Theatre arts experts have called on Nollywood artists to use their movies in the fight against harmful traditional practices that violate human rights.

The experts spoke during a colloquium organized by Igbinedion University to mark the 50th birthday of renowned Nollywood filmmaker, Lancelot Imasuen, on Thursday in Okada, Edo State.

The colloquium was entitled “Cultural Revival through the Screen”.

Prof. Irene Agunloye of the University of Jos, Plateau State, in her presentation, noted that some cultural practices posed a threat to the empowerment of women and their rights, hence the need for cultural transformation through a medium such as a film.

The professor of African Drama, Gender, Women and Film Studies said since culture is man-made, it was amenable to transformation, particularly in those areas that violate women’s rights such as Female Genital Mutilation, among others.

While analyzing Imasuen’s production titled: ”Wede”, Agunloye said the Nollywood director demonstrated commitment to women-centered issues which he projected unequivocally in the movie.

“His message in this film is that though leadership in our society is generally patriarchal, it does not imply that women are powerless, passive, silent, and ineffectual.

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“In challenging the repressive traditional culture of female genital mutilation, Imasuen shows that social change is inevitable in every society.

“He advocates for constructive and contemporary use of tradition. Imasuen has shown his commitment in using film to campaign against harmful cultural practices that inhibit women from developing their full potentials,” she said.

Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, said Imasuen had carved a niche for himself in the Nollywood industry because his contributions remained indelible as they are words on marble.

According to him, if there are 10 of Imasuen, the Nollywood will be strategically elevated and will not be second to Bollywood in terms of production quantity, but second only to Hollywood in terms of production quality.

Ayakoroma, who is the Head of, Department of Theatre Arts of the university, said Imasuen was the first movie director to initiate cross-border relations in film making in the country.

Ms. Brandi Callum, Founder, Brandi Callum Group International, Georgia, United States of America, in her lecture, applauded the celebrant for creating dignity for African culture through his movies.

Callum, who noted that no Hollywood movies represented Africa in the right way, said the celebrant was making the kind of movies she would have loved to make as a black woman.

Earlier in his address, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the occasion was to provide a unique opportunity for students of Theatre Arts to come face-to-face with veterans.

He said that the creative arts and profit from the Master Class would follow as a major outcome of the colloquium.

The theme of the colloquium, he explained, was carefully chosen to reflect the contemporary challenges plaguing the time-honored cultural values.

”As reflected in the modes of dressing, speech mannerism, and the general behavioral patterns.

“Today, as a university upholding creativity as the honing device of every human developmental quest, we deem it fit to expose our students.

”Particularly those in the Departments of Theatre Arts, English and Literary Studies and Mass Communication to the world.

”Of experiences garnered by the great Nollywood stars here present – a reflection of our Academia-Industry interface endeavor,” he said.

He also said: “It is instructive that all of Lancelot’s film endeavors and the creative impetus injected into them are valued within the academic circles.

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”And indeed, by others within and outside the country. They have received at several times, global acclamations.

“As the premier private university in Nigeria, Igbinedion University’s commitment to academic excellence and scholarship remains unshaken,” he said.

Ezemonye said that no amount of recognition was too much for the celebrant because he had given so much to society by effecting social edification and sustainable national cohesion.

In his remark, the celebrant, Imasuen, commended the university for the honor, pledging that he would be more committed henceforth to pursue social change through the screen.

He noted that there was hope for a better Nigeria because the youths are not lazy, but industrious and creative