Nigerian media mogul and founding father of the Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce, has shared how he facilitated $200 million in funding for the leisure business by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In 2010, Mr Jonathan granted the leisure business $200 million, designed as loans and assist for business practitioners.
The previous President, who introduced the fund approval on the thirtieth anniversary of Silverbird, urged the business practitioners to make use of the fund to create jobs and films and construct extra cinemas.
Murray-Bruce, 68, spoke concerning the notorious $200 million lifeline for Nigerian entertainers on the 4th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content material Regulation Convention in Lagos. The convention was organised by the Nigerian Movie and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and attended by PREMIUM TIMES.
The previous senator who represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District in Bayelsa State additionally revealed he was scammed throughout an try to amass a cinema advanced in Kenya.
He maintained that his South African enterprise companion defrauded him of $3.5 million earmarked for the cinema advanced buy.
The enterprise magnate mentioned: “Sooner or later, they referred to as me and instructed me to purchase a cinema advanced in Kenya. I used to be very excited and requested, ‘How a lot is it?’ They mentioned it was $3.5 million. I had a South African companion. Are you aware what he did? He registered the corporate in his identify, and we misplaced $3.5 million.
Article Web page with Monetary Assist Promotion
“So, we’ve been ‘baptised’ many instances. We’ve gone by lots, nevertheless it’s good to chuckle about it now. I’ve a studio in Los Angeles and am at the moment in litigation with one of the distinguished Hollywood stars, however I received’t let you know his identify.”
$200 million
The politician additionally disclosed that when his firm reached a landmark, he approached former President Jonathan for favour which was subsequently granted
“When Silverbird turned 30, I went to President Goodluck Jonathan and mentioned, ‘President Jonathan, I want you to do me a favour.’ He requested, ‘What?’ I replied, ‘I would like you to provide me a gift.’ He then requested, ‘What would you like?’ I mentioned, ‘I would like you to create a fund for the leisure business.’ And he did—he created a $200 million fund.
“The unhappy half is, I by no means participated or took a mortgage from the $200 million. Mo took a big quantity, however I didn’t take any. I mentioned, ‘President Jonathan, you probably did this for me?’ Now, the business is prospering. Reflecting on every thing I’ve completed and what I’ve but to realize, I realise I ought to be doing extra. And I’ll—however we have to do it proper this time,” mentioned the previous Director-Normal of the Nigerian Tv Authority (NTA)”.
Film manufacturing
Murray-Bruce revealed his curiosity in film manufacturing, sharing that he’s engaged on a script to deal with crucial societal challenges.
The alumnus of the College of Southern California in the USA expressed remorse over not pursuing a profession as an actor.
The Lagos-born enterprise mogul mentioned: “So, I’m engaged on some scripts. We’re going to get it proper, and in doing the film, we have to tackle elementary points. Once I started my profession, I began in Los Angeles. It was in 1980. Two years earlier, I used to be at all times on the set of ‘Good Instances’ and ‘Joyful Days’.
“That’s the irony. I ought to have begun my profession in movie, not music. I knew what I wished to do. I didn’t know how you can get there however knew I’d get there by music or movie.”
He famous that copyright points have been rampant throughout his time as a singer in Los Angeles. Upon returning to Nigeria, he discovered compelling causes to battle towards this menace.
“Returning to Nigeria, I saved pondering we would have liked to repair this. Right now, you’re selling African music the world over. The world has modified. We’re partnering with a few of you right here immediately. We’ll buy a cinema chain worldwide to point out our films for not less than 1000 years. No one goes to provide it to you. I’ve met all the main gamers on planet Earth.
“We will seize the second and say, can we need to make $50 million within the field workplace? A $100 million within the field workplace? Is it rocket science? No. Is there a course of? Sure. Is there a distinction between a black man, a white man, a Chinese language man, and a Japanese man? No, the distinction is the atmosphere”, mentioned Murray-Bruce.
Assist PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Instances, we firmly consider within the significance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everybody can afford pricey information subscriptions, we’re devoted to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked information that continues to be freely accessible to all.
Whether or not you flip to Premium Instances for each day updates, in-depth investigations into urgent nationwide points, or entertaining trending tales, we worth your readership.
It’s important to acknowledge that information manufacturing incurs bills, and we take satisfaction in by no means inserting our tales behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you think about supporting us with a modest contribution on a month-to-month foundation to assist keep our dedication to free, accessible information?
Make Contribution
TEXT AD: Name Willie – +2348098788999
