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President Jonathan, second from left, and Wife, Patience Jonathan, next to him, at the Nollywood at 20 dinner, yesterday. — President Jonathan, second from left, and wife, Patience Jonathan, next to him, at the Nollywood at 20 dinner, yesterday.

“Whenever I travel abroad, many of my colleagues, Presidents of other countries, ask me about Nollywood. Nollywood is our shining light. Africans are very proud of Nollywood. That is why we are here today to celebrate the success story of this national, continental and global brand,” said President Goodluck Jonathan, at a dinner in Marina, Lagos, yesterday — to celebrate Nollywood at 20.

To Nollywood, President Jonathan's wine toast to actor, chinedu ikedieze and wife to guest — To Nollywood, President Jonathan’s wine toast to actor, Chinedu Ikedieze, and wife to guest.

He used the event to launch “Project Nollywood” a grant program of N3 billion, to encourage excellence in movie making in Nigeria. He said, “It will include grants for the best film scripts; a capacity development fund, and funds for supporting the industry’s infrastructure. The scheme which will be launched in the first week of April, will be managed by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.”

In his speech, with smiles, President Jonathan unveils pictorial book, titled 'Icons of Nollywood' — In his speech, with smiles, President Jonathan unveils pictorial book, ‘Icons of Nollywood’

The president understands the popularity of Nigerian movies — in Africa and globally — and intends to get them full support, of his administration. He also said that, “NEXIM (bank) has extended about N766 million in loans to a number of companies involved in film production, cinemas, and distribution, with another scheduled N1.4 billion for projects in the industry.” Presidential and state government’s support for Nollywood has imcreased over the months, with pitch to movie makers, to use spaces, places and get useful services at a discount or for free. The Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio, who sat to the President’s right — at the dinner — donated N50 million for the President’s Award For Creativity.

Cross-section of guests, at Nollywood at 20, dinner, yesterday.

Nollywood is also getting international support, with movies in international theatres, appearance of Nollywood stars in international movies, and international stars in Nollywood movies and mentions in global media reports. Nollywood is the moniker for cinema of Nigeria, contrived from America’s movie industry name, Hollywood. The ‘N’ stands for Nigeria, replacing the ‘H’. Nollywood formed circa 1993, when the movie, Living in Bondage, was made. Living in Bondage’s release in September of 1992, was the focus of the anniversary. There are around 200 movies each month from Nollywood, and there are dedicated channels, on cable TV and online, to show them. It was called the $250 million industry, 6 years ago, and there are productions in local languages.