LONDON SET TO HOST NOLLYWOOD STARS

NIGERIA'S entertainment industry is to receive a fresh impetus as Business in Africa Events United Kingdom (UK) Limited finalized plans to host the first Nollywood film season in the UK in conjunction with Odeon Cinema Chain and Film Africa.

The epoch-making event which is expected to feature 40 performances spanning 10 weeks, would be declared open on October 15, at Leicester Square, London WI.

A statement signed by the managing director of Business in Africa Events, Mr Christian Udechukwu said the opening ceremony would be graced by eminent personalities including senior government officials, ministers, legislators, business leaders, media personalities, diplomats and Nollywood stars from the country as well as the UK.

The event which has the support of the British Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council, marks the first ever significant effort to promote the country's Nollywood films on the same scale and standard the American Hollywood films are promoted in the UK.

Stressing that the Nollywood project has a huge popular appeal amongst black people worldwide, Udechukwu enjoined the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to seize the opportunity of the event to make a statement on the industry.

Udechukwu argued that the industry had the potential to do for the nation what Hollywood has done for America. He said Nollywood films are the next most popular entertainment to football and also Nigeria's most popular export to the world.