“of all the arts, the most important for us is the cinema”

-Vladimir Lenin-

INTRODUCTION

Indeed, the Russian leader could not but re-echo the outstanding results achieved with film in his desire to win Russian. Moving Pictures not pamphlets became his number one medium of spreading propaganda, Lenin understood that his revolutionary notes will only thrive if all of Russia began to sing in harmony.

Almost a century after Lenin’s statement, there still exist a vibrant nexus between national integration and film and video. The audiovisuals have not lost its power or its relevance. Film & video continue to influence human thinking and behaviour owing to its inherent ability to inspire very quickly the emotions of both young and old.

The success of the American film industry (Hollywood) is not only linked to empirical evidence such as the number of viewership or revenue generation. In my opinion, the real success of Hollywood is in the industry’s ability to translate the “American Dream” mantra into compelling and mind-shifting films with a high ability to capture imagination, shape, and direct the sense of what is real, true, and preferable. Hollywood has skillfully used her films to tell stories of hope, peace, security and social wellbeing that captivate audience admiration of being or wanting to be “American”. Movies like, “The pursuit of happyness”, “Mr. Smith Goes to America”, “Forest Gump” amongst others is a true testament of Hollywood’s influence as a projector of American values, power and greatness. She has tactically used her films to score points diplomatically.

That being said, in 1929, George Barkas produced “Palaver”, widely regarded as the first made in Nigeria film. Although made in Nigeria, “Palaver” was certainly not made for the unity, progress and integration of Nigeria. It should be noted that, Entertainment was not the exclusive aim of “Palaver”, embedded in the film was a deliberate plot to persuade the British public to embrace London’s imperial policy in Nigeria. This attempt underlines the power of film and video in shaping ideas and mustering a sense of togetherness.

THE NIGERIAN SITUATION

Notwithstanding the negative pictures of Nigerian’s painted in “Palaver”, the efforts of hero’s past to change this narrative is worthy of admiration. However, we cannot rest on the past laurels of these brave Icons but must continually build and push forward the Nigerian agenda of togetherness which is an essential for the economic progress and prosperity of our dear nation. Since “Palaver”, the growth of the Nigerian film & video industry has been very impressive. Her large population, her rich culture complimented by a plethora of talents made the outstanding growth of her film & video industry almost a certainty. With such unprecedented outreach, it is important to understand that Film & Video has played a significant role in fostering Nigeria’s national integration.

Cock Crow at Dawn, Second Chance, the New Masquerade, Basi and Company are examples of some of the movies that reflected a true picture of Nigeria’s culture, heritage and togetherness. Second Chance for instance was hilarious and featured Nigerians from various ethnic affiliations uniting in a class to acquire adult education with each character dressing in his or her own traditional attire. The movie portrayed our oneness to attain a common goal. The movie 76 can also be thrown into this category, this film in many ways illustrated the values of patriotism.

Film & Videos is indeed the warp and wept of Nigerian’s national integration. Its ability to appeal to the intellect, emotions, and will of the citizens gives it primacy of place in the business of enhancing Nigeria’s national integration. Stories may be written words but they live in our minds as images. When we read or listen to stories, we use imagination to assign a physical attribute to the characters in that story. Films and movies empower us to bring to life those stories and shape how they are perceived by the audience. With stories that hold a mirror to our society of history, crime, comedy, Income inequality, ethnic relations, religious tolerance, and everything in between, through films and video we are blessed with the opportunity to impact positive change. The change that influences minds, challenges misconceptions, expands our worldview, and allows us to learn more than we did before pressing play.

The exceptional element of Nigerian films and video is how these works of fiction are very much connected to reality. Most times they serve as the window to other people’s reality that we are not aware of. They allow us to view life beyond ours and represent those that are often marginalized. Bringing to public consciousness the stories of people often out of the boundaries of influence not only inspires a sense of national belonging and community representation but it allows viewers to understand their struggles, empathize with them, and perhaps even uplift them, which is an invaluable contribution towards harmonizing our differences.

Integration and unity are rooted in understanding one another and films are an efficacious way to teach and enlighten.  Take the movie “October 1^st” and how it immersed viewers onto what it’s like to be a police officer from another region solving inexplicable murders at the tail end of colonialism. With details and nuance through the eyes of various characters, we understand different perspectives on this monumental change and learn about something very few of us lived through. Or “The Wedding Party” and its brilliant display of Nigeria’s collective pomp for grandeur and ostentatious display at weddings, showcasing the diversity in dressing, language, food, and lifestyle, and using humor and drama to show that our similarities outweigh our differences.

