Would Nollywood, Nigerian Music, Fashion, Comedy industries be where they are today if run by political leaders?

 

Our entertainment industry has grown from nothing to something over the years and it still waxes stronger and stronger. In that regard, Nigeria is getting to world class level that it competes with the bests in the World. That Nollywood is ranked number two in the world today is not a joke. That most of our music artistes and comedians are globally recognized today is not by accident. Our entertainment industry has been able to achieve this feat because talented young Nigerians stood up and took the bull by the horn and worked hard and persevered until success was achieved. They sure have carved a niche for themselves and for the country as a whole. Isn’t this example a good enough reason to tell us that nothing is unachievable provided we put hard work, determination, perseverance, focus and of course God (I mean, we’ve got to be alive to work) into it? Now, I’ve asked myself questions as to why the Nigerian economy seems not to be working if this simple logic applies. I came to the conclusion that it is because the people in charge (politicians) are either doing little or doing nothing. And I asked myself again, if the entertainment industry were run by the government, would it be where it is today? Without fear or favour, the answer is a big NO! I mean, the entertainers started with little or no money, in most cases (at least, I’ve been privileged to hear from some of the founding fathers of Nollywood on how some government stakeholders refused their requests for sponsorship then), yet they grew drastically within a short space of time WHEREAS our political leaders had all the money yet did so visibly little for the economy.

Why can’t our leaders emulate their foreign counterparts? Must we continue to hide under the umbrella of a developing or is it under-developed country and slow down developments in the country when we should strive hard to meet the World standard like our entertainment industry has done? If our leaders could throw away selfishness to the dust and use our resources and allocation money for the purpose they are meant, this country could compete with the United States and China in economic and living standards in fifteen years’ time. You don’t believe it?

For example, Nollywood is ranked number two in the world of movies worldwide after Hollywood which seats at number one. Isn’t this great? Think about it. I mean, Nollywood came out from nowhere to occupy that position beating the India movie industry (Bollywood) to it.

Now, Hollywood stars and American music artistes are very much eager to collaborate with their Nigerian counterparts. Even our gospel music is no exception.

On this note, I would like to give a shout to all the people in our entertainment industry who are making it happen, especially, to these topnotchers – Ramsey Nouah, Genevieve Nnaji, Zeb Ejiro, Timi Dakolo, Don Jazzy, Emem Isong, Desmond Elliot, AY, Ali Baba, Basketmouth, Frank Edwards, Id Cabasa, Chioma Ude (AFRIFF boss), Amaka Igwe(of blessed memory), Nkem Owoh, Raw nwanne, Tuface Idibia, D’banj, Ben Murray-Bruce, Waje, Cobhams Asuquo, Rita Dominic, Uche Jumbo, Linda Ikeji… Too numerous to mention.