The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has said politicians and entertainers must work together to succeed.
He made the assertion in Lagos on Friday while speaking an event organised for entertainers tagged “An Evening with the Vice President.”
According to Osinbajo, “No sensible politician can ignore entertainers; if you do, you do so at your own risk. Entertainers also cannot ignore politicians; it is impossible. If you do, you do so at your own peril.”
He noted that some entertainers were already in politics and urged others to participate in order to make a change and a difference.
Osinbajo used the occasion to reassure stakeholders in the entertainment industry of Government’s continued support to them to enhance national growth and development.
Noting that he had met frequently with entertainers with a view to developing policies around the industry for economy growth, the vice president disclosed that the federal government had created the Technology and Creativity Advisory Council to see how it could move the industry forward through proper policies.
He also disclosed that one of the policies raised was how to address the issue of piracy.
“Already, there is a lot going on. Your industry has to respond to what is going on. This industry is important and crucial to our economy.
“We must set up the environment that will make it happen. No environment is completely ready; whatever it is that we have at the moment, we have to make the maximum use of it to grow this industry.
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“Your support is actually important. What we need to do is to sit together and solve the problem. The country is what it is today because some people stole the treasure.”
Osinbajo told the gathering that the Federal Government has signed treaties with some other countries in a bid to grow the industry adding that the government would use technology to solve the problem of piracy, to make life easier for stakeholders in the industry.
He also revealed that the Federal Government was also working on providing intervention funds for practitioners through the Bank of Industry in a transparent manner adding: “The entertainment industry must be ready to work with the government so as to do things properly through policies. We must do it and deliver. We must be committed to the future of this country.”
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in his own remarks declared that the state has always been the hub for entertainers and would continue to support the industry to grow the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) even as he called for more corporation between the government and entertainers.
Speaking also at the occasion, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, promised support for the industry and assured the entertainers of government’s readiness to help them on issues of legislation.
He described artistes as ambassadors of the country and urged them to promote Nigeria’s oneness.
The Chairman, Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Aduah, lamented that the challenges facing the industry were huge and urged the federal Government to assist in the fight against piracy.
Popular artiste and politician, Desmond Elliott, also lent support to Aduah’s position on the challenges facing the industry. He said: “The problems facing the industry are enormous. The industry is suffering and there is a lot that can be done in the area of funding, copyright and others.
“Nollywood and music have taken this country high. I see no reason why we don’t want to grow this country. It is lucrative and can create a lot of jobs.”
Other speakers at the event identified the challenges in the industry as piracy, distribution of artistic works, poor power supply, lack of infrastructure, censorship, licensing, and access to credit facilities among others.
The event saw a huge turnout of entertainers including actors, comedians and musicians, among other.
