By Brian Etuk
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe is the Managing Director/Chief Executive (First Appointed 2017 & Re-appointed in 2021) of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), where he is championing immeasurable changes and bringing to bear strategic innovations that are positively impacting on Nigeria’s Film Industry, domestic and beyond. These are being achieved through the awesome display of administrative, business, leadership skills and experience acquired during his over thirty-five years of diligent public service.
Focused and determined, Dr. Maduekwe’s quest for good governance, equity, justice and socio-economic development of Nigeria has not been in doubt. Through personal efforts, and with the assistance of those who share his vision of bequeathing to the present and future generations, a nation where peace, justice, freedom and progress shall reign, he has consistently stood tall in all his endeavours, whether as an appointee or in elected positions, numerous of them.
Within the past Six (6) years, Dr. Maduekwe has initiated several reforms aimed at promoting film production activities in Nigeria through the Nigerian Film Corporation. They include: Rebranding the Nigerian Film Corporation, and developing a new focused based pay off line ‘Powering Possibilities’. He rebranded Nigeria’s foremost film festival ZUMA FILM FESTIVAL, from a biennial to an annual film festival commencing, 2017. He established the first Nigerian Film Corporation Cineplex in Lagos, Nigeria; The NFI Mobile Audio-visual Training Platform; three (3) additional outstation NFC offices/centres for innovative training/capacity building in Abia, Delta and Adamawa States; Effected the movement to & commencement of full academic activities of the National Film Institute at its permanent site, Jos, among others achievements.
He facilitated the commencement of the Master Degree in Film Culture & Archival Studies in collaboration with other Foreign & Domestic Academic Institutions at the National Film Institute, Jos as well as the Lagos – Berlin Archival Film Festival (Nigerian & Germany) tagged “DECASIA”. He facilitated the development of a National Film Archival Policy for Nigeria with a view to harnessing the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.
He established the Nigerian Film Parliament and The Rock of Fame Award (Film Production), for the Nigerian Film Industry as well as the development & signing of the first Film Production Cooperation Agreement for Nigeria (Nigeria & France), in January 2020. Similarly, he has initiated the development of a National Data Tariff Policy on Content Distribution in Nigeria, intended to address the challenges of film content distribution. Secured two operational Audio-visual Co-Production Treaties/Cooperation with France and South Africa, along with ten (10) others receiving bureaucratic attention.
Other earlier positions held and duties of Dr. Maduekwe include but not limited to the following; Deputy Chairman, Ministerial Committee for the successful hosting of the West African University Games (WAUG)University of Benin; Deputy Chairman, Ministerial Committee for the Relocation of The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports from Lagos to Abuja; Member, Federal Government Delegation To Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago for Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting; Member, Federal Government delegation to United Kingdom to under study ethnic diversity harmonious mechanisms in governance; Head of Media Unit, Buhari Support Group Center (BSGC); Director, Media, Information Management & Tech. Directorate Buhari Support Organisations (BSO); and Member, Media Committee, APC Presidential Campaign Council.
He was elected, Member, Federal House of Representatives (Third Republic) and served as Chairman, House Committee on Defence (1992-1993); National Chairman, Amalgamation of Nigerian Youths Association (1995-1996); Special Assistant (YOUTH DEVELOPMENT) to the Honorable Minister of Youth & Sports (1995); Honorable Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission, The Presidency (1995-2001); Senior Management Staff, Petroleum Equalization Fund (Mgt.) Board (2001-2010).
In recognizing his contributions to the development of the Asaga Community in Ohafia Local government of Abia State, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe was installed Ishinka Ohafia, in January 2022, by the Ohafia Council of Monarchs, and again recognized and conferred with the prestigious and revered Ezie Akpan title. Literally translated as the Sheriff, Dr. Madwekwe is now the head of the Ohafia Traditional Institution saddled with the task of maintaining law, order; and by extension, the promotion of equal rights and justice within the entire 26 communities that make up the Ohafia nation of Abia State, in South East Nigeria.
He is currently a Board Member of the National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, and happily married with children and grand children.
*Brian Etuk, is Director, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Film Corporation
