The Rivers State Government has expressed optimism about a boost in the state’s creative industry following assurances by MultiChoice/M-Net to increase patronage of locally produced film and television content.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice/M-Net Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
Ndigbara said the engagement had opened new opportunities for local content producers, noting that the company was favourably disposed to patronising productions that showcase locations across Rivers State.
He described the state as a destination with significant potential for film tourism and content development, adding that Ojon’s participation in the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) in Bonny provided an opportunity to explore its creative prospects.
According to him, the meeting was organised to build on discussions initiated during the festival and explore ways to attract more film and television productions to the state.
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He said Rivers had numerous untold stories and untapped creative opportunities capable of attracting national and international attention, expressing confidence that the assurances from M-Net could revitalise the state’s creative industry.
Speaking after the meeting, Ojon said his visit was aimed at exploring opportunities to promote tourism in Rivers through film and other creative productions.
He disclosed that despite MultiChoice’s recent acquisition by France’s Canal+ and the ongoing restructuring, he would advocate for Rivers State to be considered as a potential host location for the MultiChoice Talent Factory.
Ojon observed that Asaba had become saturated as a major film production hub, explaining that the company was interested in exploring new locations in Rivers to discover emerging talents, filming sites and original storylines.
He called for stronger collaboration between the state government, creative industry practitioners and other stakeholders to unlock opportunities in the state’s tourism and entertainment sectors.
The proposed partnership is expected to create fresh opportunities for local talents, attract film investments and strengthen Rivers State’s position as an emerging destination for film production and tourism in Nigeria.
