Nigerian Government Launches TV Series to Showcase Untapped Potential
Hauwa Gidado, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has unveiled a media production titled Hidden Riches, a TV series designed to showcase Nigeria’s vast, untapped solid mineral sector. Produced in partnership with Tech7 Media Productions, the show will air weekly on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) every Saturday from 8:05 to 8:30 PM local time.
At the preview screening in Abuja, Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mary Ogbe expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to educate Nigerians and the global community about the wealth of opportunities hidden beneath Nigeria’s soil.
According to Dr Ogbe, Hidden Riches is “a call to action” aimed at fostering innovation, raising awareness, and building capacity within the sector through the Ministry’s collaboration with Tech7 Media Productions. She said the Nigerian government has reaffirmed its dedication to economic diversification, with solid minerals taking center stage.
“This production could not have come at a better time. Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the federal government has prioritized economic diversification, and the solid minerals sector remains a vital pillar of this agenda,” she noted.
Dr. Ogbe further said that the Hidden Riches initiative aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2020-2022) and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) initiatives. She hopes that this series will spark meaningful discussions, attract investors, and drive policy reforms.
Dr. Ogbe expressed her gratitude to Tech7 Media Productions for bringing this vision to life, thanking President Tinubu for his unwavering support. She also acknowledged the dedication of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. OlaDele Alake in ensuring the sector’s significant contribution to the economy.
During a panel discussion, experts stressed the importance of ensuring local communities benefit from Nigeria’s mining sector. Mr. Patrick Odiegwu, of Pollyguard Investment Nigeria Ltd, highlighted the need for local environments to be developed and for Nigeria to derive maximum benefit from its resources. Mr Odigwu emphasised that foreign investors will always repatriate significant revenue, making local participation crucial. He also called for financial institutions to better understand the mining sector, as access to funding remains a challenge for local players.
Bem Pelver, producer of the drama series Hidden Riches, explained that the show aims to educate audiences and attract investors to the sector.
“Drama is an effective medium for communication,” Pelver stated. “We created relatable characters and situations to help audiences connect with the realities of the sector.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan emphasised the importance of strategic media engagement for public awareness. “Our strategy is to blend information, entertainment, and communication,” Mr. Bamigbetan explained.
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