By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
A group of Indian investors have raised hopes of completing the Millennium Towers in Abuja after the FCT Administration and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture wooed investors to invest in the Millennium Tower and Cultural Center Project.
The Nigeria/Indian Business Council , NIBC, made the promise during a visit the to the FCTA and the Millennium Tower and Cultural Center Project in Abuja on Tuesday.
Minister of Information and Culture Alh. Lai Muhammed who led the delegation of Indian investors to the FCTA also called on the investors to look at the possibility of establishing a Film city within the Cultural Center.
Lai Muhammed said, “I want to say that our efforts of wooing investors is yielding fruits because after the last visit, we had enquiries from some serious investors and this time around, I’m here with the members of the Nigeria India Business Council.”
“The NIBC is made up of Nigerian businessmen and Indian businessmen and they’ve been here to look at where they can invest in area of power, infrastructure, medicine and of course, they also came with their investors from the creative sectors – from the film industry.”
He disclosed that the investors have shown a lot of interest in the Nigerian creative industry and are looking closely at the establishment of film schools and studios very similar to what is obtained in Bollywood in the Cultural Center
The Information Minister, “I think from what we’ve discussed, there is a lot of encouragement coming from them because one of the things that are unique here… they have shown interest in the studios and the films schools.”
“We will continue the conversation and see whether we can actually attract investors that will come and help us to finish this iconic edifice of the Millennium Tower and Cultural center.”
FCT Minister Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello who was represented by the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad urged the investors to take a critical look at the project, which make up the cultural spine of Abuja with a view to opening the windows for more investment in the nation’s capital.
Malam Bello stressed that the Millennium Tower project was very dear to the FCT Administration and is optimistic that when completed it will not only open up the FCT and boost tourism and commercial activities, but would also yield a lot of financial benefits for investors.
Speaking after a tour of the Millennium Tower a member of the delegation and Creative Producer in Bollywood India, Aasia Abbas expressed excitement at the benefits of investing in the FCT’s cultural edifice.
She said, “We feel there is so much potential and it is definitely worth investing in. I see a big future for Nigerian film industry with so much content. Nigerian musicians are already world famous now and there are so many of these artists who are going to America and recording these songs. Why can’t they record it here? The talent is there, so all you need is a good studio.
According to the Bollywood Creative Producer, the idea is to harness and make the Nigerian talent a global platform that will attract people and students from , Africa coming to FCT to studying, learning, developing and producing contents just like People go to America, the New York Film Academy.
Why shouldn’t they come to Abuja Film School”? she asked.
