Nigeria Film As An Instrument For National Unity

This study is on the Nigeria film as an instrument for national unity. The total population for the study is 200 staff of Nollywood in Lagos State. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up producers, directors, actors and actresses were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

Introduction

1.1 Background of 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 Mgbejume (1989). 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 but film like "half of a yellow sun" tells about war, loyalty, brutality, and love in modern Africa. While painting a searing portrait of the tragedy that took place in Biafra during the 1960s. 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 and unity. One of the key areas in which film perform is in the realm of culture. Film is a purveyor of culture. It helps to preserve the culture of a people from eroding away( http://filminnaija.blogspot.com.ng).

Culture is the totality of the ways of life of a group of people, nation or tribe including their food, costumes, dressing, music, marriage and burial practices etc and it is the bedrock of the essence of being of a people. (Tunde Oladunjoye in April 18, 2004) "Cannes Film Festival Knocks, Where is Nigeria?" retraced and emphasizes the role film plays in cultural promotion when he says "I am not aware of any nation that has been able to achieve development and unity without proactive promotion of its essential cultural components" and this is true because culture is an integral aspect of the life of a people. According to Ekwuazi (1991), the film is a cultural index, a cultural reflector, a socializing agent and therefore the instrument of unity to the nation. He further explains that the film constitutes an industry whose production is directly ideological. What this means is that the film, in this case, home video projects what it seeks to communicate to its audience, what it seeks to sell, what it wants its audience to understand and what it wants its audience to imbibe. This is why it is pertinent to review the home video as an image of unity for Nigeria. Wale Adenuga further opines that as "film is a popular culture and as expected, it must mirrorize, recreate and tell stories of the societies in which it subsists.

The Nigerian film industry is no exception. Film plays a vital role in social mobilization and information. Film is used to popularize government policies and ideologies amongst the masses. Owing to its ability to hold a captive audience films are used more than any other means of mass communication to promote ideas of positive social transformation as well as to consolidate and build new relationship between culture and national unity and development for example, the National Orientation Agency and the Ministry of Information and Culture uses films to promulgate awareness on issues such as the HIV/AIDS endemic, anti-corruption, poverty alleviation, etc. It is a tool of national mobilization, unity, a sign of national autonomy and a means of the preservation of heritage and sovereignty

1.2 Statement of the Problem

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 Nigeria film as an instrument for national unity.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The objectives of the study are;

To ascertain whether Nigeria film is an instrument for national unity

To ascertain whether the film half of a yellow sun brought unity to the nation

To ascertain the level of unity half of a yellow sun brought to the nation

To ascertain the relationship between Nigeria film and national unity

1.4 Research Hypotheses

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H0: Nigeria film is not an instrument for national unity
H1: Nigeria film is an instrument for national unity

H02: The film half of a yellow sun doe not brought unity to the nation
H2: The film half of a yellow sun brought unity to the nation

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study, which is primarily aimed at explaining the Nigeria film as an instrument for national unity, will provide an insight into the problems associated with unity of the nation. 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.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of the study covers Nigeria film as an instrument for national unity. 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

1.7 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.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.

Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.

Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.

Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.

Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Nigeria film as an instrument for national unity

In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Nigeria film as an instrument for national unity

5.2 Summary

This study was on a study of Nigeria film as an instrument for national unity. Four objectives were raised which included: To ascertain whether Nigeria film is an instrument for national unity, to ascertain whether the film half of a yellow sun brought unity to the nation, to ascertain the level of unity half of a yellow sun brought to the nation, to ascertain the relationship between Nigeria film and national unity. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of Nollywood in Lagos State. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up producers, directors, actors and actresses were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

5.3 Conclusion

Film is a mass communication medium that can be used to bring about unity and promote our cultural heritage and this can be done by the kind of messages portrayed. By and large, Nigerian films have gone to the far ends of the earth and it should be a medium for show casing our rich cultural heritage. The unity of this nation can be enhanced through the packaging of films or movies which is being watched by Nigerians at home and abroad

5.4 Recommendation

Following the trend of all that is going on in the film industry, I thereby make the following recommendations:

The Nigerian films censors" commission should scrutinize films before they are sent out for viewing by the larger audience.

Script writers should always have at the back of their minds that Nigeria"s cultural heritage should be foremost on their minds when they are writing any script.

Henceforth, village heads should be contacted to get actual story lines that would reflect their culture.

Producers should use film as a medium to first and foremost promote unity among Nigerian communities as they have done in very few films to reiterate our oneness in spite of our cultural, religious or ethnic differences.

The talents (actors and actresses) chosen should be compelled to dress and speak like real Nigerians.

Filmmakers should explore the lives of great African women who have made meaningful contributions to the success of the family and the country, and whose stories are both powerful and compelling to promote unity.

There should be an analysis and understanding of the Nigerian cultural life, cultural values and cultural needs and expectations of people.

• Influence Of Violent Film On Nigerian Children
• Negative Effects Of Pornographic Films And Magazines On The Nigerian Youths
• Media Involvement In Rebranding Nigerian Film Industry
• Influence Of Pornography Films On Nigerian Youths
• Effect Of Modern Nigeria Film On Nigerians
• Impacts Of Pornographic Films On Nigerian Youth In Nigeria
• Influence Of Hollywood Films On The Cultural Values Of Nigerian Youths

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials