NFVCB to train 50 youths at Nigeria Digital Content Conference — ED

The Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says it will train 50 selected emerging youth talents and entrepreneurs during its upcoming two-day Nigeria Digital Content Conference in Lagos .

Mr Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director/CEO NFVCB made the disclosure at a news conference held in Lagos on Wednesday.

Thomas explained that the youth would be trained on ‘Understanding the modules of Over -The -Top (OTT) streaming and its components.’

“This is an initiative driven by the need to attract young minds into the industry to significantly drive employment, economic growth and create an avenue for interaction between the young and old in the digital film ecosystem,” he said.

According to him, the shift from traditional to digital content consumption and the operations of local and international OTT streaming services made it imperative to convene a two-day Nigeria Digital Content Conference.

Thomas said that the conference, scheduled to hold from Dec. 1, to Dec. 2, would bring operators, stakeholders and associated interests together in a conversation.

“While the conference is scheduled to hold from Dec. 1, to Dec. 2, at Ikeja, it would be preceded by the training of youths on Nov. 29, and Nov. 30, also in Ikeja.

“As humanity accepts the ‘new norm,’ there is need to give form, structure, balance and protection, so as not to lose the current value and forecast,” he said.

Thomas said that the Nigerian Entertainment and Creative Industry had considerably grown widely with a positive outlook, opening up new business model along its value chain.

“This may not be dissociated from the appreciation and adoption of new media, technological innovations, trends and inputs.

“From the traditional film, music stand-up comedy, celluloid cinemas, video cassette, DVD and satellite television, just anybody can produce and showcase their digital content online now.

“Consumers can access contents through subscription video on demand; quality has improved, entertainment value driven higher, increased forex earnings and easing of pressure on Nigeria unemployment rate, amongst others,” he said.

The NFVCB boss stated that the new media and tech-driven successes of their digital content were largely due to its virtual space and audience created by it.

He said improvement in the quality and offerings of cinematographic contents and access had helped to improve social interactions.

He said it also strengthened the fight against piracy and boosted revenue and market penetration of creative contents.

He thanked Mr President, Minister of Information and Culture and all stakeholders of the industry for their unflinching support to board over the years, while looking forward to a successful conference.

In her remark, the Conference Committee Chairperson, Mrs Ijeoma Ona, said that the conference was geared toward protecting the business of production and creativity.

“We are all dedicated and committed to the growth of the industry and that is why we are looking inward deliberately and intentionally to ensure that global best practices are adopted and adhered to.

“It is important to ensure that producers are protected and the right environment and policies are put in place to help their business,” Ona said.

Mr Zik Zulu-Okafor, the Conference Committee Vice Chairperson, said all was in place for a conference that would improve operations in the industry.