In today’s digital age, the media, no doubt plays a significant role in shaping our perceptions, influencing our attitudes, and informing our decisions, especially as young people are the most active consumers and producers of media content.
However, with the rise of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, it is more important than ever to equip them with critical thinking skills, media literacy knowledge, and technical expertise needed to navigate the complex media landscape.
It is on this premise that the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26 and 27, organised a two-day interactive session and capacity building for youths and undergraduates from five various higher institutions of learning in Lagos State.
The participating youths/students, which were over 300, and drawn from the University of Lagos (UNILAG); Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH); Lagos State University, (LASU); Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), and Trinity University, were gathered at the Afe Babalola Hall situated inside the University of Lagos for the training sessions that were specially created to empower and build capacity in various aspects that include directing, cinematography, acting, screenwriting, costume design and creative art design.
In her keynote remarks, the Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Lagos, Julie McKay, stated that people are paying more attention to African creatives – films and music – especially Nigeria, expressing confidence that the next OSCAR winner might come from Nigeria – the participants at the training.
She said, “U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said in September that accurate information is vital to the health of any democracy. It helps citizens understand the issues and effects – events that are affecting their lives.
“It empowers them to engage meaningfully in their communities, their country, and the world. When state or non-state actors spread disinformation, material deliberately meant to deceive or divide our public; they attack the very foundations of our free and open society,” McKay added.
Continuing she said, “The United States and Nigeria share a common vision for a future where our citizens not only have access to reliable information but can also identify and stop the spread of disinformation. The best tool we have in the fight against disinformation is media literacy. The U.S has a lot to learn from Nigerians, hence the decision to partner and exchange knowledge.
Speaking further, the US Consulate Public Affairs Officer reeled out some of the partnerships with Nigerian creatives including Kunle Afolayan Production Academy where the U.S brought in experts for master classes to train next sets of filmmakers.
McKay also announced some of the programmes that will benefit students and young Nigerians from a long list of exchange programmes that are organised annually by the U.S. consulate.
“We have programmes like the American music mentorship programme for music producers to get mentorship and work in a part of America where all these happen. We also have Script to Screen, a one year course that is specifically for students, and we are also partnering with Entertainment Week Lagos where we will be having a crash course on scripting,” she stated.
The chairman of the event, Mrs Toki Mabogunje, in her speech noted that the event was aimed at equipping young people with skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to critically evaluate and create media content.
She stressed that the training/capacity building workshop also aims to promote media literacy as a critical component of education, civic engagement and social responsibility as well as providing a platform for young people to learn, share ideas, and showcase their talents.
“As young people participating in this capacity building programme, you have the opportunity to sharpen your skills and learn from veterans and experts in the industry. At this point in time, as young people, you have the opportunity to shape the stories that will inspire, entertain and educate generations to come,” she said.
On his part, the Executive Director NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini, in his welcome address, urged the participating students to listen and endeavour to use the opportunity to learn and evolve their talents while meeting with industry experts.
He said, “Being a lecturer, a journalist, dancer and creative, I have always wanted capacity building for students and I have always yearned for more of this fora for talented students to learn and build on their imbued talents. I am most grateful to the industry experts that decided to do this and walk on this journey with us as well as the participating students.”
To kick-off the training sessions, Dr Theresa Ifeoma Amobi of the Mass Communication Department of UNILAG, who spoke on Media Literacy, noted that information skills are an important tool for combating information anomaly and disorder.
She stated that by empowering the youths/students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to effectively engage with the media, they will and can contribute to a more informed, critically thinking, and responsible citizenry.
The two-day event had top movie practitioners like Uzodinma Okpechi and Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen taking the directing session; John Duloju taking the cinematography session; Keppy Ekpeyong and Bimbo Akintola taking the acting sessions; Toyin Ogundeji taking the Costume Design sessions, Leo Omoseebi taking the creative design session, while Anthony Kehinde Joseph and Bunmi Ajakaiye took the scriptwriting sessions.
Other Nollywood stakeholders spotted at the event include Ambassador Dr Queen Blessing Ebigieson, Bolaji Amusan well known as Mr Latin, Owolabi Ajasa and others.
The event ended with some participating students winning prizes for their steadfastness and dedication to the training, while all participating students were presented with the certificate for participation by the NFVCB Executive Director and other directors in attendance.
Comments are closed.