Jonathan proposes ‘hall of shame’

By Lawrence Olaoye

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday proposed that a place to be named Hall of Shame be provided to document names of criminals and societal misfits so as to serve as deterrent to those who may want to indulge in criminality in the country.

The President made the suggestion while giving audience to Legends of Nollywood, led by its Chairman, Paul Obaziele, who had visited him in the Villa to confer on him the honour of the Grand Patron of the body.

Jonathan said immortalizing the names of criminals in the proposed hall would make families and youths not to be attracted to crime as such could bring shame to their names.

“I heard you saying that you are planning a Hall of Fame; I think we start thinking of having a hall of shame where the names of criminals would be written. This will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to indulge in criminal activities as they would not want to spoil their family names,” the President said.

Jonathan, who acknowledged the

contributions made by the actors and actresses in the film industry, also eulogized them for contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, the Nollywood actors have done the nation proud by projecting its culture positively within and outside the country. He said the country used to be proud of soccer stars in the recent past but since the national team has begun to fumble, the Nollywood has overtaken them.

He charged the actors to help project agriculture positively in their movies so that youngsters could develop interest in going into the business while assuring them of government’s support for the production of such movies.

Earlier while addressing the President on behalf of the group, Obaziele had requested for more support from the government in terms of welfare.

He also requested that comprehensive health insurance and pension schemes be created for actors and actresses even as he demanded for the provision of accommodation for those who cannot afford decent housing among his members.

Obaziele equally demanded the establishment of a Film Fund to be managed by government agencies just as he proposed creation of a Hall of Fame for his members who have made names for themselves in the profession.