Change is still the one thing that remains constant through the years. Those in Nigeria that can attest to this, particularly in the way government has treated them in recent years, are practitioners in the entertainment and arts. Before now, the powers-that-be had little to do with showbiz, let alone dedicating an evening to engage the pathways that lead the power and the arts to common ground.
But President Goodluck Jonathan had, before he was elected to the highest office of the land, courted the friendship of the creatives, leading to his benevolence to the sector in terms of an entertainment fund and grants.
That romance continued on Friday, November 28, at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. Musicians, actors, comedians, artists, writers and a host of others in the sector came in their numbers to have an exchange with the president. Even an unfortunate incident – attack on worshippers in Kano – that day could not stop creatives from expressing themselves.
But before they could speak or mount the podium to do what they know how to do best, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, said the president was in the building but could not attend, as he was grieved due to the Kano blast, a few hours before the event started.
Duke, who brought a message from the president, started by expressing his grief over the victims of the explosion, which took place while the president was on his way to the event, saying the peace of the nation has been shattered and that the blood of compatriots is flowing, over the activities a few hours before.
“Fellow Nigerians, we are here to commemorate 100 years of our nation. As we look at the achievements from the years of our forebears, as we commemorate this evening to the legacy and the achievements of our creative industry.
“Our heads are bowed for the spirit of this nation. This nation is more important than any single individual or group, the spirit that has welded us together for over 100 years will continue,” the minister said.
He explained that what breaks the heart of the leader of one of the foremost black nations on the face of the earth “is the challenge of today, the challenge of insecurity, the challenge of insurgency”.
Duke, who said the president sees the futility of trying to destroy this country, told the audience that the president believes that the efforts of our forefathers will not be in vain.
“When will it stop? When will insurgency stop being the defining element of Nigeria?” he asked.
The answer, he said, is when men and women in the creative industry and community are exercising and exploiting their talent and creativity.
“We must all, with one determination, make up our minds that in our little corners, whether by prayers or information to the security agency, whether by standing up against insurgency, we will mould the spirit of this nation, to move this nation forward, to ensure that transformation is successful, that our children and children’s children will find a wonderful country to live in,” Duke reiterated.
He went on to state that the president asked him to express his appreciation to the creative community, to say that today the creative industry of Nigeria has redefined the positioning of our country in the comity of nations, and this galaxy of stars, who were gathered in the room by their creativity and the hidden talents with which nature and God has endowed them, have continued to win hearts and minds of Nigeria.
He noted that the Nigerian movie industry has become the second largest in the world because of the efforts of the people in the hall, resulting in the creation of jobs.
On the music industry, the minister said the entertainers have redefined music from the continent of Africa and beyond, as all over the world, Nigerian music is played in clubs and lounges.
According to him, works of Nigerian artists adorn Buckingham Palace, while affirming that the Nigerian creative community has moved the country beyond boundaries of Africa.
The minister saluted the creatives then expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; and Chairman of Visafone and Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, for their support.
“Culture is the defining element of our nation. It is the most important commonwealth that we share. It is the truly reflective element of the pride that you and I have,” he said.
Okonjo-Iweala dwelt on the contributions of the creative industry, saying that informed from surveys for the creative industry within YOU WIN, the enterprises have created 5,456 jobs for youths. This, she said, is a very big effort and that a good number of these industries are doing well.
She noted that many have won national and international awards in fashion design and in the creative art, and that in the recognition of the president’s effort in this direction, the Nigerian Creative Entrepreneurs Association, in conjunction with the British Council Nigeria, gave him the award of the best overall contributor to the Nigerian creative industry 2013.
“A N3 billion grant programme was launched by the president to support Nollywood. Till this moment, no government has directly intervened. The project included capacity-building of N300 million, which will enable the industry’s practitioners upgrade their skills and institutions in Nigeria to acquire the necessary capacity to provide the type of services needed,” she said.
The finance minister further said there was a film production fund of N700 million and a distribution fund of N2 billion, to help in distribution of audio-visual content, cut down on piracy and better protect intellectual property in the industry.
“We kicked off the implementation of the project in July last year with capacity-building. So far, 205 individuals, which include 172 males and 33 females, have undertaken several training courses at home and abroad, particularly in the U.S. and India,” she stated.
The minister also noted that for the film production level, they have commenced the rigorous process of training many and giving them funds, adding that a lot of work is being done in the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to see how they can better protect intellectual property.
She also assured that the president is out to support this industry, as he believes in the creative industry and he will not disappoint. In return, he pleaded that the creative industry works with the government to ensure maximum progress.
Renowned Nigerian artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya, expressed his gratitude to the president for his great interest in the creative sector and the efforts of the government to elevate the creative sector to a higher level, where they can continue to play an optimum role in the development of Nigeria.
He went further to say that the occasion provides him the opportunity to plead with Mr. President to look into areas which need urgent attention to facilitate and accelerate the growth of the art sector.
“The first is the implementation of the National Endowment for the Arts, which would include social welfare for the artists and grants to empower them to take care of their various associations and carry out projects.
“The second is the building of infrastructure to showcase artistic products. Top on the list is the National Gallery of Modern Art. This is, in fact, long overdue.
“There is also the need for artists’ communities within the various estates being developed in our cities,” Onobrakpeya stated.
President of the Association for Nigerian Authors (ANA), Remi Raji, requested the government to work with the writers to build strong structures and institutions for Nigerian writers.
Raji explained that the centrality of writing for historical and scientific purpose in a nation cannot be overemphasised.
“We will like an open conversation with the government on how to support the book industry, build enduring structures and institutions for the creative industry. We must bring back the book to stop all menaces facing the country,” he said.
It was indeed an interesting evening with performances from musicians like King Sunny Ade, Onyeka Onwenu, Sunny Neji, Asa, Waje, Omawunmi, Lara George, Timi Dakolo, Cobhams Asuquo and a host of others.
