Memories of the just concluded third edition of Wetin Lawyers Dey Do…Sef; a programme dedicted to the entertainment industry under the theme; The entertainment product: What is it and who owns what Organized by Dtalkshop, publishers of TAKAii magazine, the talkshop would for long time to come remain in the minds of participants and guests.
At the entrance of the Shell Hall of Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, a huge carpet with the inscription Wetin Lawyers Dey Do Sef for the entertainment industry welcomed guests and participants to the yearly discourse.
Inside the hall, were banners decorated with black and yellow colours and placed at strategic locations by the various sponsors. The seating arrangement was unique as the audience surround the stage which was placed at the central part of the hall.
In her welcome address, Kaine Agary, disclosed that the third edition of the entertainment industry was a continuation of efforts towards contributing to the development of the entertainment industry. The workshop according to her aimed at providing vital information to practitioners in the industry through detailed discussions by seasoned professionals to enable practitioners identify, enforce and protect their intellectual properties and bring them up to date with the current trends and facilities in the industry.
A number of professionals spoke on various issues concerning the industry. Among these Bunmi Davis, a comedian who noted that comedians should take comedy as a passion and they should not go into it because of the money. He decried the challenges facing the industry such as epileptic power supply, lack of venue, finance etc but comedians should be engaged profitably and not use these challenges as an excuse for laziness. Davis enjoined comedians to be ethical in their profession, they should always be time conscious during their performances and they should stop the use of pidgin English during performances.
Austin Eruka who spoke on the film and television industry urged broadcast stations in the country to make good use of ‘chroma’ in their productions and use cyber shots effectively. Eruka also commended Nigerian banks for showing interest in the entertainment industry and called on marketers to give the Nigerian Film and Video censors Board (NFVCB) full support.
Mahmoud Ali-Balogun, said there should be structures in the country to support the industry and that there is need for proper training of members. Ali-Balogun also noted that practitioners should be well trained as a way of avoiding mediocres to hijack the industry. He urged practitioners to get funds so that they would be able to produce quality films in the country.
Abiodun Kupoluyi a representative on Dove Media noted that the entertainment industry is growing because of the role played by the media and believes that it would get better. He enjoined celebrities to see the media as people who would help their profession adding that artistes should engage the services of managers who could manage their businesses well. He advised entertainment writers to put development at the center of their reporting and that they should be promoters of the industry and not a threat.
Also Soibifaa Dokubo, photo-documentarist noted that photographers record events which would be documented later and that not everybody that handles a camera is a photographer. He enjoined photographers to focus on places that could serve a tourist centers to foreigners. He decried the situation whereby photographers are harassed or their cameras seized for lack of professional conduct.
Niji Kazeem, a lawyer said that the entertainment industry should not condone any form of laxity. He urged people to seek the services of lawyers, who would advise them on what to do whenever they want to set up a private or public company. He also enjoined practitioners to be careful when they want to sign a contract so that they would not be shortchanged by people.
Efere Ozako, a lawyer was happy to see the entertainment industry grow from one height to another. He therefore urged practitioners to be proud of their products and they should license their products rather than sell them outrightly.
Participants at the talkshop received resource materials aside having the opportunity to debate on issues and ask questions during the interactive sessions.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with stakeholders in the entertainment industry, including the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Justice, Legal Practitioners and private entrepreneurs. Others are Multichoice Nigeria, Nigerian Film Corporation, DALI Communications, Laredo Foods and BoBTV.
