People may call it a rare dinner for strange bed fellows, but Monday’s meeting and felicitation with actors and musicians by President Goodluck Jonathan was indeed, a welcome development. For the first time ever, a Nigerian leader had time to sit with artistes in a relaxed atmosphere to deliberate on issues that can move their profession forward.
And so, actors; particularly Nollywood stars, musicians, dramatists, visual artists, writers, producers,comedians, among many others, had the privilege of dining and wining with Mr President at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a unique gathering of who is who in Nigeria’s creative and showbiz sectors.
The roll call was simply intimidating as artists of different generations; the old, the middle-aged, the young and the very young came to heed President Jonathan’s call for wider consultations and mutual interaction. Among those in attendance were foremost painter and print maker, Bruce Onobrakpeya, music lover and playwright; Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, famous batik maker Nike Okundaye, top Nollywood stars/filmmakers Justus Esiri, Eddie Ugbomah, Olu Jacobs, Lere Paimo,Jimoh Aliu, Enebeli Elebuwa, Mahmoud Ali-Balogun as well as singers Onyeka Onwenu, Sammy Okposo, Daddy Showkey, D’Banj, Azu Ekiye, Victor Eyiara, among many others.
Essentially, the stakeholders’ meeting with the President raised hopes of a better tomorrow for the body of Nigerian artists, who were offered an opportunity to air their views on issues afftecting their different professions. The artists too showed solidarity with the President’s mission, while exuding enthusiasm in meeing their leader face to face in a relaxed atmosphere.
Witha curtain raiser in Jim Jakolo’s melodic solo, the colourful evening took off with Oronto Douglas’ introductory remarks. As the President Special Assistance on Research, Documentation and Stragegy, Douglas reminded the gathering of the various achievements of his boss, who is seeking another opportunity to rule the country in the April elections. He disclosed Jonathan’s commitment to a progressive and peaceful nation, using the platform of good governance that places value on energy, security and education.
Long befor the President’s response, representatives of the various arts organisations and associations made their contributions while the President listened attentively. At the end of the “Talk To President” session, one thing was clear-that without getting rid of piracy, or reducing it to the barest minimum, the entire creative/entertainment industry would know no respite because all the gains by practitioners would continue to be harnessed illegally by pirates. Among the various speakers were Busola Halloway(ITPAN), Alhaji Sani Muazu(Kaniwood), Greg Odutayo(NANTAP), Dr Uwa Usen (SNA), Pof Emmanuel Dandaura (SONTA),Dr Sony Ododo (ANA),Ben Tomoloju (CONA), Victor Ashaolu (ANTP),Amaka Igwe, Segun Arinze (Actors Guild),Zeb Ejiro, Tony Okoroji, Austin Eguavon (who spoke for sportsmen and women)and Stephane Okereke.
In his response, President Jonathan disclosed that his consultation with members of the creative community was strategic. According to him, the idea was not merely to canvass votes in view of the elections but to interact with artists and intellectual property owners on the possibility of creating jobs for the youth. Jonathan who described artists, writers and sportsmen as specially gifted people also obeserved that as a nation, Nigeria can make a good name out of creativity.
President Jonathan who said that his aim was to identify possible areas of partnership with artists on job creation also said’’ The arts and entertainment sector is a key sector of our economy and government needs to be closer to the industries. We know that without handling piracy, we cannot succeed and we need a strong body that can look at the existing laws with the hope of strenghtening them to deal with the culprits.
On the issue of 200million dollars entertainment fund, I can assure you that government will continue to provide more funds to empower the sector as at when necessary. The one we released is just the starting point. We shall be making more funds available as long as we deem it necessary.’’
