the Broadcasting Code is being amended to help develop local football league.
“This (amendment) is not just about the Creative Industry.
“We are also going to ensure that the NBC Code is amended to promote and support our National League.
“The amendment will be done to the effect that if any company in Nigeria today invest a million dollars in promoting or supporting any (football) team or league outside Nigeria, the
Broadcasting Code will not allow that programme to be aired unless that company supports the Nigerian League with a percentage that will not be less than 30 per cent of what was spent.
‘“This is because we cannot continue to develop the economies of the other parts of the world from the sweat of Nigerians and at the expense of the Nigerian economy,” he said. (NAN)
ROT/AEA