Award-winning film producer, Charles Granville, who recently donated some medical essentials like gloves, sanitisers and face masks towards the fight against COVID-19, has called on stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry otherwise known as Nollywood to deploy their celebrity status to help the country at this crucial moment as the battle against the coronavirus rages.
According to the producer of the anticipated flick, ’30 Pieces of Silver’, at critical moments like this, the creative sector should play a cardinal part by bringing hope to the masses.
In an interview, Granville said: “The world albeit Nigeria is undergoing very trying moments. Everyone understands the situation of the world now. We should not only archive these trying moments as Nollywood practitioners, but become the beacon of hope for the society. As people in the creative sector, there is no better time to put on our thinking caps and design how we can make the era less burdensome for the people, especially the vulnerable members of the society. I think these banks need to stop giving billions to the government. The government has access to funds already and has been mismanaging such funds at the detriment of the masses. If the banks, really want to help stop the spread of COVID-19, they should send money to their customers directly so they can really stay at home. They can see their accounts; many have no hope, especially those hustling on daily basis for what to eat. They can assist them to stay at home, and not the government that has billions already budgeted for healthcare. Please if you have a little to spare, remember others. On the other hand, the Nollywood stars should not only be donating but also use their celebrity status to create awareness on the virus. As role models, people tend to adopt what celebrities do or say, so this is the right time to teach people basic methods that keep the virus at bay. I hope to call on the great actors in our new film, ‘30 Pieces of Silver’ like Enyinna Nwigwe, Nse Ikpe Etim, Jide Kosoko, Collette Nwadike, Keppy Ekpeyong to support the fight against this virus by creating more awareness with their celebrity status.”