The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has urged Nigerian movie producers to enhance the incorporation of indigenous attires in domestically made films.

In a statement conveyed by his media aide, Caleb Nor, the Executive Secretary, Chief Biodun Ajiboye, emphasized that this approach would foster a positive cultural identity for the nation.

He pointed out that films serve as avenues through which young people select role models from actors; furthermore, they are powerful tools for influencing behavior and reshaping the values of citizens.

“There is a need for us to build a cultural identity for Nigeria and in doing so, we must start from our dressing and once that is done, we can be rest assured that we are on the pathway of creating a national identity that will distinguish us as a people.”

“I am calling on all movie producers in Nigeria to incorporate a substantive content of our dress culture while producing films and make cultural dressing as a dress code for people coming for movie premieres as a way of promoting our culture,” he said.

Ajiboye noted that Nigeria needed positive global attention.

He said if Nigeria’s indigenous dresses were showcased and given priority attention in the conduct and content of locally-produced movies, it will go a long way in heightening the nation’s international cultural diplomacy objectives.

NICO had earlier called on the Management of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), which is the federal government’s regulator for films and other video works, to ensure the inclusion of at least 20 per cent of cultural content in all films produced in the country.