By MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU

IN a country, where movie industry is globally adjudged the third largest growing movie industry in the world; and where the manifestation of this assertion is seen in the prolificity of the number of reality shows, musical videos and soap operas that dot the nooks and crannies of private and public screens across the country, it only becomes logical, that industry watchers and stakeholders become concerned about the quality of technical accomplishments emanating from the industry so as to help the industry remain in the position of lead.

Moved to seeing to the realisation of this laudable objective, the Management of Nubia House Players, the producers of popular Reality Show television program; Private Sector instead of remaining in movie production veered off to establishing a specialised institute for the training of artists in all spheres of movie production.

Presenting 90 pioneer students of the NUBIA Art School , who are registered for various 6 months Certificate Programs during the School’s first Induction/Matriculation ceremony penultimate week in Lagos, the Executive Director of the School Adebayo Ojo explained that he was moved to establishing the school because he wanted to ensure that professionalism and the best standard is employed in the emerging movie industry in the country.

Emerging movie industry

At the well attended event, which drew attendance from different strata of society including Mr Sowumi Akinniyi of Popemam Limited, who also served as Associate Producer of Private Sector, Barrister Tunji Bamugingbgbin, Comrade Abdulkareem Motajoof and Engineer Rauf Adesoji Aregbosola, one time, Osun State Action Congress Gubernatorial candidate, veteran politician Aregbesola praised the initiative and accomplishment of the school’s Management and therefore, exhorted the students to take the attainment of high proficiency in the skills seriously.

Explaining to Sunday arts the strong points of NUBIA Art School, the Director, Adebayo Ojo revealed that NUBIA stands out as one of the state of the art equipped centers in the country that can boast of grantng  professional education in movie studies and productions because of its rich resource facilities.

According to him; the institute can boast of a fully equipped sound studio, video editing studio, photography studio, costume station and performance stage. Added to these facilities include; a classic video and book libraries.” In our classic video library, we have the American Film Institute best with which we do movie reviews every Saturday.” He said.

Among the pioneer inducting /matriculating students were two Liberian girls; Doris K. Waquo and Linda Saye, who both starred in the staged performance of Queen Amina of Zazzazua presented as part of the ceremony.

Speaking to Sunday arts, the duo of Doris and Linda said that the school was recommended to them by a Nigerian, who lives in Liberian, who saw them act in Liberian Next Movie, a Reality show and felt that they got the talents and needed to develop them..

For them, the sojourn in Nigeria for the program is been  fun.” It is always our passion to be the best in the industry, but as you know, the movie industry in Ghana is not as developed as it is in Nigeria. Though, it is not all fun, we also miss home, but enjoy Nigerian food; especially egusi soup and of course, the amebo thing…” They said giggling.

Asked to talk about the courses designed to help the school achieve its goal of professionalism in movie education, Ojo explained that; Directing, Cinematography, video editing, photography, costume and make up, acting, sound engineering and screen writing have been carefully developed to be taught by professionally trained resource persons.

Also, as part of activities designed to add flavour to the  ceremony was a scintillating stage performance of Queen Amina of Zaria, a play in which Doris and Linda starred as Priestess and Amina Statue respectively.