By Ochiaka Ugwu
The Permanent Secretary of Nigerian Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad has described Korean film Festival as significant events fostering cultural relationship between the Nigerian and Korean communities.
Muhammad who made this known at the Opening Ceremony of the 13th Korean Film Festival in Abuja Thursday said the Korean entertainment industry has fostered worthy relationship between Nigeria and the Korean people over the years.
Muhammad represented by the Assistant Chief Protocol Officer of the Ministry, Samuel Okpevor said the event has strengthened cultural ties between both countries, Nigeria and the Korean Peoples.
While commending Korean Ambassador to Nigeria and Director of Korean Cultural Centre for organizing the event, enjoined all participants to key into the Korean Cultural Festival saying that its history and values can inspire Nigerian artists and film makers.
Continuing, he said the festival was a testament to the growing bond between both countries and encouraged all guests to enjoy the festival, learn from each other, forge meaningful connections with the aim of promoting cross cultural understanding and cooperation.
His words, “It is with great pleasure that I am here today standing before you to witness this epoch-making event of the 13th Korean Film Festival.
“Permit me to affirm that the Korean film Festival has become a significant events fostering cultural relationship between the Nigeria Arts Community and Korean community. Over the years, the Korean entertainment industry has fostered worthy relationship between Nigeria and the Korean people.
“The president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda is geared towards fostering old diplomatic relationship between old countries.
“Let me also refer to this event for strengthening cultural ties between both countries, Nigeria and the Korean People.
“The Nigerian Film industry, the Nollywood has come a long way to stay and it is getting local visibility that it deserves. And we are proud of what we have achieved so far in the entertainment industry. Young artists in Nigeria are doing music and dance at the international level highlighting shared cultural ties and affinities and intense people to people connections.
“I hereby enjoin us to key into this event, the Korean Cultural Festival. History and values which can inspire Nigerian Artists and Film makers. The festival is a testament to the growing bond between both countries. I commend the Korean Ambassador and KCCN Director for organizing this event at international level.
“I encourage all the guests to enjoy the festival, learn from each other, forge meaningful connections. Together, we can promote cross cultural understanding, cooperation. I wish to thank the organizers of this great event for putting together a successful program of this magnitude solidifying cultural ties between both countries. I wish the festival a resounding success” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of Nigerian Film Festival Association and President of Directors Guild of Nigeria, Uche Agbo who thanked Korean Cultural Centre for organizing the program, said that every film maker and lover of art should appreciate the event.
He said that KCCN has really brought Korean culture closer to Nigerians and should be commended.
His words, “I behalf of about 35 Film Festivals which I represent as their chairman thank the entire organizing team for the event. What is being done today is very significant and worthy of emulation.
“I believe and hope that other cultural centres can replicate such as it offers us the film makers opportunity to tap into the world of cinema of Korea.
“I wish to encourage more of this from other embassies. I want to say that the Nigerian Film Festivals Association as an umbrella body is representing the entire film festivals in the country and want to further engage on promoting films. We are more than willing to cooperate in that regard” he stated.
Speaking earlier, Director of Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), Jeon, Ju Ho said the purpose of the event was to introduce Korean film to Nigeria with the aim of expending the cultural understanding between Nigeria and Korea.
Jeon said it was a way of using film to build bridges of understanding between Korean and Nigerian communities based on People-to-People Connections, noting that it was to connect directly with Nigerian Film Community.
He also revealed their collaboration with Nigeria Film Festival Association to show Nigerian movie at Korean Cultural Centre to connect more with Nigerian audience.
He further stated that the objective was to open Korean culture to Nigerians as the film will depict the societal activities of the Korean people and how they have evolved over time.
The Korean Cultural Centre, Nigeria (KCCN) hosted the 13th Korean Film Festival in Abuja from August 21 to 23, 2025. The program showcased outstanding Korean movies, granting participants the ample opportunity of glimpsing into the Korean society, aspirations, beliefs, values, and dreams, beyond theatre.
