KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY HOLDS ITS FIRST INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP

The Kwara State University has successfully held its first international conference/workshop.

The conference which was themed “Nollywood: A National Cinema?”, attracted various Nollywood scholars and practitioners across the world.

The four day event attracted Nollywood scholars like Prof. Jane Bryce from University of West Indies, Prof. Jonathan Haynes from Long Island University, Prof. Manthia Diawara New York University. Guest Convener Prof. Onookome Okome, University of Alberta, Canada. (Visiting Professor, Visual and Performing Art, Kwara State University), Prof. Harry Garruba, University of Cape town South Africa, Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi, Department of Theatre Art, University of Ibadan, among others.

Nollywood practitioners that took part in the international conference include: Mr. Afolabi Adesanya. MD, Nigeria Film Corporation. Tunde Kelani, MD Mainframe Production, Bond Emeruwa, Emem Isong to mention a few. Movie stars that grace the conference with their attendance included Adebayo Salami, Femi Adebayo and Bukola Okeowo.

The international conference provided a forum for Nollywood scholars, Nollywood practitioners, movie stars and students of the Kwara State University to have a comprehensive discussion on the challenges facing film – making in Nigeria and how to develop the industry.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, the University Vice Chancellor, said the theme of the conference was appropriate as the University is looking for ways to partner with private individuals both locally and internationally to ensure that the proposed film village of the university, the first in Nigerian universities, is put on the world map.