NFVCB Trains Undergraduates On Media Literacy And Capacity Building

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has organised a two-day media literacy and capacity-building programme for youths, aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in filmmaking and media.

The two-day interactive session and capacity building held at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos to empower select youths with critical media literacy skills and creative storytelling techniques was declared open on Tuesday by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola.

The participating youths numbering over 300 were drawn from five higher institutions of learning in Lagos namely University of Lagos; Yaba College of Technology; Lagos State University; Trinity University; and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology.

In his welcome remark, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB explained that it’s important to take the programme to universities so as to equip the students with practical skills, empower and build their capacities in various aspects of creative arts that include directing, cinematography, acting, screenwriting, costume design and art creative design.

“This programme has been on for a while, but I thought we should move it from the usual audience to universities. There’s so much theory with no practice. We need to train you in different areas of filmmaking and expose you to the dynamics of media. We need people like you that we can build on,” Husseini told the participating students.

The NFVCB Boss also highlighted the collaboration with Lagos-based institutions, appreciating the turnout from both private and public universities.

He urged the participating students to listen and endeavour to use the opportunity to learn and evolve their talents while meeting with industry experts.

“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,” the NFVCB boss said.

In her keynote remark on the opening day of the training, Ms. Julie McKay, Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate, Lagos, congratulated the selected youths while stressing that people are paying more attention to African creative —films and music— especially by Nigerians and believing the next OSCAR winner “might come from this room here in Nigeria.”

Also speaking on the importance of media literacy, McKay emphasized that media literacy is the foundation of any informed society as it teaches us to ask questions —the most fundamental skill for critical thinking and discernment in today’s information age.

“By asking questions, we are empowered to navigate the complex media landscape, separate fact from fiction, and make informed decisions,’ she said.

Ms. McKay pointed out the statement made in September by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about how accurate information is vital to the health of any democracy.

“This helps citizens to understand the issues, effects and events that are affecting their lives. It empowers them to engage meaningfully in their communities, their country, and the entire 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 explained.

She added, “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.”

McKay submitted that the United States has a lot to learn from Nigerians, hence the decision to partner and exchange knowledge as she reeled out some of the partnerships with Nigerian creatives including Kunle Afolayan Production Academy where the U.S brought in experts for masterclasses to train next sets of filmmakers.

She 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 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 for a one year course that is specifically designed for students, and we are also partnering with Entertainment Week Lagos where we will be having a crash course on scripting,” she said.

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.

Mabogunje further stressed that the event 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.

In the same vein, Dr. Theresa Ifeoma Amobi of the Mass Communication Department of University of Lagos, kicked off the teaching with her session that dwells on Media Literacy.

Dr. Amobi spoke on the Information skills as a tool for combating information anomaly and disorder.

She took her time to teach the students, who also participated with questions and showed understanding throughout the session.

The two-day event had top film practitioners like Uzodinma Okpechi and Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen taking the directing session; John Aduloju 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; Anthony Kehinde Joseph and Bunmi Ajakaiye taking the scriptwriting sessions.

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 ED and other directors in attendance.

Other Nollywood stakeholders who gave remarks at the sessions include Queen Blessing Ebigieson, Bolaji Amusan aka Mr Latin, Owolabi Ajasa and others.