President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria created a $200M intervention fund for the creative and entertainment sector. Two years later, Doctor Bello, a Tony Abulu movie has become the first beneficiary. The fund is kept with the Nigerian Export and Import Bank-NEXIM.
Dr. Roberts Orya – NEXIM
As the Chief Executive Officer of NEXIM, Dr. Roberts Orya has mentioned that “Any company in Nigeria can benefit from the facility provided that it is legally registered / incorporated in Nigeria; operates in the entertainment and creative industry; not owned by government (federal, state or local); and it is not an oligarch business interest that may interfere with content policy for its own interests.”
L-R; Dr. Roberts Orya, Vivica A. Fox, Tony Abulu
He added that most Nollywood filmmakers could not access the fund because they lack auditable business structure. He said although the mandate of the bank is to generate inclusive growth, the project remains a loan scheme, which must yield returns. One of NEXIM’s core mandates is to promote indigenous Nigerian products for exports. The epidemic level of piracy now tormenting Nigerian movies has made it difficult for any fund provider, especially a bank to commit their funds into either its production or distribution. Yet, NEXIM must find a way to achieve its core mandate, which was why according to the bank, they decided that if there is no indigenous Nigerian movie that can be safely promoted for export, they might as well create one as a model, hence their funding support for Tony Abulu’s film meant for distribution offshore, but all the same, a Nigerian product that NEXIM can associate with and tout as the evidence of achieving their mandate.”
L-R: Caroline Okolo, Dr. Roberts Orya, Tony Abulu
Dr. Robert Orya attended University of Ibadan, Nigeria and graduated with an M.Sc in Banking and Finance. His experience spans over 25 years in Banking and Finance covering Investment, Commercial and Mortgage Banking, having worked in several Financial Institutions.His career in banking began in February 1984 when he joined the services of International Merchant Bank Plc and worked up until September 1990 when he left to join Credite Bank of Nigeria Limited briefly as a pioneer staff. He was then seconded to Prime Merchant Bank Ltd in July 1991 as Head of Foreign Operations.
Orya subsequently moved to Pace Mortgage Finance Ltd in October 1992 as the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer. He thereafter joined Lobi Bank of Nigeria Ltd in January 1994 and later became the Managing Director and Executive Chairman until January 1998 when he was reassigned to Premier Commercial Bank Plc as an Executive Director. Dr. Orya’s last appointment was as an Executive Director in charge of Capital Markets, Financial Advisory Services and Research & Strategy with Afribank Capital Ltd. He held the position until his recent appointment on 14th August 2009, as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
Geroge Akoji-Associate Editor Trendy Africa USA making a point to Dr. Roberts Orya and Maureen Umeh; FOX NEWS
Dr. Orya is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and London, Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria and Nigeria Institute of Management. He is also a Member of the Institute of Management Consultants.
A Trendy Africa Report in Washington, DC.
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