By AKEEM ABAS

The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has restated its commitment toward repositioning the film industry for optimal performance.

Its President, Bolaji Amusan, made the assertions on Monday at the orientation ceremony organised for prospective students of the newly founded TAMPAN Academy in Ibadan.

Amusan said that the academy was the brain child of Prince Dele Odule, under whom Amusan served as a National Officer between 2014 and 2018.

He said that his administration would not relent in its efforts to reposition the industry for greater heights and compete favourably with the counterparts from other countries.

The association president showered encomiums on Odule for initiating the vision of a training school in the name of the association.

Also, Adedoyin Aguori, a Professor of Comparative Literature and Director, Centre for Excellence in Learning/ Teaching, University of Ibadan, urged the participants to devote their time to learning.

Aguori, who was the Guest Speaker, said the only way to do well in life was through acquisition of knowledge.

The renowned research expert explained that those remembered as founders of Nigerian Theatre had created time for learning.

She gave examples of the late Hubert Ogunde and late Chief Duro Ladipo, who studied other cultures in order to excel in their exploits during the days of the travelling theatre.

According to her, the hasty run to stardom is killing professionalism.

Aguori urged the leadership of TAMPAN to continue to promote initiatives capable of building the capacity of future filmmakers.

In his remarks, the Provost of the academy, Dr Ore-Ofe Williams, highlighted importance of the Academy in building the experience and knowledge of its intake for a rewarding future in the global media and entertainment sector.

Williams commended vision of leadership of TAMPAN for deeming it necessary to strive to enhance professionalism and build the future of creative industry in Nigeria.

The provost said that the role and mission of the academy was to ensure that students of the academy receive the best “possible education and get well equipped with skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their future endeavours”.

He said that the academy was poised to raising professionals whose premier goal would centre on production of quality content and projection of African brand of entertainment.

“The academy aims to inspire exploration and globalisation of indigenous culture and tradition toward redefining the Nigeria film industry.

“To inculcate social attitudes and character in aspiring filmmakers and build them to becoming worthy ambassadors of Nollywood and the entertainment sector as a whole.

“To raise a community of impact makers who maximise technological advancements and the new media toward the globalisation of African contents,” he said.

Williams said that TAMPAN Academy was to run both part-time and full time in Certificate and Diploma Courses.

He said already, scholarships had been announced as incentives for pioneer students, adding that more prospective students had already obtained interest forms.

The provost said that with the level of preparation, TAMPAN Academy might, within the next six or seven weeks, be graduating the first set of students.

Williams said that Nollywood would be having the long-awaited opportunity to be repositioned for optimal performance. (NAN)

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