WorldStage Newsonline-- The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has charged the Nigerian media to be more patriotic, even as they guide and protect jealously the democracy they have so much laboured for. The governor who emphasized that Nigeria is not a failed state neither is it about to be one, stated this while receiving in audience at the government house, the crew of an international film, ‘Monkey Men’, being shot in the Kwara State capital.
According to a statement signed by Abdulwahab Oba, Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Ahmed who acknowledged the multifaceted challenges facing the country, said that these challenges can be surmounted by building confidence and instilling the can-do-it philosophy in our people rather than creating a state of helplessness.
Governor Ahmed said the establishment of a film village at the Kwara State University, Malete was to boost the development of art and entertainment industry in the country and bridge the information gap about Nigeria in the developed world.
The Governor said the film village will correct the wrong impression about crime rate in Nigeria. "For too long", the governor said, "the bad side of Africa has been over projected in the international media. I hope this your "Monkey Men" will correct this unfortunate incidence". He promised to continue promoting Arts and Entertainment both as a foreign earner and to positively project the country's image. Governor Ahmed advised entertainment practitioners in the country to remain role models in the transformation agenda of the current administration.
Earlier one of the crew members, a Hollywood actress, Stephaine Macbain described Nigeria as a wonderful country full of opportunities despite the negative publicity accorded the country in the international media.
Miss Macbain said she was apprehensive about security of life in Nigeria due to the negative reports about the country in the international media, but such fear and perception disappeared as soon as she landed in the country.
The Director of the film and Hollywood film producer, Mrs Julian Balogun, in her remarks, said her organization, JAB Production was exploring the possibility of building a film industry of international standard in Ilorin to promote arts and entertainment. "The urge to correct the unfavorable perception of the country in the international community", Mrs. Balogun said, "prompted JAB Production to embark on the making of the film.
Mrs Balogun said the cast of the film has international flavor which will boost positive perception of Nigeria in the international community.
