Emeka Ike, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has criticized the cancellation of the film village project in Kano, calling its antagonists hypocrites.
According to Ike, it is regrettable that the project was prevented by clerics in the state on the basis of immorality.
The actor mentioned that the people of Kano State have failed to see the advantage of having an establishment like the cancelled project.
Ike thinks it can help with the spread of Islam.
He said, “I think it is ignorance on the part of anybody who kicks against the establishment of a film village in the North. These people forget that if the film village is established in Kano, it could help propagate Islam.
“Through movie making, drama, musicals, they could actually preach to the world the doctrine of Islam.”
“Already, there is a movie industry in the north – Kannywood – and they are doing well; they produce movies already and you cannot kick them out.”
“Establishing a film village for them would help boost their economy. It is to their advantage. But the ignorant people are those against the establishment of the film village.”
“The government should also remember that a lot of youths can be employed. Religion will not put food on your table; you cannot take religion as a vocation except you are an Islamic cleric.”
“I feel it is weird that anyone would kick against development because Kano would be more developed if the film village is established.”
“However, if the north does not want a film village, they should come to the south and establish it. We would gladly receive it and appreciate such development.”
In her reaction to the cancellation of the project by the FG, Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, commented that the project should be implemented elsewhere if the people of the state are not interested.
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