Introduction to Tinapa Film Village
Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has expressed concern over the neglect of the Tinapa Film Village in Calabar, calling for urgent steps to restore it to its former glory. Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Silva said Tinapa was envisioned as a hub for film-making, tourism and entertainment but now lies dormant, with its facilities underutilised and decaying.
The Current State of Tinapa
“Tinapa was built to be Nigeria’s Hollywood. It had world-class studios, sound stages and accommodation for film-makers. But today, it’s a ghost of its promise. It breaks my heart because that place had the potential to transform our film industry and create jobs for thousands of young Nigerians,” Silva said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinapa Film Village, conceived in the early 2000s, was designed to make Cross River a creative and economic hub. However, it has suffered years of neglect and underfunding.
Reviving Tinapa
Silva said reviving Tinapa should go beyond infrastructure repairs, stressing that the facility represents a dream that once inspired the creative industry across Nigeria and the continent. “If we can breathe life into Tinapa again, we can revive the heartbeat of Nollywood in the South-South region. It could attract global investors, film-makers and tourists. But it requires vision, political will and public-private collaboration,” Silva added.
Upcoming Cross River International Investment Summit
Her remarks come ahead of the Cross River International Investment Summit scheduled for Nov. 17 to Nov. 19 in London. It is themed “Unlocking Opportunities and Driving Sustainable Growth with the People’s First Agenda”. The summit aims to attract investors, engage the diaspora and spotlight tourism, ICT, renewable energy and creative industries; sectors linked to Tinapa’s original vision for the state.
Summit Objectives
Mr Ignatius Oli, Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee, said the summit seeks to position Cross River as a leading investment destination in West Africa. “This summit is not just about attracting funds. It’s about building partnerships that align with Governor Otu’s People’s First Agenda and promote sustainable growth,” Oli said. Registration details are available via https://cridcom.crossriverstate.gov.ng/crs-investment-summit. For further enquiries, contact: Hon. Ignatius Oli, Chairperson, Central Planning Committee, Cross River State Diaspora Commission. The Email is-ignatius.oli@cridcom.crossriverstate.gov.ng. Tel: +49 152 1614 8256.
Diaspora-Driven Investment
Similarly, Mr Otu Okor, Chairman of the Cross River Diaspora Commission, described the summit as a turning point for diaspora-driven investment in the state’s economy. “Our people in the diaspora are not spectators; they are vital partners in the state’s transformation agenda. The creative economy, including projects like Tinapa, will be a major discussion point at the summit,” he added.
Public-Private Partnership
Also, Femi Oyelade, Creative Director of Say It Loud Africa, said a Public-Private Partnership model could transform Tinapa into a thriving creative city powered by local expertise and foreign capital. Observers believe Silva’s call aligns with the state’s renewed push to attract investment into its creative and tourism sectors through the upcoming summit. They say reviving Tinapa could re-establish Cross River as a major film and tourism hub while boosting economic growth and youth employment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the revival of Tinapa Film Village is crucial for the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria. With the upcoming Cross River International Investment Summit, there is hope that the necessary investments and partnerships will be secured to restore Tinapa to its former glory. The support of the diaspora community, public-private partnerships, and the government’s commitment to the People’s First Agenda are essential for the success of this project.
FAQs
Q: What is Tinapa Film Village?
A: Tinapa Film Village is a film-making, tourism, and entertainment hub located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Q: Why is Tinapa Film Village important?
A: Tinapa Film Village is important because it has the potential to transform the film industry in Nigeria, create jobs for thousands of young Nigerians, and attract global investors, film-makers, and tourists.
Q: What is the current state of Tinapa Film Village?
A: Tinapa Film Village is currently underutilised and decaying due to years of neglect and underfunding.
Q: How can Tinapa Film Village be revived?
A: Tinapa Film Village can be revived through infrastructure repairs, public-private partnerships, and the support of the diaspora community.
Q: What is the Cross River International Investment Summit?
A: The Cross River International Investment Summit is an event scheduled for Nov. 17 to Nov. 19 in London, aimed at attracting investors, engaging the diaspora, and spotlighting tourism, ICT, renewable energy, and creative industries in Cross River State.
Source: nannews.ng
