Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has eyed the entertainment industry, particularly movie production, as a viable area to diversify the economy and provide employment for the teeming youths in the state.
He revealed this as the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Benin Zonal Network, unveiled a new television series titled 100 ways to win a husband in Benin City where his deputy’s wife, Mrs Maryann Shaibu, represented him.
He also promised to provide an enabling environment for the television series to succeed and gain acceptance, adding that he would collaborate with NTA to develop talent and raise movie stars in the state.
He said: “You are aware of my promise to create 200,000 jobs. Many youths have already registered under the Edo Jobs Initiative. This production is not a mistake. My government is in support. We will collaborate with you to grow and develop future movie stars in this state. This is one opportunities for the youths to key into job creation.”
Meanwhile, NTA revealed that the television series would be styled like the famous “Hotel D Jordan”.
Zonal Director, Mrs. Pullen Igbanor, said the television series, produced in collaboration with a private consortium, would address issues of marital breakup, promote moral values and help youths discover their talents.
Igbanor said artistes in the series were drawn from youths in the state seeking to make it big in Nollywood.
“Nigeria has become the cradle of entertainment in Africa. We have to provide a platform for young talented people to grow. We want to provide opportunities for our youths to carve a niche in the film industry. We felt that if the state government looked into the entertainment industry, it would help employ people and achieve the 200,000 promised jobs,” she said.
