Haitian rapper and musician, Wyclef Jean, is set to visit Plateau State on December 28, 2023, to host a peace concert and lay the foundation for the groundbreaking National Film Village.
This film village, a first of its kind in Africa, aims to be a creative hub for emerging talents not only in Plateau but also from across the continent.
The National Film Village project is expected to be a game-changer in the local and global entertainment landscapes.
It will feature cutting-edge music and movie studios, fostering equitable wealth distribution and providing a platform to showcase the talents of Plateau’s youth on the global stage.
Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Joshua Laven, explained, “We want to develop a state-of-the-art film village, first of its kind in Africa here. Wyclef Jean is coming on December 28, 2023, for a peace concert and then lay the foundation for the film village. The governor has got the commitment of all developers with a view to hitting the ground running.”
General Manager of Jos Metropolitan Development Board, Hart Bankat, expressed satisfaction with the chosen sites for the projects, emphasizing their alignment with the Governor of Pleateu State, Caleb Mutfwang mandate to implement the greater Jos masterplan.
The partnership aims to establish a technology and infrastructure hub covering 4000 hectares of land within the state.
Wyclef is also set to visit Jos early next year to participate in the Incredible Music Festival, hosted by Nigerian rapper Jude “MI” Abaga.
MI, serving as an honorary adviser on entertainment and creativity to the Plateau state government, collaborates with Jean in the execution of this project.
“This partnership represents a fusion of creativity, sustainability, and economic empowerment. We are bringing the music of innovation to the world, and the world to the music of Nigeria. Together, we are creating harmony in both art and commerce, setting a new standard for a brighter, greener future,” expressed Wyclef Jean.
The Plateau film village will incorporate a music and movie studio, acting as a creative incubator for emerging talent, providing them with access to top-notch equipment and facilities.
The hub will operate on green technology, aligning with the global trend toward sustainability.
In 2020, Wycleft’’s Carnival World Music Group secured $25 million in capital funding to invest in music publishing and production in underserved markets, including parts of Africa and the Caribbean.
Wyclef Jean, born in Haiti, maintains a strong connection to his African heritage and often refers to Haitians as “the Nigerians of the Caribbean.”
A DNA ancestry test has reportedly confirmed that he is “almost 100% Nigerian.” His musical journey has been deeply influenced by his Haitian and African roots, fostering a unique blend of sounds.
