Aduragbemi Omiyale
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Veteran actor and filmmaker, Mr Adebayo Salami, otherwise known as Oga Bello, has been given interest-free loans worth N200 million alongside 38 other movie makers.
The funding support was given to them by the Lagos State government to support the creative industry and boost the economy.
The disbursement was coordinated by the Lagos State Creative Initiative (LACI) under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Last year, the state government constituted a nine-man committee comprising veteran movie-makers and some senior government officials headed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf.
The team was given the mandate to identify struggling filmmakers that could be empowered with grants and seed fund for film production purposes.
At the presentation of cheques to 39 beneficiaries at the Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that the aim of the initiative is to address financial challenges that inhibit quality film production in Lagos and Nigeria.
“This initiative and presentation of cheques being done today is a testament to our commitment to ensure the potentials of the entertainment industry are realised.
“I congratulate the beneficiaries who are receiving their cheques today. I am convinced that your proposals and plans must have been really compelling and convincing to earn the approval of the committee,” the Governor, who was represented by Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf, stated.
He admonished the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loans and pay them back within the stipulated time to enable others access the fund.
In her remarks, Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf revealed that before the establishment of the revolving loan for filmmakers, the Governor had made various interventions to ameliorate the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on business owners in the hospitality, entertainment and tourism sectors.
“Mr Governor constituted a Palliative Review Committee headed by Nollywood veteran actress, Joke Silva, which proposed a N1 billion immediate intervention for the various stakeholders.
“Following Mr Governor’s approval, the Ministry subsequently presented cheques to some of the beneficiaries at the maiden edition of Lagos Tourism, Hospitality Arts and Culture Economic Summit, LATHACE held last year,” the Commissioner said.
Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf stated further that, “To complement this gesture, the Ministry sought and obtained Mr Governor’s approval for a 50 per cent rebate on Operating Licence Fees payable by all the practitioners in the entertainment and hospitality sector for the year 2020.”
She averred that N200 million worth of cheques would be presented to the 39 successful beneficiaries of the revolving loan under the first batch, while more recipients will still emerge as the collation for the second batch of applicants has started.
“The state government is interested in using the revolving funds to bring youths out of unemployment while also creating entrepreneurs who would use their creativity to enhance the market shares of the film industry,” she said.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s doggedness in transforming the Entertainment and Tourism sector by consistently keeping to his promises to boost its potential.
She challenged the beneficiaries on the appropriate usage of the fund so that the door of the good opportunity will not be shut against other beneficiaries.
Some of the successful applicants, who spoke at the event, commended Lagos State Government for fulfilling its promise made at an interactive session held with the Governor last year.
Giving his testimonial, Mr Tunji Ojetola, said the exercise was devoid of favouritism as the application process was seamless, just as the screening was thorough and professional.
“This is the first time a Government policy is well executed and the commendation should go to Mr Governor and the Ministry,” he said.
On his part, Mr Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of colleagues, also commended the state government and promised that they will utilise the funds judiciously and pay back without defaulting.
