The Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has advised the Movie Marketers Association of Nigeria to come up with ideas to improve Nollywood, especially tackling piracy.
Obasa spoke during the week at the Lagos Assembly Round Table Dialogue with the Movie Marketers Association.
The Association is made up of marketers, distributors, producers and directors.
The lawmakers and members of the MMA met at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja.
Obasa said: “There is a ministry in charge of matters that concerns anything about Nollywood and with one of you here as a lawmaker, we are sure we will do something to protect your interest.
“It is a war that we have to fight together.
“Your existence is a source of joy and happiness to Nigeria and that is why we are glad to help.”
The Speaker assured them that the government will not allow Nollywood die because “your industry has developed the economy and made this country popular abroad”.
Nollywood actor and the lawmaker representing Surulere 1, Hon. Desmond Elliot, who facilitated the forum, attributed the slow growth in the film industry to lack of government’s involvement.
Elliot decried piracy, saying it was killing the industry and its operators.
Elliot said the dialogue was to examine “how development partnership between the government and the film industry can boost the state’s economy”.