Thomas made the call at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the motion picture industry is a veritable platform that can be used to promote peaceful co-existence, especially in the troubled North-East and for economic development.

“It is mostly due to lack of a strategic plan by stakeholders to use the film and video industry as instrument for a peaceful society, economic development and social engineering, especially in the region.

“The film industry has been identified as a key sector that can consolidate Nigeria’s economic recovery through its capacity to create jobs, which is a panacea for peace and security,” he said.

Thomas said that the board, in its efforts to draw the attention of relevant stakeholders to the rich opportunities that abound in the North-East, was set to host its 2018 Consumer Forum in the region.

He said that the forum, with the theme: “The Movie Industry: The case for Peace, Economic Development and Social Engineering”, would hold at the Yankari Games Reserve in Bauchi State, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.

“The consumer forum is a flagship programme of the board aimed at sensitising the local population, especially the young and unemployed, entrepreneurs, financiers and government, on the enormous potentialities available in the film industry.

“It is also a platform to educate participants on how to take advantages of these opportunities for empowerment, and building a strong economy and better society,” he said.

Thomas noted that major stakeholders in the sector, from within and outside Nigeria, investors, financial institutions and multi-national organisations would be present at the forum.

He said the stakeholders would meet to discuss and chart a framework that would create a basis for the film and video industry as a tool for economic growth and sustainable peace in the North-East.

According to him, students and other young talents in film and theatre will also be at the event for them to be exposed and encouraged to pursue a successful career.