Anthonia Soyingbe / Senior Reporter
As part of campaign strategy ahead of March 28 presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan last Sunday in Lagos hosted some showbiz practitioners at an interactive session.
Though only five persons were permitted to ask the President questions, among them was ace comedian Ali Baba who told Jonathan that the industry is not really in need of the President’s largesse but rather, what they need is an enabling and conducive environment where they can make money with their creative works.
However, hate him or love him, President Goodluck Jonathan since he came into office after the death of his former principal President Umaru Yar’Adua, has been the darling of many showbiz practitioners. While some of his critics said it is a gimmick to use entertainers to score cheap political points others believe his intentions are genuine as he meant well for the industry. Little wonder entertainers flock around him.
The President has often through the sacked president of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo Fiberesima, hosted entertainers; though some say entertainers only visit him to have a share in the national cake.
He loves entertainers and some of them love him in return or what would have propelled Toyin Aihmaku to announce at a public event recently that she can die for PDP?
Before the 2011 general elections, President Jonathan as part of his campaign strategies had appease to entertainers promising to invest a huge sum of money into the industry so as to aid them financially.
Again, the president had promised Nollywood practitioners during a special dinner organised to celebrate Nollywood’s 20 years of existence, N3bn as an intervention fund for the industry. Not minding the political undertone, many eulogized him for identifying with the industry. Unfortunately, the intervention fund in no small way brought about rift between some of the practitioners.
Different parallel groups sprang up just to achieve their agenda of sharing of Jonathan’s cake to the entertainment industry. Till date there are still lots of wrangling due to the intervention funds.
Questions that may never be directly asked Mr. President:
Daily Independent asked the following entertainers – “If given the opportunity, what burning question will you ask President Jonathan? These were their responses:
Etcetera, musician:
“Where is the $200 million you promised to invest in the Nigerian entertainment industry and how are you going to ensure that it is used for the development of the industry and not to develop the belly of few individuals?
Yemi Solade (Actor and Chairman Theatre and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPPAN)
“I won’t go close to President Jonathan because I am not in the league of sycophantic practitioners who eulogize the president who we all know is weak. I won’t have any reason to ask the president anything because I don’t need anything from him. He doesn’t matter in my life”.
Dotun Ajala (Chairman of Moyinnet Films and music promoter)
“If given the opportunity, I will ask him to inject more funds into the industry. We find it very hard whenever we want to make use of government facilities. I will ask him to provide more support for our industry and for promoters to have more access to fund”.
Baba Ayewa (Seasoned gospel singer)
“To me piracy is the major killer of our industry because it is affecting us all. If government can take care of this, even the government and we practitioners will benefit immensely. We also need more representatives in government because entertainers have great role to play in development of Nigeria”.
Ifeoma Okeke (actress)
“In fairness to President Jonathan, he has been supporting the industry right from his days as a deputy governor in Bayelsa State. For me if given the opportunity, I will ask him when the promised fund will be released so the up and coming artistes can benefit from it”.
Yinka Ogundaisi (scriptwriter)
What are the criteria he used in appointment of those he put in charge of agencies like Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Nigeria Films Commission, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission and other agencies?
LKT (musician)
“Sir, please we know you love entertainment and entertainers are always around you, what have you done for this industry since you assume office? We only read on the pages of newspapers but noting to show for it. Until we deal with piracy, we will not make headway”.
Thelma O’Khaz (actress and singer)
“Mr. President, is your recent attention to the entertainment sector because of your re-election campaign or part of the transformation and progress which we all pray for in a true democratic era?”
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