Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has expressed concern over the neglect of the Tinapa Film Village in Calabar, Cross River State, calling for urgent steps to restore it to its former glory.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Ms Silva said Tinapa was envisioned as a hub for film-making, tourism and entertainment but now lies dormant, with its facilities underutilised and decaying.

“Tinapa was built to be Nigeria’s Hollywood. It had world-class studios, sound stages and accommodation for film-makers. But today, it’s a ghost of its promise.

“It breaks my heart because that place had the potential to transform our film industry and create jobs for thousands of young Nigerians,” Silva said.

Tinapa Film Village, conceived in the early 2000s, was designed to make Cross River a creative and economic hub.

However, it has suffered years of neglect and underfunding.

Ms Silva said reviving Tinapa should go beyond infrastructure repairs, stressing that the facility represents a dream that once inspired the creative industry across Nigeria and the continent.

“If we can breathe life into Tinapa again, we can revive the heartbeat of Nollywood in the South-South region.

“It could attract global investors, film-makers and tourists. But it requires vision, political will and public-private collaboration,” Ms Silva added.

Her remarks come ahead of the Cross River International Investment Summit scheduled for November17 to 19 in London.

It is themed “Unlocking Opportunities and Driving Sustainable Growth with the People’s First Agenda.”

The summit aims to attract investors, engage the diaspora and spotlight tourism, ICT, renewable energy and creative industries; sectors linked to Tinapa’s original vision for the state.

Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee, Ignatius Oli, said the summit seeks to position Cross River as a leading investment destination in West Africa.

“This summit is not just about attracting funds. It’s about building partnerships that align with Governor Otu’s People’s First Agenda and promote sustainable growth,” Oli said.

Similarly, Chairman of the Cross River Diaspora Commission, Otu Okor, described the summit as a turning point for diaspora-driven investment in the state’s economy.

He said, “Our people in the diaspora are not spectators; they are vital partners in the state’s transformation agenda. The creative economy, including projects like Tinapa, will be a major discussion point at the summit.”

Also, Creative Director of Say It Loud Africa, Femi Oyelade, said a Public-Private Partnership model could transform Tinapa into a thriving creative city powered by local expertise and foreign capital.

Observers believe Silva’s call aligns with the state’s renewed push to attract investment into its creative and tourism sectors through the upcoming summit.

They say reviving Tinapa could re-establish Cross River as a major film and tourism hub while boosting economic growth and youth employment.

(NAN)