Some discount films and videos as mere escapism, but their impact is profound. If you also look at the main demographic consuming films and videos, you’ll see that they are the drivers of change; young people who are now growing to challenge negative stereotypes and embracing unity and diversity. “The Voice” is a widely viewed reality musical show that has exemplified to Nigerians that it is possible to live and progress together in spite of differences, and showcases our innate talents to a large audience.

Compounded by the vast outreach capabilities of films and videos, the possibility of influencing millions of minds towards unity and community is unique to films and videos.  Seeing a lead actor or actress take centre-stage and strive towards a shared national ambition, like in the movie “Up North” inspires the same attitude. Viewers idealize such characters and scenarios and to put themselves in their shoes. With diversity and crafty messaging, the movie taught positivity and enlightened against some negative stereotypes built from the darkness of ignorance.

In the same vein, the didactic and moral lessons in other Nigerian movies remind viewers of the grave consequences of engaging in crime and misconduct. This ability to admonish through entertainment is a cogent tool of creating sustainable peace without force.

The ability of film and video to birth change is scarcely a debate. However, it should be noted that as much as film and video could be utilized as a force for good, in the wrong hands it can become a tool for extending the boundaries of evil. My service to Nigerian as the Executive Director of the prestigious National Film & Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been a humbling and transforming experience. It has equipped me with the apparatuses to contextualize both the challenges and realities of fostering National unity through film & video industry.

As a regulatory body, NFVCB encourages Film & Video producers to tell “unity” stories in ways in which citizens could see and feel the connection between them and national integration ideas that may have been otherwise abstract or non-existent. Our mandate of regulating content and promoting positive values while maintaining originality puts us at the forefront of fertilizing change and shaping minds towards unity and compassion.

A lot of progress had been made, which could not have been possible without the transformative leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari that is devoted to ensuring peace, security, and most importantly the togetherness of the country. The invaluable supervision and advice of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism under the leadership of Alhaji. Lai Mohammed towards the NFVCB has also been tremendously helpful. A chorus of commendation also goes to the Sons & Daughters of this great Nation who, through their tenacity and obvious talent in the film & video industry, have showcased the values of nationhood, merits of togetherness while still keeping us entertained.

CONCLUDED THOUGHTS

Contextually speaking, with the exponential growth of the internet in Nigeria, it is forecasted that, Video On Demand (VOD) services such as Netflix Naija, IROKO TV, Ibaka TV, EbonyLife ON, SceneOne TV will continue the upward mobility and upsurges in subscribers and user demand for Nollywood content. Now, more than 40 million Nigerians currently have access to smartphones and by 2025 not less than 140 million people will be mobile smartphone users. The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) will soon issue out license to operators to provide 5G Networks to the teeming internet population of the country. This will speed up connectivity and usher in cheaper broadband prices.

With these developments, it is not wrong to say that the future of film and video will be majorly propelled by the internet and internet broadcasting mediums and there is no argument that the financial turnover of the industry will be at record highs. This opens up a wide range of investment prospects and will also offer great opportunities to exact significant influence on a growing audience. It is therefore imperative for industry stakeholders to start re-evaluating their strategies in a manner that incorporates the realities of a social media age towards a more united Nigeria.

In a multi-ethnic society such as Nigeria, film and video makers cannot afford to be insensitive towards ensuring that their stories are thoroughly screened to avoid leakage of sensitive contents that are detrimental to national cohesion. The Board on its part will continue to set up structures that will strengthen her capacity to tackle issues of piracy and distribution of unwholesome films, musical and video works that are disadvantageous to national development and integration.

It is true, that censorship alone, cannot singlehandedly encourage reflections of strong patriotic values in our films & videos as such the collective effort of government agencies, individuals, industry giants, Media influencers, communities, NGO’s among others is needed to launch a serious campaign against disunity, disharmony, and disintegration. We must be consistent in our approach, look beyond immediate monetary gains and continually take advantage of the opportunities offered by film & Video in shaping the future of our Great Nation.

TOGETHER we can win.