UNESCO commits to supporting Nollywood
Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo, Head of Office and Country Representative of UNESCO in Nigeria, announced that UNESCO is prepared to offer technical assistance for the growth of the Nigerian film industry. This declaration was made during the exclusive premiere of “When Wolves Cry,” a film addressing the detrimental impact of fake news.
The event, held at the UN House in Abuja on Thursday evening, was attended by government officials, diplomats, and film industry stakeholders. The movie, produced and directed by award-winning Nollywood filmmaker Emmanuel Eyaba, is an advocacy piece created by 2ET Media Network.
Diallo remarked that the premiere of “When Wolves Cry” aligns with the goals of UNESCO’s 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. He explained that UNESCO’s support aims to help member states foster an environment conducive to the protection and promotion of diverse cultural expressions across various forms, including video, film, literature, design, culinary arts, crafts, fashion, motion graphics, and theatre.
Diallo emphasized that UNESCO is committed to providing technical support to advance Nigeria’s film and video industry. He highlighted UNESCO’s ongoing efforts, including the organization of the first National Dialogue on the Cultural and Creative Industries and the Sustainable Development Goals in October 2023. UNESCO is also spearheading the review and update of Nigeria’s cultural policies and is a key partner in the UNESCO-EU programme that promotes evidence-based policies to enhance the role of creative sectors in sustainable development.
Diallo took the opportunity to commend 2ET Media for their work on “When Wolves Cry” and other projects.
Emmanuel Eyaba, who also serves as Chairman of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), FCT chapter, shared that the film was inspired by his passion for creating advocacy content that tackles societal issues. He noted that “When Wolves Cry” is a Pan-African project featuring actors from four different countries and emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of fake news. Plans are in place to screen the film at major film festivals, cinemas, and educational institutions across Nigeria.
