Jaiye Ojo...beginning of new dawn for ITPAN
By Kabir Alabi Garba of The Guardian
Published: November 19, 2006
Print   

The Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), since inception, has been upbeat about the quality of production in the country. With virile leadership, the group has positioned itself as a strong force in the development of a true Nigerian film culture. Through funds and support from the French government, members have been assited in producing quality works that has raised the status of the industry even at the international level. It also established Film and Video Development Fund to serve as a major tool to the realisation of the dreams of many film talents. Recently, the association's leadership changed with Jaiye Ojo taking over from Femi Odugbemi as the president. Ojo, who had served as the director of publicity of the the association years back, reveals in this encounter with KABIR ALABI GARBA, how he intends to sustain the dynamic and committed programmes of the association.

BEFORE his election into office, he was not an executive. In fact, he had been outside the executive of the association for four years, though, he was a member of the council. He, however, said he had the privilege of seeing the association from outside and inside.

His words: "I have the opportunity of been very close with the leadership of the association, and have been an active member, following very closely, all that is going on in the association."

According to him, "I have the privilege of building relationships, both professional and personal. I have some level of inside knowledge about the working of the association. I have good relationship with all the key players in the industry, especially in ITPAN."

While appreciating the efforts of the previous executives to make the association great, he stressed that ITPAN has been very lucky and blessed to have outstanding presidents who have stirred it and who have been very diligent towards its affairs. Those who pursued a vision towards excellence in professionalism.

"One is proud to be associated with an association of this nature, it has become the perfect leader, and the leading association in this industry. We are ready to move forward," Ojo confessed.

On what are his programmes as the new president to sustain and improve the association's status, he has this to say: "The new executives will make efforts to complement the programmes of the past executives over the years. One thing is that we pursue the welfare of our membership more vigorously. There are issues that pertain to the industry in which we operate. There is need for us to create a better environment that will be of great benefit to the Nigerian population."

ITPAN

He continued, "of course, that would come with benefits for professionals who are members of ITPAN, uplifting sensitive responsibilities, to improve on what Nigerians see and hear in order to grow this generation. Freedom is determined by who you are, and television plays a role. What you feed people with, would determine who they are."

He also said, "if we feed them with garbage, they become generation of very low standard. We think we would be in vanguard of how we use the media in this country."

The new ITPAN boss also promised that his administration would see to the welfare of members so as to enhance opportunities for them, at the sametime, providing a more conducive environment. "The case of training is also important to us," he insisted.

At the last AGM, the membership of ITPAN took a new look on the ways its training should take. When the training school was started years ago, it was primarily to build the membership of ITPAN, that is, the staff who work as corporate members.

"It was basically to provide service for our members. In this new dispensation, we are looking at a training school that would service the Nigerian community, much more than membership of ITPAN, developing new courses," Ojo affirmed.

Apart from the short courses, he noted that there will be six months, one year and post graduate programmes, and also, programmes for new entrants into the management level of the industry. "We need to build a new generation of managers and professionals, also, we are looking at a training school that would be commercialised, and will be much more efficient," he stressed.

According to him, "it is special school, which would be the first of its kind in Africa. We are upgrading the facilities, audio-visual and also, are looking at affiliation with tertiary institutions, within and outside the country. It would be the first of it in Africa and exemplary in Nigeria. Those are things we are seriously looking up to accomplish in this dispensation."

On the issue of national development, there is a school of thought that feels that foreign programmes have taken over the tube, and the resultant effect is moral degeneration. What does he think ITPAN can do in this respect?

He remarked that because television is being taken over by foreign programmes, and as a result, "it is actually affecting our thinking and our orientation."

The ITPAN boss said he is very sensitive to this sentiment about this perception, "but they are a lot of good things in foreign programmes, depending on which one we are talking about now. Each foreign programme comes with its own baggage of other things that are not in the best interest of our society and the future of our young ones. So, we need to be alert and very careful on what we allow in Nigeria television. This is my own personal opinion. I do not think foreign programmes should be allowed the free chance during prime time on television."

Page 1 of 2 | Next Page »