The much awaited digital platform, IGOTV.NG has been officially unveiled at Silver bird Cinema house, Abuja on Sunday being 19th December, 2021.
Declaring the event opened, the chairman of the occasion, Barrister Usman Ibrahim, said, “Thompson Makolo Jnr, the initiator of the IGOTV has not just made history with the launch of the platform but has made entire Kogites particularly, Igala race proud as is the first of its kind not just in Kogi State but the entire Middlebelt region of Nigeria”.
Barrister Usman Ibrahim who was elated to be part of Tom Makolo Jnr’s adventure also called on the government at levels, NGOs, Financial Institutions and individuals to support and promote this noble project”.
Speaking at the event, the guest Speaker, Professor Armstrong Idachaba, Former Acting Director General of Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation ( NBC ), who spoke extensively on the topic: Emerging Platform For Indigenous Nigerian Film Content Distributions, traced the history of Nigerian film industry to the time of colonial era through golden age era to Video era and now Cinema era.
Professor Armstrong said, “From 1903 when Nigeria film made its debut in Lagos Nigeria till date, distribution has been a major challenge” lamenting that those who pirate intellectual works in this industry earn more money than the producers and actors in the industry.
Narrating his personal experience, Professor Armstrong said, “I, standing in this podium has been a victim of someone who has been robbed in the industry and I have first hand information of what producers and actors face out there”.
“For example, the first Igala movie I acted and produced in 1994 titled ” Amé Oboni “, was pirated largely by one notorious man in Anyigba, Kogi State thereby robbing me and my colleagues in the industry then our due entitlement”.
Professor Armstrong who did not shy away in mentioning that the Initiator of IGOTv has big players in the industry to compete with also advised Tom Makolo Jnr to take advantage of ” Technology ” through internet and social media for effective distribution of IGOTV products.
Earlier, the initiator of IGOTV, Mr Tom Makolo Jnr said the idea of IGOTV was born out of age long discrimination in the industry that minority languages such as Igala, Idoma, Ebira, Bassa, Ibibio, Izekiri, Ogoja, Kakada, Orobo, Ijaws, and such numerous other languages never get to watch their films on the so-called big stage as the big stage only shows Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba films.
While soliciting for support from Government, NGOs, Financial Institutions, and well spirited individuals, towards the success of IGOTV platform, Makolo Jnr also appreciated individuals who have identified with him thus far.
IGOTv is in partnership with Utopian Project Films ( USA ), Urban Cultures ideas, and WOWWOW Innovations
There were goodwill messages from UN Ambassador from Atlanta, USA, Dr Chanita Foster, ( Hosted by Maryam Ogundepo/ FCT/ Dr Jumai Ahmadu) Dr Maryam Ogundepo, ED Achana Legacy Foundation, Hon Simisola Ayoade S A Social Development to Hon Minister of State FCT, Dr Ben Amodu, Dr Jumai Ahmadu Ag Director Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department FCTA, Dr Stephanie Safiya Musa, DR ENEMA J AMODU, NMA CHAIRMAN, FCT, Represented by Dr Akogu among others.
In a closing remark, by co-initiators of IGOTV, Mr Victor Morgan and Sylvester Omeje, thanked the guests for honouring their invitation, emphasising that recommendations, observations and criticism where necessary are allowed and that films like, Acholo, Amina, Edo, Échóga, Nostalgia and plenty others are already on IGOTV for viewers viewing pleasure.
