EFCC Partners AMP, Garner Strategic Films For Anti-Corruption Campaigns

EFCC Partners AMP, Leverages Entertainment Industry For Anti-Corruption Advocacy.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is considering a collaboration with the Association of Movie Producers, AMP, towards boosting the advocacy against corruption and financial crimes. In this collaboration, films and other forms of creative content to relay anti-corruption messages will be utilized to promote greater awareness around the work of the commission.

The proposal was deliberated upon when the National President of AMP, Amb. Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson led FTC Chapter AMP members, namely the Chairman of the Abuja Chapter, Dr. Chris Oge Kalu, Publicity Secretary, Desmond Utomwen, former Chairman Amb. Imaob ong Abia National member Barbara Odoh. The delegation were received on behalf of the Chairman by the EFCC Secretary, Muhammad Hammajoda as well as other EFCC officials including the Deputy Director/Head of EFCC Radio, Nwanyinma Okeanu, Head, Media and Publicity Dele Oyewale, Chris Oluka and Ola Oji.

Amb. Dr. Blessing Ebigieson called for AMP and EFCC partnership to reach a wider variety with the anti-corruption messages. She asserted the importance of training opportunities for the AMP members so that films convey the right messages and increase public knowledge about the EFCC’s work, through appropriate movements.

According to Amb. Dr. Ebigieson, AMP is the first of its kind in Nollywood and represents over 10,000 members across 28 state chapters, the FCT and diaspora, therefore in effect representing, protecting, and promoting the collective interests of the producing team in film, television and news media. The association, which is registered over 27 years ago, is dedicated to maintaining fundamental values that serve the industry in equal measure.

“We have about 4,500 staff in EFCC doing financial crimes resolution in a country of over 200 million people, so the proposed partnership is welcomed,” Muhammad Hammajoda, a spokesman for EFCC, told the Deutsche Presse-Anti-corruption department.

A vicar for EFCC stated that in his opinion, foreign media portray Nigeria in bad light if they are always depicted then it does not bring a good name to the country, but they are not helping with the foreign media therefore they are working with the film producers so that the narrative can change and Nigeria can get good name. Though the EFCC has a tight budget for strategic advocacy, Joda said that the commission would be open to partnership opportunities with AMP.

The discussed collaboration will help EFCC appreciate the usefulness of creative media in promoting societal change. It aims to supercharge global and national efforts to combat financial crime and corruption.

The Commission thereafter adorned Dr. Ebigieson as an EFCC anti-corruption Ambassador; thus, the process of the planned collaboration was enabled.