The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has applauded Nigerians and the nation's movie industry, popularly called Nollywood, for the laudable strides achieved since coming to being.

This was contained in a statement issued by Tunde Hassan, the Special Assistant to the NFVCB Director-General, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement said that the director-general, Mrs. Patricia Bala, congratulated the movie industry as Nigeria marks its 55th Independence anniversary.

“It is note-worthy that the nation’s movie industry has taken a quantum leap to be the second biggest in the world, creating jobs, boosting the national income and projecting the Nigerian prowess in a distinctive way.

“The Nigerian movie industry has grown to be an authentic and distinctive brand of reckoning on a global scale. It is indeed a thing of pride that shows the remarkable heights the nation can attain.

“As the nation’s apex movie regulatory agency, the NFVCB urges all industry practitioners to continue to raise the ante and creative bar of excellence in a way to promote economic progress and development of the nation.”

According to the statement Bala said that the industry must re-double efforts at projecting the positive values that edify the nation and bind the country together in unity, peace, social harmony and sustainable progress.

It said the industry must also never lose sight of the fact that Nigeria’s well-being and development as a peaceful nation would continue to be of immense benefit to Nollywood’s creative energies anchored on achieving a broad value-chain.

“The movie industry must appreciate the need for continuous support of the government in the efforts to ensure security, create jobs and rid the nation of the malaise of corruption.

“The board is ever committed to pursuing regulatory policies that will continue to propel the growth of a better structured and organised industry with tangible benefits to all.” (NAN)

•Photo shows a Nollywood movie.

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