The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has reacted to the formal recognition and licensing of a Collective Management Organization (CMO) for Audio Visual Property Rights in Nigeria, describing it as very timely, apt and commendable. The NFC in a statement by Brian Etuk Head, Public Affairs, said the establishment of the CMO will among others, go a long way in adding up to the consolidation efforts of the Audiovisual sector of Nigeria's Creative Industry especially the film sector which has continually attracted the attention of government, private entrepreneurs, fund providers and investors to be regulated.

The statement, quotes Dr. Danjuma Dadu, NFC's Managing Director, as saying that the establishment and licensing of the CMO was achieved through the collective efforts all stakeholders on the need to protect the intellectual property rights of Audio Visual professionals as well as enable them have access to residual benefits thereof.

Dadu, averred that the CMO has also brought rest the issues of non-compliance with the international rules by users of Audiovisual works without approved rights or payments thereof.

The NFC Boss tasked filmmakers to take opportunities that have been provided with the licensing of the CMO and improve on their quality of production. The Nigerian Film Corporation, he said will continue to engage all stakeholders on the need to adequately regulate the sector, in line with best global practices. All relevant laws, including that which will regulate the professional practice of filmmakers in Nigeria, Dadu said are being adequately addressed. “Activities within the Nigerian Film Industry would be business in character to provide the necessary returns, both in terms of employment generation and wealth creation”, the statement added.

Consequently, in 2015, the NFC will, through the National Film Institute, Jos increase its training and capacity building activities to provide practitioners and new entrants into film business and studies, the needed knowledge and experience. Dadu also assured that year 2015 will witness increase in film related activities. He commended all filmmakers for the sustenance of the fortunes of the film industry in the outgoing year.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Film Corporation provided the fulcrum for the establishment of the CMO for Audiovisual, through the several domestic stakeholder's sensitization workshops organized in Nigeria with the World International Property Rights Organization, Geneva, as strategic partners.

Three (3) other members of the Creative Industry Quartet; The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the National Film & Video Censors Board (NFVCB) equally played key roles during the several years of sensitization of stakeholders on the need for a CMO for the sector.

Dadu equally charged the Mahmood Ali Balogun interim leadership of the CMO to constructively engage and sensitize all stakeholders on the role and benefits of subscribing to the CMO as registered members. This he said will engender the speedy take off of full operations of the CMO, whose present national office secretariat is at the Nigerian Film Corporation, (NFC) Lagos Branch Office, Obalende-Ikoyi Road, by Voice of Nigeria.

Brian Etuk

Head, Public Affairs.© 2014Nollywoodgists.com