The National Orientation Agency NOA has taken a bold step to redefine Nigeria's creative future,unveiling the nationalism of Children's Cartoon Content Policy which will be implemented at ratio 70:30.
The Director General of the agency Malam Lanre Issa Onilu who stated this in Lagos at the Lagos International Festival of Animation described the policy as a historic convergence of creativity and national development.
Malam Lanre Onilu said the move is a group breakthrough for the nation's animation industry,thus creating a platform for the industry to reclaim it's story telling identity.
He explained that cartoon consumption in Nigeria must exhibit 70 percent local content laced with national values while foreign cartoons consumption will only be on 30 percent ratio .
He said the new policy was borne out of the necessity to ensure that Nigerian children grow up watching animated stories that reflect their languages,values and traditions and nurturing a stronger sense of national pride.
According to Issa-Onilu cartoons and animations are powerful instruments for national development,capable of shaping values and reinforcing identity,imploring animators,scriptwriters and studios to take ownership of the new opportunity,which he described as both creative and patriotic call to action.
Issa-Onilu also disclosed that NOA was already partnering animation studios to co- create two pilot series aimed at promoting civic education,value Orientation and youth empowerment.
He assured stakeholders that federal government's institutions are aligning with the agency to ensure effective implementation of the policy through collaboration with studios,national broadcast access for local animations and sustainable support guided by National Value Charter.
Some members of the panel , Special Adviser to the minister of Information and National Orientation ,Aisha Adamu Augie , senior Producer at Trigger fish Animation studios in Cape Town,South Africa,Vanessa Siden DG NBC Mr Charles Ibubi among others hailed the policy describing it as a milestone in the effort to strengthen Nigeria's cultural identity,adding that Africa's creative industries will thrive best when stories reflect the continents realities.
