CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the study
Over
the years, Nigerian films or movies have become extremely popular among
Nigerians at home and abroad and a growing number of foreigners too have
developed great love for Nigerian movies. Through these movies Nigerians are
experiencing a cultural tie worldwide. However, the growing influence of the
Western media and the concept of globalization seem to be creating a transition
of Nigerian culture to the Western culture, especially in the urban areas and
cities. A trend that is fast growing and eating deep into every facet of our
system.
Most of the films shown in commercial
theatres are meant primarily to entertain and they are fictional rather than
factual and where they are based on facts, events that have actually happened
are dramatized. Many entertainment films duel on sex, crime, rituals and so on.
Nollywood films are rated based on
certain audiences that they are meant for. Some are strictly for adults and are
marked while others are for the general public of all ages.
Mgbejume (1989) opines that the immense
potential of film was recognized even during colonial times. The Federal
Information apparatus earlier acknowledged film as the most effectivemedium for internal and external
publicity.
This study x-rays the potentials of
Nollywood in promoting National unity and development among Nigerians in spite
of tribe, culture, religion or ethnic differences.
In the past, Nollywood film was known
as cinema which was shown across the big cities in Nigeria upon payment for
tickets by interested audience members who could afford the pay. These films
were shown at night following an earlier advertisement of the film to be shown
for the day through posters mounted at the entrance of the cinema houses.
Sambe (2008:142) defines film as series
of motionless images projected into a screen so fast as to create in the mind
of anyone watching the screen an impression of continuous motion.
The films which were popularly watched
by adults attracted a lot of population and they were shown using projectors.
People at that time depended on the cinemas as their major source of
entertainment but as development engrossed Nigeria, the film industry emerged
with popular Yoruba films which were later followed by the Hausa films, and
lgbo films, and today, we have plenty of home videos which dwell on diverse
topics and culture. Some are for entertainment, others for the purpose of
information and education while others still are for cultural transmission.
Culture is said to be people way of
life. However, the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines culture
as the beliefs, way of life, art and
customs that are shared and accepted by people in a particular society.
Culture is also defined as the achievements and productions in Art,
literature and music. (Billington et al 1991:1).
According to Azuh (2011) Cultural
heritage is widely recognized as the most important input in defining the
national and ethnic cultures in Nigeria. The National Archives, the National
Museum, the National Library and all tertiary institutions have taken over the
task to work on research, restoration and preservation of the cultural
heritage. There is a need for well established documentation on cultural
heritage, as well as a need for a well organized service for its restoration
and preservation. This can be done through Nigerian movies.
1.2
Statement of Problems
Nigeria
experience in everyday life communal mutuality in village festivals,
traditional dancing tunes and steps, religious worships and socio-cultural
cooperation in works. This experience can be communicated to people
through the use of film. Film is a unique means of communication, its visual
bias gives it a universal appeal and impact. Film plays important roles in the
development and unity of any groups of people, ethnicity, and race as a nation
or country. It is a veritable tool of national development. Film is a purveyor
of culture. It helps to preserve the culture of a people from eroding away. On
this background the researcher wants to investigate the roles of Nollywood in
promoting national unity and development.
1.3
Objective of the study
The
objectives of the study are;
1. To know the extent to which Nigerians
are exposed to Nollywood movies?
2. To examine the type of contents of
Nollywood movies Nigerians prefer?
3. To identify the factors responsible for
their preferred contents?
4. To examine the roles of Nollywood movies on National
unity and development?
1.4
Research questions
1. To what extent are Nigerians exposed to
Nollywood movies?
2. What type of contents of Nollywood
movies do Nigerians prefer?
3. What factors are responsible for their
preferred contents?
4. What is the role of Nollywood movies on
National unity and development?
1.5
Significance of the study
This
study, which is primarily aimed at explaining the roles of Nollywood in promoting
national unity and development, will provide an insight into the problems
associated with unity of the nation, Nigeria. This report would be of great
benefit for nation, to expose them to the Nigeria film as an instrument for
national unity. The findings will be useful for researchers to further generate
knowledge in the field.
1.5
Scope and limitation of the study
The
scope of the study covers Nigeria films as an instrument for national unity and
development. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope
of the study;
a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH
MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is
insufficient, thereby limiting the study
b)
TIME: The time frame allocated to the study
does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic
activities and examinations with the study.
c)
Organizational privacy: Limited Access to
the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and
required information concerning the activities
1.6 Definition of terms
FILM:
Film, also called a movie, motion
picture, theatrical film, or photoplay, is a series of still images that when
shown on a screen creates an illusion of motion images
INSTRUMENT:
A tool or implement, especially one for precision work.
NATIONAL
UNITY: A national
unity government, government of national unity,
or national union government is a broad coalition government
consisting of all parties (or all major parties) in the legislature, usually
formed during a time of war or other national emergency.
NOLLYWOOD:
Nollywood is a sobriquet that originally referred to the Nigerian film
industry.
DEVELOPMENT:
the process of developing or being developed