Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has said a new Nollywood movie, The Herd, has done significant damage to Nigeria and Islam.

The movie showcases the issue of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria, with the acts mostly attributed to the Fulani ethnic group.

According to him, the movie will deter foreign investors. He, however, failed to state how the movie damaged Islam.

Omokri said on Facebook, "While I admire the cinematography of the Netflix movie The Herd, the film does significant harm to the image of Nigeria and Islam. Yes, I admit we have a challenge with insecurity. However, projecting Nigeria in the manner our society is cast in the movie adds to the reputational damage Nigeria is facing.

"No foreigner who watches the Herd will have a positive image of Nigeria, and they will be less likely to visit or invest in our country after watching this opus.

"Yes, Nigeria is currently catching some serious bad press. But we should be the ones countering it, not adding to it.
The movie will obviously make a lot of money for the producers, but if you watch movies from other countries, you will notice that they go to great lengths to paint their countries in as positive a light as they can, even when those countries have their own challenges.

"For example, the US has a serious gun crime issue, as well as a high murder rate. America also suffers from appallingly high drug abuse rates of about 4000 per 100,000 persons. But you do not see this reflected in their movies. When you watch an American movie, you are often watching an advert that makes you fall in love with the USA.

"In your excitement about the quality production of the movie, you may not see it now. But in a few weeks or months down the line, when you are having an online argument with a foreigner, they will (not may) use the happenings in this movie against you. Are you not a Nigerian? Is this not what happens in your country?"

ASA