FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO MORE THAN GIVING OUT LOANS TO MOVIE MAKERS...Amb.Queen Blessing.

Ambassador  Queen Blessing Ebigieson is an household name in the Nigerian Movie industry generally known as Nollywood , With over ten years experience in an industry regarded as the third largest in the world, BQ as she is fondly called knows the in and out of Nollywood. She has been honoured with numerous awards ,home and abroad for contributions to the Movie industry and  humanity In this short interview with Lagoshappens.blogspot.com , the Benin born actress talked about her career ,her NGO and the movie industry in general . Kindly  scroll down to read through.

What is your Nollywood Experience like?

BQ:  when I started initially it was not easy , but to the glory of God things started falling into places along the line. I have featured in several movies ,television  drama and  I have also produced more than 5 movies  , namely Temi Nikan, Lori Ere, Ileri Ife, Ejo Mi ko, Borokinin, among others . Currently working on another movie project and the budget is huge.

Are you going to get Loan for the Movie from Bank Of Industry like some of your colleagues ?

No! (In capital letter)

Why?

My brother ,because I don’t have the liver at the moment.

How do you mean?

If I borrow money say 30million to make a movie and at the end am unable to make back the money not to talk of profit , where do I get the money  to pay back the loan and the interest, I don’t want to die young, those that are borrowing money  have the means of paying back ,as for me the intervention of the Federal Government in the Movie industry should go beyond giving out loans to movie producers to make films.

What needs to be done?

Firstly the Government should create an enabling environment where creativity can survive, if that is not in place, if you give someone money to make a movie recouping the investment becomes highly difficulty.  Secondly, drastic actions must be taken on piracy , piracy is global problem but it can be reduced to the minimal , if better laws are put in place and enforce to the fullest ,to protect intellectual property ,it will reduce the activities of piracy, thirdly there should be more cinemas across the country , where we can showcase our films , investors should be encourage in that aspect.

What are the effects of Social Media on Nollywood?

It is a good thing to some extent , just that it has  its own problem , before now our works are been pirated via DVD but now we have to contend with “Alaba Boys” ,blogs and websites who upload  our films without  getting the rights. It’s very annoying and frustrating after going through financial stress of producing a movie or music, some people would just sit in the comfort of their homes and make money off the producer without stress. People don’t respect intellectual property in the this part of the world.  

What is the Movie Producers Association doing in that regards?

There is little artistes bodies, like Association Of Movie Producers , Actors Guild of Nigeria, (AGN), TAMPAN, ANTP and others can do , if the law is not strong enough  and the  law enforcement agencies are not enforcing the law . The government needs to understand the fact that actors and actress like others in the creative industry in Nigeria are the unofficial ambassadors of this country, because we use our works to promote and project the image of this country to the outside world.  

Why did you set up Queen Blessing Foundation?

To me, life is better, when you are happy , but life is at its best when others are happy because of you, I see  the foundation  as a means of extending a hand of fellowship to widows and the less privileged in the society. The foundation is all about widows. I know that as I have chosen the widows, I am automatically getting to the children and it has been on for 10 good years. And over the years we have affected the lives of  some widows in Ikorodu, Okpella Benin City, Suleja Niger State, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos. We have also made donations of materials to places like , Red Cross Motherless Babie Home, Makoko-Lagos, Heart of Gold Hospice ,Lagos, Modupe Cole Memorial Home ,Akoka,Yaba Lagos among others.

How do you fund the NGO.

It has been the grace of God and the little money I make from acting, endorsement and from my company Queenth B Venture.   It’s Not because I have too much money ,  just that to make the world a better place is our collective responsibility . We welcome support from from individual and corporate organizations as well. We have a special programme annually for the widows on Val’s day (14^th February every year). We also use the occasion to give awards to distinguished Nigerians from all works of life.  And by the grace of God , I will carry on for as long as I live. 

Thanks for your Time.

You are most welcome.  

Pix 1 Ambassador Queen Blessing Ebigieson.by Facebook.com
Pix 2 Queen Blessing Foundation Visit to Modupe Cole Memorial Home.by;hellosurulere.blogspot.com
Pix 3. Dr Jimi Agbaje,Former Governorship Aspirant ,Lagos State. Presenting a Sew machine to a widow at the 2018 Queen Blessing Foundation ,widows support project. by :google .com